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The Kelvin Walkway
Before you do anything of a morning, make
your way down to Cottonrake, Great Western
Road and grab your first cup of coffee and
simply delicious pain au chocolat to set you
on your way. The staff are more than happy to
let your four legged friend sit in and although
it can be a squeeze at times, no one seems
to mind. Why not try Cottonrake’s sourdough
with honey? Divine.
And off to the Kelvin we go. If you are a
dog owner in the West End, you KNOW this
walkway. Or do you? The history on our
doorstep is incredible. Entering through the
Kirklee Gate, you find yourself on Half Penny
Bridge, with Half Penny House just beyond.
Take a detour up to Queen Margaret Road,
beyond Queen Margaret Bridge and visit
Greek Thomson’s Sixty Steps overlooking
the original remains of Queen Margaret
Bridge. Retrace your steps and observe the
herons and egrets as they fish on the weir
underneath the bridge. Beyond, on your way
downstream, is North Woodside Flint Mill.
The mill originally opened in 1765 as a grain
mill and was even used for grinding gun
powder during the Napoleonic wars.
On the side wall of the walkway beside
the mill look out for the mysterious stone
carvings. Heading down towards Kelvingrove
the bridges over the Kelvin have such a
vibrant history and are well worth a closer
look than we tend to give them. As you reach
the park following the underpass at Gibson
Street, you might notice a stone cairn circle.
The An Clachan memorial remembers a
popular exhibit of a highland village, designed
and on show during the 1911 Scottish
National Exhibition.
With so much history to take in, it’s time
for ‘a little something’ as Pooh might say.
A favourite doggy spot for elevens’ is Sonny
and Vito’s, Park Road. A quite delightful deli,
the guys in here will very much welcome you
and doggy. Serving breakfast from 9-12, there
is a great choice of waffles, breakfast staples
such as poached eggs with organic bread
and Ramsay’s crispy bacon. For something
a little more substantial, Sonny and Vito’s
soups, sandwiches and salads are to die
for. With Union Roast coffee and too many
tempting pastries to avoid, it’s a great spot to
while away the remainder of the morning with
Fido happily snoring at your feet.
The Clyde Canal
Our choice for an afternoon amble is the
Clyde Canal running through Maryhill.
We all know this artery of our industrial
heritage is there, but have you ever visited
it? Interspersed with housing estates and
main roads you may well have seen the blue
signage guiding you to the canal. Follow it
and not only do you get a pleasant walk with
the dog, there’s lots to learn. And it’s a great
little meander of an afternoon.
You can join the towpath off the canal just
beyond Kelvindale station on Cleveden
Road. Heading city bound there’s a whole
host of examples of the canal’s history.
On joining the canal you’ll see the bridge
keepers cottages built for the canal workers.
A little further on the vast Kelvin aqueduct
transverses the river 400ft across and 70ft
high. Before long you will reach Maryhill
locks and basin which is a really pretty spot
to stop and enjoy the view. Behind you rise
the Collina Street flats, home to Still Game’s
Jack and Victor. Continue along the length
of the canal and view the Mackintosh Ruchill
Church, designed by Rennie Mackintosh in
1899. What’s so lovely about this walk is the
care Scottish Canals have taken to keep you
well informed with numerous information
boards dotting the way. Look out for the
board by East Park noting Roy Rodgers and
Triggers visit to Maryhill in 1954!
Beyond the Bilsland Drive aqueduct you can
rejoin Maryhill Road and look forward to that
well deserved lunch. A favourite spot and
super dog friendly venue is The Strathmore,
Maryhill Road. Renovated in 2015, this
gorgeous pub/restaurant doesn’t confine
you and your hairy pal to the bar. Instead,
go inside and enter the quite stunning
conservatory, elevated and totally glass
fronted. Lucy quite happily sits watching
through the window for any squirrel or fox
action. There is also a lovely outside elevated
decked area with sparkling fairy lights
overhead. Staff always ensure that dogs have
their water, while you can look forward to
some top notch grub, including the