We are the Glasgow Ramblers. If you enjoy walking or want to give it a try come and join us.
Helen S.
PLEASE NOTE – registrations open two weeks in advance of the walk (i.e. Saturday 16th August). PLEASE DON’T contact the walk leader until then! Please also remember to include a mobile number when you sign up.
This is an 8 mile circular walk starting from Helensburgh Central station and visiting the summit of Tom na h-Airidh, the hill above Helensburgh and Rhu. From the station, we’ll walk a couple of miles beside the sea to Helensburgh sailing club, then up a residential road to Duchess Wood. We’ll stop for coffee in this attractive community woodland before starting to ascend through the woods to the Highlandman’s Road which we’ll follow briefly before turning off onto a section of the Three Lochs Way. We’ll avoid the ghastly, boggy, difficult paths through woods up Tom na h-Airidh and instead ascend up an open moorland path. If it’s a better day than it was when I took my photos, there will be wonderful views from the summit while we eat our lunch. We’ll head down the same way but then turn down a woodland path towards the Hill House – National Trust, but entry is possibly free to the garden and definitely to the café. From there it’s a mile, downhill all the way, back to the station from where trains run to Glasgow Queen Street every 30 minutes or so.
Additional Notes:
The walk is mainly on clear paths, most hard surface but some may be muddy, boggy or full of puddles. The ascent up the open hill is up a narrow but obvious path and the total ascent is about one-third of a Munro. Please wear suitable boots.
There may be a working toilet on the train. There are small public toilets in Helensburgh and near the sailing club – these cost 50p (cash or electronic payments by card or mobile phone). There are trees near the top of the hill which you might be able to hide behind.
Walkers should carry an "in case of emergency" card with contact details.
Meet at Glasgow Queen Station – outside the ticket office having bought a return to Helensburgh, aiming to catch the (lower level) 9.31 to Helensburgh Central.
The walk will start from Helensburgh Central Station when the train arrives from Glasgow (scheduled to be 10.14).
