The Glasgow side of the Country Park

Alex Glass

Depends on where you want to go. The Dams are at the back and it is easier to get to them from Aurs Road, Barrhead.

By car M77 to Newton Mearns as you come off take a right and head for Barrhead.

Don't know if it is the Neilston train from Central that stops at Patterton Station.

If you are up for a walk you could make your way to Nitshill Road and use the path from the Ashoka at the Mill.

M77 to Arden cut off and turn right onto Nitshill Road past Sainsbury's to Ashoka. Good parking facilities.

Barrhead Train from Central to Nitshill on Nitshill Road turn right and past the Gala Bingo to Ashoka.

wee minx

I parked on the wee back road, there's a few layby type thingies, usually guys park there when going to fish.
There is quite a bit of wild life around, I'm sure I saw an otter or a stoat(not quick enough with the camera

). There was more i could have seen, but it was very remote, felt a wee bit spooky on my own.

Alex Glass

As Vice Chair of the Dams to Darnley Country Park. I would encourage everyone to visit the dams. Some improvement works have been carried out and more is planned for this year.

I am trying to encourage better access to information about the CP through a website and leaflets about the annual report of the Joint Committee between Glasgow and East Renfrewshire Council.

The road you refer to WM is Aurs Road and it is one of the few parking areas near the CP.

Alex Glass · The Glasgow side of the Country Park

As the Dams to Darnley Country Park is mostly within the Glasgow boundary Should this not be moved to a more suitable location?

I went for a wonder from Nitshill Road upto the Dams.

This is mostly on the Glasgow side.

Alex Glass · East Renfrewshire end of Dams to Darnley

Up at the Dams

wee minx

Nice pics alex, :) ( smileys no wurkin :( ), I used to call them the Dams and always thought they were in Glasgow,.
I went from my Grannies in Househillmuir to them every weekend mostly.

Alex Glass

Now that there are more new houses in the area they have decided to give them a name.

Which part of Househillmuir did your gran live? (Glad to see you called it Househillmuir, some people just refere to the area as Househillwood)

You can see a full collection of my photos on my Flickr.

wee minx

Alex Glass

I live on Cleeves Road.

We should start a thread "Priesthill, Nitshill and Househillmuir".

I have a few photos and have been posting on the other site. There are a couple of guys on there from the area. We should get them over here for a wee project.

Alex Glass · Parkmeadow links to Dams to Darnley

A new network of paths which will be linked to routes to Dams to Darnley Counrty Park.

Walk through the estate from Parkhouse Road to the far end of the estate to find the link.

At the side of the Show Home for Bryant Homes

Alex Glass · Gorbals Water Company 1899

An old photo passed to me.

The Gorbals Water Company were responsible for running the Dams.

james73

Great pic - I think I can even spot Hollowhorn...

James H

Scary

Alex Glass · Boundary Map Dams to Darnely Country Park

This map shows the boundary for the Dams to Darnley Country Park.

Sorry about the quality but it is lost in the scanning process and file reduction.

Ronnie

Alex Glass

cheesylion

Can I suggest that a mod edits or deletes Alex's post above? I'm sure you will understand why. I have sent him a PM but he might not get it straight away.

james73

I've edited his post.

Alex - if you want to edit it back that's ok, but remember this is an open forum
and the tinterweb is full of nutters. Some of them even post on this forum...

James H

cheesylion

Good work James, nice one.

Alex is a good guy and I wouldn't any freakies turning up at his door.

Alex Glass

Thank you guys.

If anyone is interested in a tour of Nitshill and the surrounding area I would be happy to select a few interesting places.

Unfortunately there may not be much of the old stuff to see but there is a lot happening.

scallopboy

There's always the tree Mary Queen of Scott's was supposed to have had a rest under to see! I always keep forgetting to take a photo of it.

Alex Glass

This is the tree.

scallopboy

That's the tree!

HollowHorn

Never knew of it's existence!!!! Gobsmacked.

Alex Glass

Starting a new thread as Nitshill is in Glasgow whilst part of the dams is in East Renfrew.

Posting up some map section that y be of interest.

neilmc

My first post; I'll introduce myself in the appropriate thread.

