Campsie Glen – Waterfalls, Paths and Geology

Campsie Glen lies on the southern slope of Campsie Fell. The Kirk Burn flows through the glen to the River Kelvin; steep cliffs, waterfalls and pools shape the gorge. Visitors choosing the area for a stay will find geological features, paths described in different ways and traces of history. Details on routes, distance and elevation gain help you plan the excursions separately.

Gorge, Waterfalls and Lava Rock

Several small waterfalls and pools lie beside the Kirk Burn at Lady’s Linn. About 100 metres upstream, larger waterfalls and pools can be found at James’ Linn. Muckle Alicompen has two waterfalls; the upper one plunges over a basalt lava flow. These three named locations offer different views of the watercourse and the rock formations of the glen.

The area features Lower Carboniferous Clyde Plateau Lavas, around 350 million years old. Campsie Glen also lies at the site of an ancient lagoon. Those interested in the volcanic history of the Campsie Hills can climb through a sequence of old lava flows in the glen. Markle Basalt Quarry offers another perspective on the area’s geological history: the quarry has long been abandoned; the basalt is highly vesicular in places, and some feldspar crystals are longer than 25 millimetres.

Paths with Different Details

The Campsie Glen path is a 0.8-kilometre recreational route from Clachan of Campsie to the Crow Road viewpoint car park. It follows a series of switchbacks on a well-maintained ash path; crossings and edge barriers help prevent erosion. A left-hand turn-off from the path leads to the Kirkton Burn and the waterfalls. Path conditions can change, so check them before your walk.

There is a separate route description for the Campsie Glen Geological Trail: the path starts at the car park in Clachan of Campsie. The full return walk is listed as 4 kilometres, with 200 metres of elevation gain, and takes about two and a half hours. These figures may vary depending on path conditions. By comparison, the Strathkelvin Railway Path is flat and easy to walk. It follows a scenic section of a former railway line for 7½ miles between Strathblane and Kirkintilloch.

Other routes lead to different destinations: a path around the hill reaches waterfalls on the stream below in Campsie Glen. A steep, uneven path leads out of the glen to the ridge of the Campsie Fells. Beyond Clachan of Campsie, a path climbs steeply to a car park on the B822. These route descriptions differ in destination and path conditions; match them to the walk you plan to take.

Church History and Traces of Earlier Use

The church associated with St Machan was first built in Campsie Glen in the 12th century, beside what is believed to be the saint’s grave. Remains of the old St Machan’s Church and its churchyard can be seen in the cemetery at Clachan of Campsie. In the late 18th century, local landowner John McFarlan of Ballencleroch opened Campsie Glen to visitors. Trees were planted and paths built in the glen during the 18th and 19th centuries.

At the lower end of the glen are the remains of an early 19th-century bleaching works. Medieval rig-and-furrow structures—historic agricultural remains—have also been recorded in Campsie Glen. The area is regarded as a classic geological locality; geologists are known to have visited it in the early 20th century. During a stay, you can encounter both natural and cultural history, though these traces do not all date from the same period.

Getting There and Finding Your Way

Buses run regularly between Glasgow and Clachan of Campsie. Check the timetable before travelling. The car park for Campsie Glen is small and often very busy; the glen is within walking distance of the car park in the village of Clachan of Campsie. Refreshments and bicycle hire are available in the village. These services are in Clachan of Campsie, not necessarily in the glen itself.

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