Community groups and national walking campaigners are demanding new investment to revitalise a cherished Glasgow walking and cycling route, arguing it could become a "trailblazer" for urban green access.
The Jewel in Drumchapel's Crown Needs Polish
The focus of their campaign is the Drumchapel Way, a popular 10.9-kilometre circular path that offers city dwellers a rare gateway to ancient woodland and wildlife. Starting near the Kinfauns Drive shopping centre, the well-marked trail quickly escapes the urban landscape, winding through parkland, following the wildlife-rich Cleddans Burn and passing through the ancient trees of Garscadden Woods, famed locally as the Bluebell Woods.
Walkers can enjoy shorter sections or tackle the full route, which boasts elevated viewpoints across Glasgow and a detour to the historic Castle Hill, site of a former Roman fort. Despite this natural bounty, sections of the path are plagued by problems including persistent litter, fly-tipping, boggy ground and inadequate signage.
Chronic Underinvestment Despite Volunteer Efforts
While dedicated local volunteers conduct regular clean-ups, campaigners state that years of underfunding have left the infrastructure vulnerable and in urgent need of upgrade. Ramblers Scotland believes that with modest targeted funding and sustained community support, the route could be transformed, delivering significant benefits in an area marked by health inequalities.
"The Drumchapel Way takes in big green spaces and attractive ancient woods, within Scotland’s largest city," said Jeannie Cranfield, community development officer at Ramblers Scotland. "However, some sections suffer from litter, fly-tipping and poor way-marking. With just a bit of TLC, it has huge potential to be even more beneficial to people from Drumchapel and beyond."
Echoing this sentiment, local resident and former chair of Drumchapel Community Council, Andy Lynch, called the path "the jewel in Drumchapel’s crown." He added, "It offers peace, tranquillity and an abundance of wildlife. However, in parts it can be very boggy and needs upgrading. Some litter bins and signage are also required."
Campaigning for a Sustainable Future
The push is now on to garner support for a dedicated Scottish Paths Fund to finance essential path upgrades, improved signage and long-term maintenance for vital routes like this across the country. Campaigners envision the Drumchapel Way as a flagship example of what can be achieved.
"The Drumchapel Way could be a trailblazer, in every sense of the word," Cranfield concluded. Volunteers interested in helping to monitor and improve the path are encouraged to contact Ramblers Scotland via scotland@ramblers.org.uk.
