Campsie Glen is a steep-sided gorge on the southern slope of Campsie Fell. The Kirk Burn flows through it towards the River Kelvin; waterfalls and pools shape the landscape. When planning your visit, you can choose between various trails and historical and geological discoveries. Information on distance, elevation gain and trail conditions varies considerably.
Waterfalls and Trails in the Glen
At Lady’s Linn, several small waterfalls and pools lie beside the Kirk Burn. At James’ Linn, larger waterfalls and pools are located about 100 m upstream. Muckle Alicompen has two waterfalls; the upper one plunges over a basalt lava flow.
The Campsie Glen path is a 0.8 km recreational trail from Clachan of Campsie to the viewpoint car park on Crow Road. It follows a series of bends along a well-surfaced ash path. Crossings and edge barriers help prevent erosion. A left-hand turn-off leads to the Kirkton Burn and the waterfalls. As trail conditions can change, check them before your walk.
The Campsie Glen Geological Trail is another way to explore the area: the full out-and-back route is 4 km long, has an elevation gain of 200 m and takes about 2½ hours. These details may vary depending on trail conditions. Other route descriptions refer to a steep, uneven path from Campsie Glen to the ridge of the Campsie Fells, and to a trail behind Clachan of Campsie that climbs steeply to a car park on the B822. The descriptions help you distinguish between route lengths, elevation gains and trail conditions when choosing your walk.
Geology and Landscape History
The area features Lower Carboniferous Clyde Plateau lavas, dating back about 350 million years. Campsie Glen also lies on the site of an ancient lagoon. At the glen, visitors can climb through a sequence of ancient lava flows that bears witness to the volcanic past of the Campsie Hills.
Geological and industrial traces include the long-abandoned Markle Basalt Quarry. Its basalt is partly highly vesicular, and some feldspar crystals are longer than 25 mm. Campsie Glen is regarded as a classic geological site and was visited by geologists in the early 20th century. A visit brings together landforms, rocks and the history of geology in a particular place.
St Machan and Historical Traces
The church associated with St Machan was first built in Campsie Glen in the 12th century, beside the saint’s presumed grave. In the late 18th century, local landowner John McFarlan of Ballencleroch opened Campsie Glen to visitors. In Clachan of Campsie, the cemetery contains the remains of the old St Machan’s Church and its churchyard. The nearby Old Road to St Machan’s Church follows the historic route from Lennoxtown to Clachan of Campsie.
Traces of other former uses also form part of the area’s history: Campsie Glen contains medieval rig-and-furrow structures, or historic agricultural remains. Tree planting and path construction date from the 18th and 19th centuries. At the lower end of the glen are the remains of an early 19th-century bleachworks.
Getting There and Finding Your Way
Buses run regularly between Glasgow and Clachan of Campsie. Check the timetable before setting off. The car park for Campsie Glen is small and often very busy, so take this into account when planning your journey. Campsie Glen is within walking distance of the car park in Clachan of Campsie village.
Refreshments and bicycle hire are available in Clachan of Campsie. You can combine practical orientation with choosing a route: consider whether you want to focus on the waterfalls, the geological trail or the historical traces, and take the differing route details into account when planning your visit.
Discover more destinations: Lennoxtown, Milngavie, Balgrochan, Bearsden, Bishopbriggs
Return to the main travel overview: East Dunbartonshire.
