3 November Falls of Clyde

                Superlatives are often overused now-a-days particularly by our popular media. This blog may well follow that trend of being filled with superlatives for this was a day for such. Last week we decided to venture into the Clyde Valley for some autumn colour. We were not to be disappointed. After a night’s frost the air was clear, the sun was bright and the trees held the autumnal hues that we had hoped for. All that we wanted for the day was coming together as we, all fourteen of us, assembled on the old bridge at Kirkfiedbank for our usual trip around the Falls of Clyde. Even before we started our walk, we were treated to one of nature’s marvels as the trees on the opposite side glowed in the early November sun in a pallet of yellows, browns and greens. Superb.

               Around ten thirty we crossed the bridge to the right bank of the Clyde only to be stopped temporarily by the chap with the camera. Jimmy had already spoken to him. He had been photographing the kingfisher that had just streaked off down the river and he was pleased to show us the results of his endeavours.

               Now we followed the Clydeside walkway. The short drop to the side of the river was followed by a pulse-raising climb to the outskirts of Lanark and Castlebank Park. Whoever thinks that riverside walking is level wants to follow the Clydeside walkway. From the park the pathway drops steeply in a series of zig-zags to the riverside again. We dropped with the path and for a short time it ran flat through sun-dappled woodland. An enjoyable section. Then came another climb, a steep climb, a step assisted climb, a lung-burning climb to a viewpoint high above the river looking out to New Lanark. Here we halted, partly to recover from the latest climb and partly to take in the view. And what a view it was. From high above the river, we could look upstream to see the low sun light up the sandstone walls of New Lanark and the autumn tinted trees surrounding them. Magnificent.

A short drop and a short climb brought us into the village itself. Here we halted once more - this time for a seat and refreshment. We dallied longer then usual over coffee for it was a day for such things and it was a peaceful place to sit.  Nothing could be heard but the roaring of the river as it surged through the gorge. And, of course, the blether of the Ooters. But needs must and we dragged ourselves away from New Lanark and entered the Scottish Wildlife Trust's Falls of Clyde Reserve.

       For the next quarter of a mile the walk was through more dappled woodland and then on boardwalk beside the full river. At the power station the path climbed again into the wood, eventually topping out at a viewpoint overlooking Corra Linn. Now the cameras and camera phones were out in earnest for this was sight to behold. The full force of the spating river crashed its way through tree covered banks in full autumn glory before hurtling itself over the linn into the gorge twenty metres below. Breath-taking magnificence. Ten minutes of trying to capture such a grand scene on a variety of devices and we were off again.

               Up though the autumn woodland again and the next photo opportunity came at the next waterfall, Bonnington Linn. Another ten-minute halt for some. We crossed the river by the barrage above the linn and came back down the other side of it. We sopped for lunch at the viewpoint looking back to the falls. More photo opportunities. Again, we sat longer than usual for who would want to rush away from the glory of the scene. Never have we, as a group, seen the river in such a spate nor seen the falls in such magnificent raw power. So we sat and absorbed the scene before us. Spectacular.

               The rest of the walk was through sun dappled, autumn tinted trees down the river by Corra Castle. Though this section was just as long as the first part and was excellent in its own way, it couldn’t compete with the sights we had already seen and it was a steady walk back down the riverside to the finishing point at Kirkfieldbank.

 

Only one word can be used for today’s walk – FABULOUS.

 

FRT was taken in the Black Bull in Darvel.