Bob Law's Blog: Photography and Walks – David Livingstone Centre and River Clyde Walk

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Bob Law’s Blog: Photography and Walks – David Livingstone Centre and River Clyde Walk

A combination of an interesting museum dedicated to the famous explorer and Christian missionary (which can be the sole purpose of your visit) plus a beautiful wild feeling walk along this upper stretch of the River Clyde.

The River Clyde – David Livingstone Centre

The David Livingstone Museum

The museum is well worth a visit with scenic grounds, a sizeable car park, tearoom, gift shop, and toilets. Entry costs: £3:00 for 5 – 16 year olds. 17- 59 £7:50. Over 60 and unemployed £6:45. Family ticket of 2 adults and 2 children £18. Prepay online or at the museum itself. Plenty to see inside, wonderful sculptures and flower borders dotted around the grounds and stuff for kids as well, like a wooden pirate ship and musical logs.

Flower border David Livingstone Centre

In addition a very scenic circular or one way walk along the River Clyde. Start is from the same lane you go down to the David Livingstone Centre which ends at the river.

Pedestrian Bridge near David Livingstone Centre

Follow a pedestrian bridge over it then turn immediately left and follow a dirt track along the river bank downstream through mature woods. The start of this is narrow and can be slippy when wet but it soon becomes a wide flat path skirting the edge of Uddingston and Bothwell Castle. This used to be a spectacular extra treat to look at and photograph but is currently shut for stonework repairs and is covered in scaffolding and fencing. No matter as the walk is still impressive. The only other bridge across the river is 3km downstream, again a pedestrian bridge which takes you into green fields.

The River Clyde near Bothwell

You can walk along this side of the river bank beside the river over a few grass fields and stiles, which we did, easy to follow at first then more tricky with high summer vegetation to get through but which does lead eventually to good paths again back to the D. L. Centre.

Or you can take the more straightforward but not as scenic route, following tarmac paths and minor roads back from this second footbridge . Around 7km. 4 to 5 hours depending on speed and ability.

There is some car parking in lane next to the centre if doing only the walk or train stations at Low Blantyre or Uddingston. A good day out.

Bob Law, August, 2023

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