The Three Lochs Way: Helensburgh to Garelochhead

Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   Text © Copyright August 2012, Lairich Rig; licensed for re-use under a Creative Commons Licence.
Images also under a similar Creative Commons Licence.


NS2985 : The Three Lochs Way by Lairich RigThree Lochs Way marker post

The Three Lochs Way is a 32-mile (52-kilometre) route that begins at BallochExternal link, and which leads through HelensburghExternal link, GarelochheadExternal link and ArrocharExternal link, to finish at InveruglasExternal link. It is described in detail at the official Three Lochs Way websiteExternal link.

The present article is a collection of photographs illustrating the second stage of the walk, namely, the 6½ mile long (10½ km) section between Helensburgh and Garelochhead. A full description and mapExternal link of this section of the Three Lochs Way can be found at the official website; walkers should refer to that site for details of the route, and for any updates.

As for the present article, it should not be used as a guide to the Three Lochs Way; it is simply a photographic record of the walk, intended to complement the map and description given at the official site.

For a similar article about the first stage of the walk, see The Three Lochs Way: Balloch to HelensburghExternal link.

Helensburgh to Garelochhead

From the Hill House to Drumfad Wood

The photographs below were taken between Upper Colquhoun Street, where this second stage of the route begins beside the Hill House, and the eastern edge of Drumfad Wood.

NS3083 : The Hill House, Helensburgh by Lairich RigNS3083 : Upper Colquhoun Street, Helensburgh by Lairich RigNS3083 : Car park near the Hill House by Lairich Rig(left) The Hill House, as seen from the street
(middle) Upper Colquhoun Street, beside the Hill House
(right) The footpath leads away from this small car park
NS2983 : The Upland Way by Lairich RigNS2984 : Footbridge on the Upland Way by Lairich RigNS2984 : Footbridge on the Upland Way by Lairich Rig(left) This part of the route is also on the Upland Way
(middle) Further along the Upland Way
(right) The path crosses several small footbridges
NS2984 : The Upland Way by Lairich RigNS2984 : Three Lochs Way signpost by Lairich RigNS2984 : The Three Lochs Way by Lairich Rig(left) Approaching Drumfad Wood
(middle) The path turns to the north-east here
(right) The ascent along the edge of the woods begins here

From Drumfad Wood to the Black Bridge

These photos show the ascent along the eastern edge of Drumfad Wood, and then the descent towards a road that leads through Glen Fruin. The path meets this road not far from the Black Bridge.

Some parts of this section of the route were later improved; in the caption to some of these views, I have therefore added links to later pictures, showing the upgraded path.

NS2984 : The Three Lochs Way by Lairich RigNS2984 : The Three Lochs Way by Lairich RigNS2985 : Path to Glen Fruin by Lairich Rig(left) The ascent along the eastern edge of Drumfad Wood (after improvementExternal link)
(middle) Looking back downhill (after improvementExternal link)
(right) Reaching the corner of the woods (after improvementExternal link)
NS2985 : The Three Lochs Way by Lairich RigNS2985 : Highlandman's Wood - Glen Fruin track by william craigNS2985 : The Three Lochs Way by Lairich Rig(left) Leaving Drumfad Wood
(middle) Passing a smaller patch of woodland
(right) The start of an improved section of the footpath
NS3085 : Path to Glen Fruin by Lairich RigNS3086 : Path to Glen Fruin by Lairich RigNS3086 : End of path to Glen Fruin by Lairich Rig(left) Crossing the Green Burn
(middle) Descending towards the road
(right) Joining the road

From the Black Bridge to Auchengaich

An ancient cross slabExternal link can be seen from the road in front of the old schoolhouseExternal link. That building is not on the Three Lochs Way, and is not shown below, but it is only a short distance from the Black BridgeExternal link, which is on the route.

NS3086 : The Black Bridge by Lairich RigNS3086 : Fruin Water by william craigNS3086 : The Three Lochs Way by Lairich Rig(left) The Black Bridge
(middle) A view from the bridge
(right) Turning after crossing the bridge
NS3087 : Minor road through Glen Fruin by Lairich RigNS3087 : Minor road through Glen Fruin by Lairich RigNS2987 : Minor road through Glen Fruin by Lairich Rig(left) A scenic walk along the road
(middle) Auchengaich Hill is prominent on the right
(right) Passing Blairnairn Farm

Another ancient cross slab can be seen from the road when passing Ballevoulin Farm. A little further on, the route passes the ruins of Auchenvennel.

NS2988 : Ballevoulin Farm by Lairich RigNS2988 : Cross-marked stone by Lairich RigNS2888 : The remains of Auchenvennel by Lairich Rig(left) Ballevoulin Farm, as seen from the road
(middle) Cross-marked stone at Ballevoulin
(right) The remains of Auchenvennel

From the road, near Auchengaich Farm, a cairn can be seen in a field. It used to be thought that the cairn was connected with the Battle of Glen Fruin, which took place in 1603, but it is now known to date from the Bronze Age. For a genuine memorial to the battle of Glen Fruin, see below.

NS2789 : Bronze Age cairn at Auchengaich by Lairich RigNS2789 : Glen Fruin, Auchengaich Farm by william craigNS2789 : Start of a path to Glen Luss by Lairich Rig(left) Bronze Age cairn, as seen from the road
(middle) Passing Auchengaich Farm
(right) A track to Glen Luss branches off at this point
NS2790 : Bridge over the Auchengaich Burn by Lairich RigNS2790 : Bridge over the Auchengaich Burn by Lairich RigNS2790 : The Auchengaich Burn by Lairich Rig(left) The route crosses the Auchengaich Burn by means of this bridge
(middle) The same bridge, viewed from the side
(right) The Auchengaich Burn, as seen from the bridge

From Auchengaich to the Yankee Road

From this point onwards, the route has a distinctly military feel.

NS2789 : Remains of accommodation camp by Lairich RigNS2690 : Glen Fruin, Strone House by william craigNS2690 : Bridge over the Fruin Water by Lairich Rig(left) An old military site beside the road
(middle) Passing Strone House
(right) A bridge over the Fruin Water
NS2690 : Minor road through Glen Fruin by Lairich RigNS2690 : Memorial for the Battle of Glen Fruin by Lairich RigNS2690 : Memorial for the Battle of Glen Fruin by Lairich Rig(left) Passing a training camp
(middle) Memorial for the Battle of Glen Fruin
(right) The site of the memorial

The second stage of the Three Lochs Way ends at the start of the so-called Yankee Road.

NS2589 : Remains of accommodation camp by Lairich RigNS2689 : Three Lochs Way signpost by Lairich RigNS2689 : The start of the Yankee Road by Lairich Rig(left) More military relics near the route
(middle) A Three Lochs Way signpost
(right) The second stage of the route ends here



I will not be walking stages 3 and 4 of the route, but the relevant pages on the official website are as follows:

Stage 3: Garelochhead to ArrocharExternal link

Stage 4: Arrochar to InveruglasExternal link


KML
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