The Distillery Walk – Gartloch Distillery Garnkirk
The grain Distillery was opened on the 25th July 1900 by the Gartloch distillers company.
By 1922 two million gallons of water was being used weekly for Products like its Garnkirk Finest Pure malt whiskey. Production continued until the 30th November 1927 and the site is now abandoned.
The surrounding wetland and bog habitat is an important haven for wildlife. The walk takes about 25 minutes starting at the bottom of Woodhead road Crowood. Keep an eye out for Heron, Barn owl, kestrel, Buzzard, Roe deer and the wonderful wildflower verges in spring – autumn. There is also decent sized pond located on the left-hand side of the path a few hundred yards past the cottages, here you will find waterfowl dragonflies, damselflies and other invertebrates.
The Duck’s Walk
Ducks walk is a popular route linking into Gartcosh nature reserve connecting up to a well-lit cycleway, which runs from Glenboig to Gartcosh Railway Station.
The walk takes around 15 minutes and can be accessed by following the path along Glenburn Gardens at Glenbiog, or the opposite side at the entrance to the nature reserve at Audyards road.
The nature reserve was established as a habitat for amphibians notably the great crested newt.
24 ponds where created which have now become a haven for wildlife not just for amphibians but all the wildlife that depends on wetland habitat including dragonflies, damselflies and other invertebrates.
Dragonflies like the Four-spotted Chaser can be seen flying from late May to early August. Other dragonfly species found here include Common Darter, Black Darter, Common Hawker, Large Red Damselfly, Common Blue Damselfly, Azure Damselfly, Emerald Damselfly, and Blue-tailed Damselfly.
Keep an eye out for Row deer, badgers, Tawney owls, amazing wildflowers and Great crested newts foraging near the ponds on a summer evening.
Frankfield Loch – Glasgow Fort Walk
Starting at Frankfield Loch the walk takes about an hour. You will encounter a diverse array of habitats including Woodland and raised bog.
Keep an eye out for sparrowhawk, Heron, Barn owl, kestrel, Buzzard, Roe deer
Stoneyetts walk Moodiesburn
Starting at the entrance to Bowling Club road the walk passes through the site of the former Stoneyetts Hospital and ends at the Bothlyn burn playpark on Kelvin drive. The walk takes around 30minutes. Keep an eye out for Barn owl, kestrel, Buzzard, Roe deer and the wonderful wildflower verges in spring – autumn. Where the path follows the M80 you will also find a pond buzzing with dragonflies, damselflies and other invertebrates.