Bob Law's Blog: A Glasgow and Paisley Escarpment Walk

Home » Bob Law: photographer, walker and writer » Bob Law’s Blog: A Glasgow and Paisley Escarpment Walk

Bob Law’s Blog: A Glasgow and Paisley Escarpment Walk

Grass Paths. The Upland Plateau. Gleniffer Braes

Gleniffer Braes and Brownside Braes Escarpment

On a good day a very enjoyable walk can be had along the edge of the Gleniffer Braes and Brownside Braes escarpment. This offers fantastic views over Paisley and Glasgow without too much effort as it mainly follows flat or gently rolling paths all the way.

Golf course view Brownside Braes

Starting the Walk

Starting out – if coming by car you can park at the Gleniffer Braes main car park on the B775 on the hillside just above Paisley’s Stanley Reservoir; it’s large with space for 100 cars. If your choice is the Tannahill Walkway and the lower scenic gorge walks with woods, ponds and a waterfall, follow the main path leading east from the car park. This is on level ground until it reaches an obvious detour to get round a ten foot deep narrow chasm via a wooden bridge then it descends diagonally to Robertson Park.

Our route, however, leads upwards past the swings beside the car park through a gate then stays level heading on grass paths towards the golf course club house. You pass through the car park before cutting above the neighbouring Harelaw reservoir to reach the spot height of 219 metres, then the Thornliemuir trig at 237 metres. From there paths lead back to the car.

Highland Cattle and Crow

If coming by public transport buses run to Glenburn in Paisley (number 26 from Glasgow) or get a train to Barrhead and start from there.

Highlights

Plane and Scottish Mountains

Highlights are the extensive views over Glasgow and Paisley and if lucky highland cattle grazing free on the rich grass. A walk of a few hours duration and the closest Glasgow gets to matching Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh for a bird eye view over a vast urban area.