I'm sure this has been done before on another site, but here's a link to a very high-definition aerial photo (taken in winter, 1959) of part the Dams, with Nitshill, Priesthill, old Darnley and Arden featuring.

It's from The Glasgow Story, and I could study this photo for hours:-

http://www.theglasgowstory.com/imageview.php?inum=TGSE00508

Alex Glass

Welcome Neil

Glad to see you have made the trip over here. I have also started a thread in Urban Adventures for Nitshill. Hopefully you will be able to participate on adding some of your local knowledge.

Thanks for this web link.

neilmc

A frosty Darnley Country Park this morning:-

scallopboy

Alex Glass

Neil we appear to have been working at both ends of the Brock Burn today.

I have some photos of the Burn down in Priesthill. Haven't transferred them from my camera yet. Will hopefully get some posted up later.

Nice photos Neil.

neilmc

Thanks scallopboy and Alex; glad I took the day off today.

Looking forward to the 'down river' photos.

Here's another one, a particularly rustic corner of the park:-

Alex Glass

As promised Neil

A couple from earlier today at the Priesthill end of the Brock.

See more of Priesthill Park and Walkway here

neilmc

Thanks for posting those photos Alex: did your Flickr tour, which brought back some memories; haven't hung about that area since around 1970, and even then I got chased!

It reminded me of the allotments that used to be there, against the railway line at the junction of Neilston Avenue and Glenmuir Drive. If you went under the railway via the main bridge in your photos there was a spot where travelling folk used to camp up, roughly where Kennishead Road and Glen Moriston Road now meet; got chased by them as well!

Seeing the photos of Burnbrae Primary reminded me of a band I used to hang about with who called themselves variously Glass Onion and Death of Creation, who practiced and played in Burnbrae: Nicky McEwan, lead guitar; Nat McGhee, rhythm guitar; Andy Ramsay, bass guitar; and an unknown drummer, although I painted an apocolyptic landscape on his bass drum cover. I remember one gig in Burnbrae where I was acting as some sort of roadie; after the gig, we got chased.....

johnmcn

Can you remember the old tunnel behind the Plots?
Pretty sure there used to be two,one got filled in leaving the one that had Scojo,Cas +Belldo's graffiti on it (that must have been there near 20 years)

Did the travellers park on the old spare ground behind the 'kingy' ?

neilmc

Don't remember any tunnels, johnmcn - did they go under the railway where the station is now? They must have been a well-kept secret in my time as a kid in Priesthill (1964-68). Only started hanging out there again briefly as a teenager in the early '70s.

You've got me stumped with the 'kingy' too; was that anything to do with the old bridge with no sides which crossed the Brock Burn a wee bit further up the road? Is it still there?

johnmcn

Yeah pretty sure i remember a tunnel just down a bit from where the station is now.I remember you could see the outline of it from Kennesihead rd,just the outer stonework because it had been filled in with red ash so stood out.If you rummaged about through the bushes you could probably find it..

The Kingy was the king swing just along from the old bridge,a big tree long gong.Think you can just make out the clearing if you stand at the 'new' park...
Ahh the memories,jumping on and swinging maybe 30' high crapping yourself,then as you return someone shouts "boardie" and 6 or 7 people jump on crushing your nads ;D good fun,shame something like that would be fenced off and signposts put up nowadays

neilmc

Alex Glass

Fantastic stories Neil and John.

Neil

Did the band play anywhere else or was it just locally?

John

There was some discussion about other tunnels up at the Levern Bridge.

Did they look like this

johnmcn

No pretty sure it was very similar to the present one further down but smaller due to the line of the hill,well i assume it was similar going by the stone work cause it was filled in...
You've got me thinking i'm going senile now

Behind the plots is where the best brambles grew and when the rhubarb was out of season (

) we picked those along the line so pretty sure about it (or was anyway

) and yeah we got lifted by the police for doing that and got dragged up to a hearing in the central station

It's roughly around where i put the red circle,and i've just noticed the line of trees i disrupted there,maybe by the filling in..Might be a better chance of seeing part of it in the priesty end...

now i'll need to ask my dad when i see him next week to make sure i'm not going mad

neilmc

Alex Glass

John

Where your circle is located I think is where the new houses are.

It may be difficult getting to see any evidence of the tunnel. It may be better looking from the Kennishead Road to see if it is still visible.

