Walk around Killearn
Date: 18 January 2025
Leader: Trish
Grade: C
Number on walk: 24
Length 11.5 km. Ascent 190 m.
Hills climbed: None.
Click here for GPX track of the walk
Soon after leaving Killearn we arrived at the Pipetrack and crossed open fields
The Pipetrack is an access track for the two aqueducts bringing water from Loch Katrine to Milngavie for use in Glasgow. The first was constructed in 1859 and the second in 1901. There are stone viaducts, inspection chambers, drain valves and access points throughout the length of the Pipetrack.
We paused at the Lettre water chambers on the Pipetrack while our leader gave us a brief history of the water supply
Lettre water chamber is a subterranean access chamber to the 1885 aqueduct channel. A cylindrical shaft with a hemispherical, iron safety grille sits above the chamber providing ventilation and open-air access.
Our group exploring the disused sandstone quarry on the Pipetrack
It was called Redstone Quarry and red sandstone was quarried. It is shown to be in use on the 1945-65 OS 1:25,000 map but I have been unable to find anything else about its history
Looking into the depths of the quarry
Our morning break in Sauchie Woods
Blairgar aqueduct crossing the burn which supplies water to the Glengoyne Distillery
We returned to Killearn along the West Highland Way – Here is the view looking back towards Dumgoyne