Campsie Glen – Waterfalls on the Kirk Burn
About 1.5 miles on foot.
Campsie Glen is a wooded glen above the little village of Clachan of Campsie, where the Kirk Burn comes down off the Campsie Fells in a string of waterfalls.
The path follows the burn up from the old kirkyard into the trees, past little falls and picnic spots. Then it climbs steeply to the Crow Road for a view back over the glen, and goes round to the bigger falls on the burn below. It's a short walk for anyone in good boots, with a café in the square at the bottom for lunch afterwards.
- Time
- About an hour and a quarter there and back: up the glen beside the Kirk Burn from the square at Clachan of Campsie, steeply up to the Crow Road car park (about 900 metres from the square) and round to the bigger falls a few minutes beyond.
- The path
- The lower glen path follows the burn; the way up to the Crow Road is a steep climb, and the path to the upper falls is steep and uneven.
- Where to start
- A small free car park in the square at Clachan of Campsie, beside St Machan's kirkyard. It is often busy and fills quickly: if the bays are full, use the larger public car park in Lennoxtown. Please don't park on verges, in front of gates or across residents' access.
- When to go
- All year in daylight, allowing about an hour and a quarter for the walk; the path above the lower glen is best in dry weather. The Glen Café usually opens every day, 11am to 3pm.
- Dogs
- Under close control.
- Children
- The lower glen suits children; above it the path is steep and slippery after rain, so keep them close.
- Toilets
- No toilets in the glen; the Glen Café in the square has them for its customers.
The walk
Park in the small, free car park in the square at Clachan of Campsie, beside the old kirkyard of St Machan's. It fills quickly on busy days, so please don't park on verges or in front of gates: if there's no space, use the larger public car park in Lennoxtown. The path leaves the square by Knowehead Road and follows the Kirk Burn north into the glen, under the trees, past little waterfalls and picnic spots.
Further up, a path climbs steeply out of the glen to the car park on the Crow Road, the B822, about 900 metres from the square, with a view back over the glen and Lennoxtown. From there a path goes round the hill to the bigger falls on the burn below, a few minutes on. Allow about an hour and a quarter there and back.
Above the lower glen the path is steep, and muddy and slippery after rain, so wear boots, keep children close and dogs under close control. There are no toilets in the glen, and check for ticks afterwards.
If it rains
In steady rain the lower glen beside the burn is still a pleasant half hour under the trees. After heavy rain, leave out the climb to the Crow Road and the upper falls, where the path is steep and slippery. The Glen Café is indoors at the end.
Afterwards
The Glen Café
Lunch
Back in the square, the Glen Café is in Aldessan House, a few steps from the car park: a small café and bistro for lunch or a coffee after the walk. It usually opens every day from 11am to 3pm, but in winter, and over Christmas and New Year, ring 01360 238258 before setting off. Children and dogs are allowed, the way in is step-free, and there are toilets. If it's shut, the Campsie Café on Main Street in Lennoxtown, five minutes' drive away, usually opens until 3pm.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
The nearest of ours is Moment Blythswood Street, 9 miles away. Sleeps 2.
Then Crossbasket Castle, 15 miles away.
For further reading, before you go.
Photographs by BRP Electrical and June Cooper via Google