The Great British Walk

A personal record of my three month walk of the full length of Great Britain from north to south with written journal and photographs. Tracklogs for GPS units and for use with Google Earth are available for download for each stage.


Stage 27: Newton to Dalserf

Google Maps Open Source Maps

Statistics and Files
Start: Newton Finish: Dalserf Distance: 12.0 miles (19.3 km)
Time: 5-6 hours Climbing: 229 metres Total Distance: 338.7 miles
GPX Route File Google Earth File About Glasgow
Statistics
Start: Newton Finish: Dalserf
Distance: 12.0 miles (19.3 km) Time: 5-6 hours
Climbing: 229 metres Total Distance: 338.7 miles
GPX Route File Google Earth File
Ordnance Survey Explorer Map (1:25,000)

Summary

A stage which can best be described as getting from A to B. At least it was the last day of three in the urban conurbations of Glasgow. The walk takes me from the suburb of Newton to Hallside, Blantyre and Burnbank before I walk through Hamilton to follow the A72 south Garrion Bridge from where I follow the A71 to Cardies Bridge where I end the stage at the point where I make my re acquaintance with the Clyde Walkway.

(Note: My walk of Glasgow and South Scotland was a part of my Great British Walk from the north coast of Scotland to the south coast of England)

Stage Report

Another dull day, as all had been on my walk through Glasgow. Oh well, at least I could dive in to buildings or bus shelters if it rained. Despite being dull it was not raining as I set off from where I had finished the previous stage at Newton Railway Station. I made my way from the station to the paths along the estates of Hallside at some pace, it being my last day of the two weeks of lighter walking. From tomorrow it would be back to carrying the full weight of my long distance walking backpack complete with tent, bedding, clothing and the rest of my equipment. Lil would tail me in the car today before spending a last night in Glasgow with me and returning home tomorrow.

A spot of greenery between Hallside and BlantyreA spot of greenery between Hallside and Blantyre
Welcome to BlantyreWelcome to Blantyre

The urban walking was nicely interrupted for a short section of the walk between Hallside and Blantyre alongside the A724. As I walked past Spittal Farm to Priory Bridge which took me over Rotten Calder I looked left from the roadside to some fields rich in yellow of Buttercup. It was a nice change from the slate grey of the city and black of the tarmac. Soon after Priory Bridge I came to the crossroads at Bardykes where urban took control once more as I began my journey through Blantyre.

David Livingstone Memorial Church, BlantyreDavid Livingstone Memorial Church, Blantyre
Statue in HamiltonStatue in Hamilton

There were some lovely buildings in Blantyre, all compressed into the sprawl which had surrounded the greater examples of aesthetics. One excellent example was David Livingstone Memorial Church with its architectural clock tower. After passing the B7012 Blantyre gave way to Burnbank where more lovely examples of buildings were spread, a fine example being Burnbank Library. These interludes of looking at lovely buildings against the norm of identical terraces and shops with garish displays of enticement kept my faith up as I headed into Hamilton. I passed more buildings and some statues as I walked down to the town centre via the college campus and the museum where a number of unusual modern sculptures adorned the grounds.

River Clyde at Avon BridgeRiver Clyde at Avon Bridge
Motherwell SkylineMotherwell Skyline

After stopping in Hamilton for a light lunch, in which the hardest job was finding Lil who had parked up to meet me for lunch for the last time until I would be back in England, I continued on my way by following the A72 out of Hamilton via Covan Bridge, Avon Bridge, Chatelherault Station, Allanton and then beside the Belvidere Plantation before crossing over the M74 north of Meadowhill. Sometimes I had to duck in off the road and then make short sharp bursts to the next safe spot before waiting for traffic calm and continuing on again. It was never perilous, I just had to be careful. I safely reached Clydesdale, the most rural part of the stage. Across the River Clyde I could clearly see the seven tower blocks of Muirhouse in Motherwell. I was now feeling really good as I knew Glasgow was now behind me. Tomorrow would see me in absolute rural and a good deal of Clyde Walkway walking but first I had two more miles of walking to Dalserf. Thankfully much of it was away from the A72 by a side road running parallel from Skellyton Nurseries to Garrion Bridge. At a roundabout near the bridge I left the course of the A72 to follow the A71 north east to Cardies Bridge.

I stopped at Cardies Bridge and headed back into Glasgow with Lil for a final night together before she returned home. Tomorrow morning she would return me here and then drive home. I will once again be with full backpack and alone but at least the city is behind me. And a special note must now be said about my wife Lil. In the week and a half of her support I have regained the three days I lost though injury sustained on the Cape Wrath Trail and actually made a few miles in advance of the itinerary. Her contribution to my achieving the Great British walk has been invaluable. For that I thank her with all my love.


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