Thanks Neil in the early eighties we transported a band to a couple of gigs in the Partick area. They lived in the area. So I was wondering if any of them could have been members of that band. I can't remember their names but will ask my brother the next time I see him to see if he remembers.

johnmcn

I just remembered the old photo someone posted in HG and had a look back.

You can see the old tunnel and the path running to it...see not mad after all

neilmc

wee minx

Oh my goodness, thats a great pic, I think i can see the back of Househillmuir and the Brickworks and its chimney!!!

...if thats it..I', jumping up and down, its the first pic I've ever saw of it..I played there as a wee girl..at the brickworks. anybody know if i'm seeing right?

neilmc

Your dead right Wee Minx, and I can see all four houses I lived in as a youngster: on Ravenscraig Drive, Lunderston Drive, Neilston Avenue and Peat Road.

As for that tunnel, John, I must have used it! I've got something to work on now, so I'll check the old maps in work when I go back.

johnmcn

Looking at both piccies it seems i was off a bit,my original circle should be a bit to the left.If you look at the older one the original wall does seem to arch out a bit on the Kennishead rd bit. So the tunnel would be approximately as it turns in..

The older pic is how i like to remember Priesthill,i'm a 70's child so when they started knocking those old tenements down a lot of my mates moved away.Then when they renovated the others losing the top floor i lost some more..
Seen Burnbrae go to a full school with a full annexe to a few classes a few years back when i went to enquire about some school photos.

Alex Glass

Alex Glass

I was on the train yesterday and had a look as it passed Priesthill.

You can see that there is a wall that runs all the way down the side of the park. Just where your circle is John it is clear that the wall takes a turn toward the railway. It is about the third house down from the station on the new Glenmuir Avenue.

johnmcn

I asked my brother and mate about it and they clearly remember it,prior to it being filled it was blocked off with corrugated steel sheets(i had forgotten about that )It must have been late seventies or very early eighties it was filled in.Wouldve ideal for access to both sides of the station imho

I just realised the corner of Muirshiel and Glenmuir is different,i'd forgotten they changed it when it became a bus route to pollok Centre,dont think the person at the 'Tee' close liked it,they took a chunk of their garden for the wider corner

neilmc

Unh@ppyb@st@rd

Alex Glass

I have a coupe of map sections of the Cleeves area UHB. I will post them on the Nitshill thread as this discussion is leading to the Glasgow end again.

Nice photo Neil.

I forgot to post up earlier.

Geo · DIRECTIONS!

Hey! ... Does anyone know how to get to Barrhead Dams by bus from the city centre ?... i usually go with my dad but he's got the car so its easier ta get ta obv lol [i did get offered lesson son my 18th but bleeehhh couldnt be assed xD] so if anyone could help ... MUCH APRECIATED! CHEERS!

udrigle

Hi there,
Get a 47, 48, 57 or 56 to Nitshill road, get off at the Ashoka, [ask the driver, he will know where it is] and follow Corselat road, [the road that runs alongside the ashoka] It will take you all the way up to the dams, about a 20minute walk.

Smartalex · Re: DIRECTIONS!

Geo

Cheers guys!...

... its kl i know were the ashoka is ... my dad usually parks there when go there sometimes and walk down the road beside it THANKS A LOT ANYWAY!

... i just wanted ta now what busses go past

... btw .... is there a bus stop close to the ashoka?... just so know!... =] Cheers guys!

Smartalex

There are bus stops on nearly all the main roads around the ashoka, just get up when you see it and walk back you should be pretty close by.

P.s Don't be a stranger, take some photo's of your trip and post them up here, it's always good to see some pics.

Cheers,
Alex.

Alex Glass

Geo

There are a couple of Park Rangers employed now. I don't know at the moment where they operate from but if you need any further help let me know and I will get you contact details for them.

udrigle

It's good to hear that there are some park rangers there now, there have been lot's of improvements to the paths and entrances over the last few months. I walk around there most days and spotted 2 Deer just last week down at the pond, so the wildlife is also still around, i was woried that all the new housing may have chased them away.

johnmcn

Alex Glass

Where have you been John

mcnally

Great pics of barrhead dams. I worked there over 30 years ago and enjoyed it very much. used to be on night shift and walked from nitshill in the pitch dark scarey stuff.

