Walk this way for majestic views
Although a lot of Paisley’s beautiful countryside has vanished beneath urban sprawl, much still remains.
Among the places surviving is a favourite walk I first did nearly 60 years ago.
The excursion starts at Quarrelton village in Johnstone where the early 19th century school and buildings occupied by local coal miners are still visible.
You can view majestic St Aidan’s
Church and the ruins of Johnstone Castle – once owned by the lairds of Johnstone – before joining the woodland trail opposite the burned-out shell of the vandalised Bird In Hand Hotel.
The sign-posted path leads through Rannoch Woods – once part of Johnstone Castle policies.
You may see squirrels in the branches of towering beech trees or even a roe deer among the undergrowth.
Beyond Elm Drive, the woodland trail threads its way over wooden bridges and uphill paths with handrails until you emerge on Auchenlodment Road between the former Johnstone municipal waterworks and Craigenfeoch Quarry
Derek Parker knew many of Paisley’s secrets – the grimy and the good.
He wandered every corner in search of the clues that would unlock Renfrewshire’s rich history.
These tales were shared with readers in his hugely popular Parker’s Way column.
We’ve opened our vault to handpick our favourites for you.
which provided much of the Laird of Johnstone’s mineral wealth.
Follow the way-marked path across the road into Craigenfeoch Wood – but stick to the trail and keep away from a deep quarry on your left.
The footpath can be muddy in the pinewood, but a wooden boardwalk brings you to a hilltop overlooking the Brandy Burn.
Upstream, a wooden bridge over the fast-flowing burn provides a wonderful view of the Dusky Glen waterfall immortalised two centuries ago by Paisley poet Robert Tannahill who found inspiration there.
There are seats for the weary on the steep climb through Bardrain Wood, which hosts a rare summertime flower named chickweed wintergreen – identifiable by white, star-shaped blossoms.
Follow the path along the top of the wood until you reach the Gleniffer braeface.
The view of Paisley nestling at the hillfoot is truly stunning.
Continue along the summit of the slope until you arrive at the car park above the Bonnie Wee Well which commemorates another poet of the Gleniffer Braes – Hugh Macdonald.
But be careful crossing the busy
Paisley-Lugton road.
Either finish the walk at the park or continue on to Glen Lodge at the entrance to the Gleniffer Braes country park, just off Glenfield Road.
The walk is about six miles and takes around three hours to complete.