Holiday apartment in East Dunbartonshire: Trails, nature and Roman history

East Dunbartonshire is particularly defined by its trails. The John Muir Way is a 134-mile coast-to-coast trail connecting Helensburgh in the west with Dunbar in the east. In East Dunbartonshire, it passes through Lennoxtown, Milton of Campsie, Kirkintilloch and Twechar, among other places. This brings together a long-distance trail spanning a wide area and numerous local routes.

Trails and landscape

The Thomas Muir Heritage Trail is 18 km long and can be completed in full or in sections on foot or by bicycle. Between Clachan of Campsie and Kirkintilloch, it follows the Strathkelvin Railway Path. In Lennox Forest, circular routes for walking, cycling and horse riding run through the forest; direct access is possible from Lennoxtown. The forest also offers opportunities to observe crossbills and deer.

The Craigdhu Way is a 3 km-long trail through Bearsden. It leads around Kilmardinny Loch and the nature reserve there and is suitable for walkers and cyclists. The towpaths along the Forth and Clyde Canal in East Dunbartonshire are suitable for walking, cycling, running, wheelchair use and riding a scooter. The trails around Milngavie and the Craigmaddie Reservoirs are suitable for walking, running and cycling.

The East Dunbartonshire Walking and Cycling Map highlights 17 routes of varying lengths as well as attractions throughout the area. The selection therefore ranges from longer connections to individual trails linking different landscapes and places.

Nature

Mugdock Country Park covers 270 hectares of woodland, moorland and heathland connected by a network of trails. In the park, visitors can walk to Mugdock Castle, which overlooks Mugdock Loch. The Courtyard contains a visitor centre, gift shop, cafés, a gallery and a garden centre.

The Gruffalo Trail is also one of the local attractions and offers families a free activity. Milton of Campsie Fairy Woods features fairies, fly agarics, fairy houses, woodland animals and numerous fairy doors.

History

The Antonine Wall ran through what is now East Dunbartonshire and once formed the north-western edge of the Roman Empire. The site of the Roman bathhouse in Bearsden is signposted from Bearsden Cross and lies about 600 metres down Roman Road. The well-preserved bathhouse and latrine in Bearsden provide insights into the daily life of the soldiers stationed along the Antonine Wall.

Bar Hill is the highest of all the forts along the Antonine Wall. The Antonine Wall fort at Bar Hill is open free of charge all year round. From Bar Hill, signs lead from the main road in Twechar along an approximately 0.5 km-long farm track and path to the site. Today, the fort platform, the east gate and the remains of the main building and bathhouse are visible at Bar Hill. The Go Roman app provides a digital reconstruction of Bar Hill as well as 3D models of artefacts excavated along the Antonine Wall.

Peel Park includes the site of a Roman fort on the Antonine Wall as well as the earthworks of a medieval castle. The foundations of the Antonine Wall in Peel Park are preserved within a fenced enclosure. Visitors can walk around the foot of the castle mound to see the best-preserved section of the dry moat that remains there.

Culture

The Lillie Art Gallery in Milngavie hosts exhibitions and displays paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures and ceramics from its collection. It is located directly opposite Milngavie railway station, close to Milngavie town centre and the start of the West Highland Way. The Auld Kirk Museum displays objects and works of local, national and international significance.

Getting around

The larger towns in East Dunbartonshire are connected to Glasgow and Edinburgh by rail. These transport links form another part of regional orientation alongside the local trails, historic sites, museums and natural areas.

Places

More local pages: Lennoxtown, Bearsden, Campsie Glen, Bishopbriggs, Balgrochan, Milngavie.

To the higher-level travel overview: Scotland.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Perth And Kinross, East Lothian.