329 October 2022 - Gryffe Advertizer

An Autumn Walk...
Pollock Country Park
by Rona Simpson
Pollock Country Park in Autumn is a breathtaking
sight. The magnificent mature woodlands
bathed in late summer sun are a kaleidoscope
of fire and gold. This would be reason enough
to visit, but the clincher for me is the fact that
a fascinating walk can be rounded off with a
large slice of cake courtesy of the fabulous café
at the newly reopened Burrell Collection. In
2007, the park was named Britain’s best park
and in 2008 it claimed the title of best park in
Europe. Here are my top five reasons why you
should give it a visit.
1. Culture
Pollock Country Park is 146 hectares and located between
Shawlands, Crossmaloof and Pollock – just outside Glasgow City
Centre. Pollock Estate, as it was known, is the ancestral home of the
Maxwell family for seven centuries. In 1966 the parkland was given
to the people of Glasgow. It is home to two Museums, Pollock
House and the internationally recognised Burrell Collection – which
has recently been refurbished. There is also a play area for kids and
many trails to explore.
2. History
There is a superb heritage trail running through the park which
begins at Pollock House – A grade A listed Georgian mansion. It
takes in many other features of the park including the elegant
A-listed White Cart Bridge and the B-listed Courtyard, which is
home to the Gardeners Bothy Museum which shows what life would
have been like at the park at the turn of the 20th century. It houses
many displays and hands on activities for all ages. Further on is the
Sawmill and Weir. Close again to Pollock House is the Woodland
Garden. John Stirling Maxwell funded plant exhibitions in the early
20th century. He was especially keen on Rhododendrons and bred
many hybrid species at Pollock – some of which are on display here.
The centrepiece of this garden is the heritage coppiced Beech tree
– which is thought to be over 250 years old. The heritage trail takes
about 2 hours to complete if you stop at each feature.
///leaned.deck.tables
3. Walking and Cycling
(Photo by Gordon Brown, CC BY-SA 2.0)
The wide avenues of this park make it ideal for walkers and cyclists.
You can reach the park by bike via the Route 7 or 75 of the National
Cycle Network. There has been a real effort to reduce car traffic
and cyclists are given priority access to all routes including Pollock
Avenue. There is a bike rack at the Burrell collection and you can
also hire bikes and ebikes from this area too.
4. Nature and Woodland
Fifty percent of the park is covered in woodland, which is a haven
for wildlife and an important green lung for Glasgow. The North
wood has existed since 1741 and is classified as ‘ancient’. Here
you can find 200-year-old oak and beech alongside a variety of
younger species. Throughout the park, planted by John Stirling
Maxwell, there are also scatterings of more exotic species such
as Norwegian Maple, Red and Turkey Oaks and Fern-leaved and
Dawyck Beeches.
5. Glorious Cake! (I think I mentioned this before!)
The bright airy café of the Burrell Collection is the perfect place to
unwind after all that walking or cycling!
2060 Pollokshaws Road, Bellahouston, Glasgow G43 1AT
Next Deadline...
#330 November: 12th October
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