Clyde Valley walk is a great day out
Groups discover more about tourist hotspot
Duncanrig Ramblers did not stray far from home recently with two walks at Lanark – both of which took in the Falls of Clyde.
The alternate walk started at the racecourse end of Lanark.
The walk started with a trip down through ‘The Beeches’ which is a fine avenue of trees and a local landmark.
Members gradually wound their way down the Clyde Valley to the Clyde at Bonnington Power station.
On the way they walked over the land that was threatened with destruction due to an application to extend the Hyndford Quarry close to the River Clyde.
Fortunately, after a vigorous local campaign, the plan was rejected and the majority of the threatened ground now has protected status, although it is being appealed.
The group continued upstream and crossed the Clyde at the weir where the bulk of the water is diverted via pipeline to the hydro power station.
Once over the weir bridge, the ramblers followed the paths downstream close to the Clyde past the ruins of Corra Castle which was 15th-century fortified farmhouse built by the Bannatyne family. It is now home to a family of rare bats.
Corra is Gaelic for “weir”. Roughly a mile downstream from the castle, the walkers diverted from the river for a ramble around the grounds of the upper Corehouse estate.
The house was designed around 1820 by Sir Edward Blore for Lord Corehouse and is currently owned by the Cranstoun family.
After rejoining the path by the river, the group had some great views of the New Lanark complex across the river. The walk continued down river to the edge of Kirkfieldbank village and crossed over the river on the old Clydesholm Bridge, crossing the A72 trunk road to walk on a minor route known as Mousemill Road, crossing the River Mouse and following the road uphill to Cartland Bridge and the waiting coach.
The high walk started at the small village of Cleghorn and followed the Mouse Water down to the Clyde.
The walkways are enclosed by ancient woodlands and Mouse Water is a tributary of the River Clyde. It is popular with canoeists.
In the past, the fast-flowing river was used to power mills and factories along its route and is still used today to produce hydro-electricity.
On joining the Clyde, the high walkers then followed the alternate walk in reverse – New Lanark on the opposite bank is one of six UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Scotland – then round the Falls of Clyde.
The Falls of Clyde is the collective name of four linn (Scots: waterfalls) on the River Clyde .The Falls of Clyde comprise the upper falls of Bonnington Linn, Corra Linn, Dundaff Linn, and the lower falls of Stonebyres Linn.
Corra Linn is the highest, with a fall of 84 feet. Bonnington Linn (30ft fall), Corra Linn and Dundaff Linn (10ft fall).The area has long been a popular destination for visitors. The Wordsworths, Coleridge and Sir Walter Scott, visited the Falls.
In 1802, William Wordsworth immortalised Corra Linn, the largest of the waterfalls, in verse. Corra Linn has also been painted by a number of artists, including J. M. W. Turner.
After leaving the river, the group walked uphill to meet the coach at The Beeches.
Members then enjoyed their social hour in Blackwood.
The next outing is this Sunday to Kilpatrick hills and reservoirs.
Check out www.duncanrig.com for details on club activities.
Visitors welcome.