The Nature of Scotland – Autumn 2011 – Issue 13

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1
Cartland Bridge
Start from the car park at Thomas Telford's spectacular Cartland Bridge and
climb up the initially steep path that leads from there. You rapidly gain height until
you reach a log seat after 200 metres. Look back through the oak canopy for truly
dramatic views of the pillared bridge and the plunging gorge below. The beautiful
three-span bridge was built by Telford in 1822 and soars 39 metres (128 feet)
above the chasm.
2
Castle Qua
The path soon begins to drop towards the Mouse Bridge at Woodend and you
pass the remnants of Castle Qua, a fort perched on the gorge edge. It dates
back to 1100, but only a low earth mound remains today, so it's easily missed (it's
more apparent in winter). Little is known of the castle, except that it once had an
underground living space.
4
Cartland Bridge
viewed from high on
the reserve.
5
Otters use the reserve.
Keep a close eye on
still water in the early
morning or evening
and look for signs of
their presence, such as
droppings or webbed
footprints in the mud.
6
The Mouse Water rises
in peat bogs to the
northeast of Lanark
and flows into the River
Clyde.
3
Mousebank to Fulwood
After leaving Cartland Craigs, the path crosses the narrow Mousebank Road and
follows the river through marshy fields for 500 metres before entering the ancient
woodlands of Cleghorn Glen. You soon reach the recently built Fulwood Bridge,
which allows access across a burn that's liable to spate and has in the past cut
short many a walk. If you're quiet (and lucky!) you may spot dippers, kingfishers
and even otters in this area.
38 The Nature of Scotland