Alex Glass

Welcome to Urban Glasgow McNally.

Glad to hear you liked all the photos. It is always interesting to hear stories from people who can associate with the images posted.

Would like to hear more about your experience at the Dams

Murn

1) at top of the spare ground up from shops, my brothers and pals

2) just in front of shops on Priesthill Road, my sister and brother

Our family moved to Priesthill when it was first built, my older sister told me that there was a big farmers barn on the spare ground that picture 1 shows.

wee minx

That brings back memories Murn..lovely

Alex Glass

They family photos are great Murn.

The aerial of Priesthill was taken before Cleeves was built in the 70's and you can see the brick works. I have seen it before and am still trying to get old aerial photos of the area but it has proven difficult. There is one which shows the Barrhead Road at the Bundy but it doesn't go as far up as Priesthill.

A friend moved into a house in Househillwood when it was first completed and clearly remembers the open fields that became Craigbank/Priesthill/Nitshill/South Nitshill/Darnley.

He also talks about the Italian Prisoner of War Camp which he claims was over toward Cowglen.

Fjord

Welcome to UG Murn that's a great first post

Murn · Tunnel

I seem to remember two tunnels in the park, one closer to the swings and the second at the end where the turnip fields were

Can anyone tell me where exactly the shady was, I was asking my sisters but they can't really remember either

The shady was where we used to swim I think it was the deeper part of the burn.

Alex Glass

I am sure if Big Drew comes on line he will be able to answer your question

I am not originally from the area and only know the area over the last 20 years.

Not complaining but maybe this part of this thread could have either been included in one of the other threads which cover the area as it is in Glasgow or it could make a new thread

(Maybe one of the mods could assist

)

johnmcn · Re: Tunnel

Murn

I did not realise that your image was from the same area. When I stayed in Priesthill Kennishead road was not there.

Not sure but is that Darnley area

I remember cutting through Darnley Lane to go to the dams, and you are right best spot for brambles. We made a little secret hidey hole up beside the tracks there. Gypsies used to have a camp around there.

Unh@ppyb@st@rd

Murn u must be about 100

Kennishead road has been there a long time. i remember it from when i was a lad. The photo below is from 1920's.

http://www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.u...Go&page=1&imagesize=large

Murn

am expecting my telegram fae the Queen any day

Perhaps it was called Kennishead Road but I am sure it was just a wee dirt lane, bit you know how bad yer memory gets at a 100

I can't remember any houses on it do you know exactly where abouts on the road that picture was taken

Unh@ppyb@st@rd

emm nope but you cant look from Kennishead Road to Carnwadric now. The original part of Kennishead road is from Barrhead Road probably only went as far as Kennishead farm. Turretbank Drive (Boydstone road) was used during war for AA implacements also think hospital & Italian Prisoner of War Camp.

Alex Glass

If you look at the aerial photo there is no sign of Kennishead Road. The plots for the new houses on Glenmuir Drive are laid out. These houses at the side of the railway and the new station Priesthill/Darnley is at the bottom of the plots. This is close to the road now and there is now sign of it.

My wife's family moved to these house and were there before Darnley was built. It was a field before Darnley was built so I think that Kennishead Road may have been extended when Darnley was built.

Murn

I have been trying to find some old pictures of the area but with no luck.
I am remember walking over the bridge at the burn to go to Carnwadric and I think Kenishead road started there

The part leading to nitshill road could have been Darnley Lane

I think there used to be a hospital there, just where the road going towards South Nitshill is now. But my mind could be playing tricks on me

johnmcn

neilmc

Darnley Country Park:-

Alex Glass

Great photos Neil.

The Country Park is looking good don't you think

Scary

More of these please Neil

Jock58 · Re: The Glasgow side of the Country Park

Alex Glass

It is directly behind the Ashoka Jock

I know it may not look like it but it is the same bridge. I was there yesterday and took this photo.

Jock58

Hi Alex
Thanks for confirming this bridge. I know which one it is now. I remember there were at least 3 bridges in that area one looked much older and very unsafe and one had metal girders across the span.
Must have a walk down that way next trip to Glasgow.
Jock58

Alex Glass

You will be referring to these bridges Jock.

