Katrine Aqueduct Pipe Track

A gravel track that follows the trail of the Katrine Aqueducts that brings Glasgow's drinking water all the way from the Trossachs to Milngavie. Look out for exposed sections of the aqueducts as you travel along, one section in particular has a date marker of 1892 visible from the track.
Stunning views over the Kilpatrick Hills and you can always drop down to Glengoyne distillery for a wee dram on the way past!

Perfect gravel track from Blanefield to Kilearn, absorbing perfect views.

During the nineteenth century, there was increasing need in Glasgow for unpolluted water. In 1832, Scotland's first cholera epidemic killed over 3000 people in Glasgow alone. After epidemics returned in 1848 and 1853, decisions were taken to resolve the problem by bringing clean water to the city. Loch Katrine was chosen as the source and in 1856 the building of an aqueduct 34 miles long was commenced. The scheme employed about 3000 people and was completed in three-and-a-half years, officially opened by Queen Victoria in 1859. By the 1880s the supply was insufficient, so work on a second aqueduct started in 1885.

The track between Blanefield and Killearn is thought to have been made by the Glasgow Corporation Water Department about 1885, which would date it to the time of construction of the second aqueduct. The relationship of the track to both aqueducts is beautifully illustrated on Ordnance Survey 25" mapping (surveyed in 1896).

Reference Heritage Paths heritagepaths.co.uk/pathdetails.php?path=343