Loch Humphrey

Today I walked up the service road to Loch Humphrey in West Dunbartonshire despite my badly swollen right knee. I was with a group of friends and I didn't want to miss the walk, as the weather was warm and sunny and days like these are quite rare in Scotland. Whether my doctor would approve is a discussion for another time!

Sunny and Warm

It was also the first day when I was applying large amounts of sun screen to avoid burning. The weather up to now has been cold and wet, so there has been little chance for getting sunburn.

Loch Humphrey is easy to get to by train as the station (Kilpatrick) is just a short distance from start of the walk.

The walk is also a good one for winter, as the service road up to the loch is well maintained by the Forestry Commission. You cannot get lost unless you decide to follow the other paths near the loch, when a map and compass could be required.

Start of the climb

Steep Path

The road to the loch is quite steep at the start, then levels off before a more gentle climb until the loch comes into view. From there it is downhill until the loch is reached.

Great Views

On the way up there were great views of the River Clyde, Old Kilpatrick and Erskine. The Erskine bridge, which connects Dunbartonshire with Renfrewshire, was also in view.

Erskine Bridge.

On the walk up a Cuckoo could be heard quite nearby. Cuckoos are in decline in the UK and are rarely ever heard.

River Clyde in the Distance

The Waverley Paddle Steamer on the Clyde

Paddle Steamer - the Waverley

In the above picture the paddle steamer, the Waverley, can be seen in the distance. This is the last sea-going paddle steamer in the world and it is possible to take a cruise on it during the summer.

At the Top

Near the top the path levelled out and Loch Humphrey could be seen in the distance.

Near the top

After all the climbing, the final part of the walk was fairly easy.

Loch Humphrey

Loch Humphrey

Nice Lunch Spot

At Loch Humphrey we had lunch before walking back down the hill and back to Old Kilpatrick.

Information Board

Historical Area

The sign above says "Antonine Wall 140 AD. The Roman Empire Northwest Frontier" in the circle at the top. Below it says Erskine Bridge 1971. This sign was just after the railway station and a reminder to everyone of this historical area.

It was a good day out.  

 Further Information

Train for Kilpatrick are on the Airdrie - Balloch line. If travelling from Motherwell there is a change of trains at Partick to get onto the correct line.