Cycle ride along old Strathendrick Railway line

Starting from Strathblane - around 15 mins drive from Appletree Cottage

Looking along the route of the former Strathendrick Railway with Dunglass on the right

Having often seen cyclists make their way along the former Strathendrick railway route along the base of Campsie Glen we decided to try it for ourselves.  
We started from Strathblane and although we could have cycled down the John Muir Way and West Highland Way to get there we decided to save time and drive there with the bikes.  
In Strathblane there is a very convenient car park opposite the church where we unloaded our bikes.

Carpark next the church in Strathblane

Entrance to our cycle route is in the corner of the carpark

Conveniently our route started in the corner of that same car park.  A couple of signposts / maps show the way.
The first descent is onto the former railway - just along from where the station used to be - the site now privately occupied.
Strathendrick and Blanefield are two separate villages, the latter growing up around a calico printing works, Strathendrick was historically the parish for
Mugdock, Netherton and  Edenkill.  The two villages nowadays appear to have become one but when the railway was open they each had their own stations called er... Strathendrick and Blanefield

The first section of the route is a slow gentle climb out of Strathendrick.  Nothing too severe - remember this was a railway and so any gradients were minimal.  Trees overhang this pretty path and there are few people around - only the occasional dog walker.
What we are cycling is actually part of Sustrans Cycle Route 755 which runs from Strathblane to Kirkintilloch using the former railway trackbed.

The first section of Route 755 through the trees

It is not long until we are away from Strathblane and out of the trees into the wide open beginnings of Campsie Glen.   The Campsie hills and Ballagan Burn are on the left as we cycle along, and on the right is the distinctive volcanic plug of Dunglass..  (See first/top photo) This basalt lump is popular with climbers despite much of its rock being in a loose and a little dangerous to the inexperienced.

Open vistas along the beginnings of Campsie Glen

Its a glorious day and the views are far and fantastic.  The fields either side of the track are mostly put to grass for livestock with the occasional arable.  The track itself is smooth tarmac and wide enough to two to cycle side by side.

Signposts show us the way

We cycle on for about another two and a half miles and come to a signpost.
Clachan of Campsie is a tiny hamlet up a short cul-de-sac.  There is a cafe with lots of outdoor seating and Wheelcraft - a cycle shop famous with the professional and touring cyclists.  Owned by Al Now for over thirty years they make cycle wheels to order - not many of them around.  Their service is excellent with years of experience between the friendly mechanics.
It is great to sit at a table in front of the cafe and watch the world pass by.
The X85 bus service from Buchanan St. Bust Station in Glasgow terminates and departs Clachan of Campsie every half hour and many take the trip to commence their walk into the Campsie hills 

Some of the signs refer to the Thomas Muir Way, obviously not to be confused with the John Muir way.  Thomas Muir the Younger of Huntershill was a Scottish political reformer and lawyer (1765-1799). Known as the "Father of Democracy" more can be found out about his life here: www.theglasgowstory.com/story/?id=TGSCH12
John Muir or "John of the Mountains"  on the other hand is  credited for initiating the National Parks movement in the United States of America. More can be found out about  John Muir here; en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Muir

Clachan of Campsie Station still has its platforms

Milton of Campsie station is one of if not the only station on the line which has its platforms still semi-intact.  The villagers have looked after the station well.  Originally double track for passing the bridge has been re-enforced and now has a width suitable for the cycle path but little else.  A map on the wall of the bridge shows us the rail routes which existed in the area earlier in the 20th century.
We are cycling along the Strathendrick Railway which then joined up with the Aberfoyle Railway which opened up to cater for the famous slate quarries there - used with great effect as a location for the filming of ​Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Railway Routes that used to be

Former viaduct for the Kelvin Railway

Not long after Milton of Campsie we pass under the remains of a viaduct belonging to the former Kelvin Railway which connected Kilsyth to Kirkintilloch and thence to Maryhill and Coatbridge.  Built to carry the bountiful coal traffic from Kilsyth to the ironworks further south the line also catered for passenger traffic until the line closed completely as many other routes did, in 1966.

Soon we reach Kirkintilloch where we lunch in the lovely Nonna's Restaurant and Bar picturesquely set beside the Forth and Clyde canal.  After an excellent meal we jump back on our bikes and make our way back to Appletree Cottage.

A very pleasant lunch was had in Nonna's Kitchen