Older Bridge

Third Bridge

Jock is it possible that this was the location of the bridge with the steel girders? Or is it the previous photo you are referring to.

Alex Glass

From this

to this

A bit of past present to show how the new entrance to the Brock Burn Walkway from Nitshill Road to the Dams.

Jock58

Hi Alex
Its been 35 years but i remember that area was a while lot wilder then, looks like there are nice paths to follow now.
The bridge with the girders was a high bridge. The girders formed the span. Even from a kids eye view it must have been 8 to 10 ft over the water. I think we called it the irony (not the Levern one). I remember it was pretty scary crossing it. If the bottle went you could always shuffle across on your butt

I think i mentioned before about the dippers nesting in the wall of that bridge.
I'm pretty sure it was near the back of the Darnley mill and you could see the building through the trees.
Darn i wish i could go walkabout up there.
jock58

Alex Glass

The walls with the graffiti could have been the location then Jock as it isn't far from the Mill but if just after the older bridge.

Here is another improvement which has taken place in the last couple of years.

Before/During

After/Now

Jock58

Hi Alex
Its gonna take a trip up there i think, as i said this was a high structure.
Maybe its no longer there. But i think there would still be some trace remaining it had a substantial retaining wall on the mill side bank.
I seen to remember it crossed the brock at an angle not straight like the bridges shown.

Jock58

Jock58

Hi All
Maybe Mr U will know of the bridge i mentioned behind Darnley Farm.
Jock58

mr.underwood · Bridge

Hi Jock,Sorry mate I cant recall the bridge you are referring to,the only one of that description I can think of crossed the Levern from a field at Prestwick Street to the Red Hills.I remember it being a bit hairy when it was windy.Crossing on your ar** was the safest way,but you got a roasting from your mates!!!!

Jock58 · Re: Bridge

aardee

hi jock i remember the bridges you mean there in the woods further up closer to the dams.if you follow the river heading back down from the dams they where about 300 yards down one was about 10 or 12 feet. the brick wall supports had had griffiti on it pink floyd in white paint. there was a smaller bridge further down and inbetween them there was a large steel object thatlooked like the chimmney of an old steam train but was actually an overflow pipe from the dams thats why the bridge was so high incase they had to use it dont think they ever did though. so jock does that sound like the bridges you remember

Jock58

Hi ardee
The area i think i remember is defiantly behind Darnley farm.
I have already told the wife,
I'm taking here out for the day next time we get up the road

Jock58

jamesa · Re: Barrhead Dams

jamstaruk

stumbled across this by accident but enjoyed the stories and pics i was brought up in priesthill from 1972-1995 supprised no mention of "auldy" was always some grafiti by him around the dams lol

take me back to the days of glue sniffers and mods

Stuball

jamstaruk

Alex Glass

johnmcn

Took a trip to the dams today with my son and took a doner through the woods..While i was there i came across an old bridge that Jock mentioned a while back regarding a ruin on the other side.Didn't cross it but took a piccie to put Jocks mind at rest that there is a bridge somewhere between the Old Waulkmill house ruin and the dam...

Jock58

wee minx

Went a walk up the dams yesterday, and great weather too. Tried to walk right round the lower resevoir, but got stuck almost at the railway bridge

It's a great place to visit, but also to be aware. A few dodgy people hanging about, at one point I had to back track through the woods when I saw a blue tracky appear as if startled by me. I didn't want to know what he was doing so turned round fast and went back

. Also a few buckie drinkers along the pathway, but they were friendly and just out for a wee picnic really

If you are going there and want to be where I took that pic, you will need real good waterproof walking boots, the coos leave right big holes in the fields. At one point I turned round to see what my dog was moaning at and all I could see was her wee head sticking up from in one of the deep cow hoof prints

The Glasgow side of the Country Park

East Renfrewshire end of Dams to Darnley

Parkmeadow links to Dams to Darnley

Gorbals Water Company 1899

Boundary Map Dams to Darnely Country Park

DIRECTIONS!

Re: DIRECTIONS!

Tunnel

Re: Tunnel

Re: The Glasgow side of the Country Park

Bridge

Re: Bridge

Re: Barrhead Dams