Photographs, route description and map of a circular walk starting and finishing at the village of Gartness

This walk is along parts of the West Highland Way in a circular route from Gartness village of three miles, lasting 1.5 hours.
The walk starts at the gate to Millhouse Cottage which is on the minor road to Gartness from the A81 and just beyond the Wishingwell Farmhouse.
Parking is available at the side of the gate or at the side of the road before Gartness Bridge.
Facing the cottage, pass through the WHW gate on the left, signed, ‘Public Path, Killearn 2’, and follow the path heading towards Milngavie.
The path turns right after the next gate and passes along a row of small trees with ﬁelds on either side.
Look out for the charity refreshment table underneath a crab apple tree on this stretch of the walk - a kind gesture for the WHW walkers.
Take care on crossing the busy A81 road and continue on the WHW path to the next set of gates.
After passing through the ﬁrst gate, the walk leaves the WHW, turns right to pass through another gate and enters the ﬁeld.
It crosses the ﬁeld. which can contain cattle, to the exit gate and sign, ‘Public Path, West Highland Way’.
Take care again on turning right onto the A81 and keep close to the grass verge for a short distance before crossing to enter a path on the left
signed ‘Public Path, Gartness via Barnsford Bridge’.
As an alternative to crossing the cattle ﬁeld, turn right from the WHW on reaching the A81 and continue along it for 100 yards to the same
path but now on the right for Gartness via Barnsford Bridge, a substantial footbridge over the Endrick Water and mainly used by anglers.
After crossing the bridge, the walk leaves the river on a rough uphill track between farmland and on looking back there is a wonderful view of
the Campsie Fells with the refurbished houses at the Blane Smiddy in the foreground.
It is also fascinating to view the winding river and the hills around Loch Lomond from both sides of the track on walking up to the t-junction
where it rejoins the WHW.
The walk turns right and passes a newly built house on the left which was once the junction for the Forth and Clyde Railway to link Stirling
and the Vale of Leven.
lt then drops down into the delightful Gartness Village with its terrace of cottages facing the river and cultivated gardens on the river bank.
Once again the walk crosses the river on a road bridge opened in 1971 by Councillor J.Bates and replaced the previous one of the 1700s.
Separate provision has been made on the bridge with a pavement for walkers and can be used as a platform to view the salmon leaping upstream
in the autumn. Another viewing point forthe salmon leaping is at the Pots of Gartness which can be visited on returning uphill from the bridge to the start of the walk. The entrance is through the gate leading to Millhouse Cottage and down a set of steps at the end of the drive. Take care on the steps as they are not all in perfect condition.

Bearsden & District

Gartness

Gartness Gallery :: Campsie Fells :: West Highland Way

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