\n The Drumchapel Way takes walkers on a roughly four and a half mile trip through woodland, with minimal on-street sections.\n<\/p>\n
\n There are many access points along the route, meaning people can do shorter sections depending on preference and ability.\n<\/p>\n
\n On a cold, but very sunny and dry, winter day, my wife and I took the trip and I was pleasantly surprised by what it had to offer.\n<\/p>\n
\n We started at the Drumchapel Way information board opposite the shopping centre on Kinfauns Drive.\n<\/p>\n
\n null (Image: Newsquest)\n<\/p>\n
\n null (Image: Newsquest)\n<\/p>\n
\n The route starts with good signposting, taking you past multi-storey flats and through urban parkland, taking walkers through wildlife havens and nature reserves in Cleddans Burn and Garscadden Woods.\n<\/p>\n
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\n Deeper into the walk, as it takes you through the woods, the city seems far away, and with blue skies above, a sense of calm and quiet takes over and I can feel my heart rate drop and mind relax.\n<\/p>\n
\n Sadly, the only blight is there is a lot of litter and fly tipping at certain points.\n<\/p>\n
\n There is evidence of community clean-ups having taken place, but it is obvious there are dumping hot spots around the route.\n<\/p>\n
\n However, it is not enough to detract from what is an excellent route, particularly through Garscadden Woods, known locally as the Bluebell Woods.\n<\/p>\n
\n null (Image: Ramblers)\n<\/p>\n
\n null (Image: Newsquest)\n<\/p>\n
\n Along this stretch, a short detour can take you up to Castle Hill between Drumchapel and Bearsden, the site of an ancient Roman fort, and offering stunning views over the city.\n<\/p>\n
\n Further on, a rural scene of a field of statuesque horses to the right is in sharp contrast to the water tower on the hill to the left, a structure synonymous with Glasgow’s peripheral housing estates.\n<\/p>\n
\n null (Image: Newsquest)\n<\/p>\n
\n null (Image: Newsquest)\n<\/p>\n
\n Minutes later, I am surprised again, as up ahead three or four deer leap across the path before blending into the background again, camouflaged by the woods.\n<\/p>\n
\n I stop and spend a few minutes trying to pick them out.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u00a0\n<\/p>\n
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\n Ramblers Scotland has taken an interest in the route and wants to see it improved to bring what could be transformational benefits to a community that has high levels of deprivation and health inequality.\n<\/p>\n
\n Jeannie\u00a0Cranfield, Ramblers Scotland community development officer,\u00a0said:\u00a0\u201cThe Drumchapel Way\u00a0takes\u00a0in\u00a0big\u00a0green\u00a0spaces\u00a0and\u00a0attractive\u00a0ancient\u00a0woods,\u00a0within Scotland\u2019s largest city.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cHowever, some sections suffer from litter, fly-tipping and poor way-marking.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cWith\u00a0just\u00a0a bit of TLC,\u00a0it\u00a0has huge potential to be even more\u00a0beneficial to\u00a0people from Drumchapel and beyond, which is why we are recruiting Path Checker\u00a0volunteers\u00a0to record conditions and help guide future improvements.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cThe\u00a0Drumchapel\u00a0Way\u00a0could be a trailblazer,\u00a0in every sense of the word.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n Government investment could benefit routes like the Drumchapel Way, bringing benefits to natural infrastructure and health and well-being.\n<\/p>\n
\n Jeannie added: \u201cAt a national level, Ramblers Scotland is campaigning for a new \u00a350 million Scottish Paths Fund\u00a0during\u00a0the next five-year parliament.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cYears of chronic underspending mean the need\u00a0for investment in paths\u00a0has never been greater, especially in less well-off areas.\u00a0Relatively small\u00a0sums\u00a0can deliver big benefits for people\u2019s health and happiness,\u00a0just like at Drumchapel.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n Andy Lynch,\u00a0Drumchapel resident and former\u00a0chair of\u00a0Drumchapel Community\u00a0Council, is a regular on the route.\n<\/p>\n
\n null (Image: Newsquest)\n<\/p>\n
\n He said: \u201cThe Drumchapel Way is a fantastic walk.\u00a0I’m\u00a0fortunate as I live\u00a0very near\u00a0to one of the entrances.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n “It’s\u00a0the\u00a0jewel in Drumchapel\u2019s crown, offering peace,\u00a0tranquillity,\u00a0and an abundance of wildlife,\u00a0making\u00a0it a stress-free walk.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cHowever,\u00a0in parts\u00a0it\u00a0can be very boggy and needs upgrading. Some litter bins and signage are also\u00a0required.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n “Overall,\u00a0I would recommend it to anyone as it\u2019s certainly worth the time and effort\u00a0\u00a0and improves your physical and mental health.”\n<\/p>\n