I set off from home on my bike around 05:25 am to cycle to Preston.
I’m heading for Scotland to ride another route through the Borders
from Glasgow to Edinburgh. It is Bank Holiday Monday and the road
was very quiet as I cycled to Preston and the Railway Station.
Preston Railway Station
The station was almost deserted and I wondered why the 06:40 train I
was to catch was still running as I expected it to be like the
reduced service of a Sunday. Although it’s a Bank Holiday in England
it isn’t in Scotland. It was clear when I left and still clear in
Glasgow but felt a bit colder.
Glasgow Railway Station
I arrived around 09:15am and wheeled my bike into the street outside
and across the road to find some sun while I set the gps units on my
bike. I headed south to the Clyde and followed the north bank cycle
track for a short way before crossing over the river by the
footbridge. I continued on the roads but mostly on adjacent cycle
tracks and in to Pollok Park.
Through the park I left by a dense avenue of trees, crossed the M77
and on to the Pollok to Darnley cycle route. I have never seen so
many abandoned shopping trolleys and smashed bottles on the track. I
reached the A727 which I followed east then turned off south to
reach Eaglesham. I stopped at the information board which had some
photos and information about the town. It turned out to be an early
Model or Colony town build from scratch for local industry. On the
board was a picture of Rudolph Hess, the WW2 German, though there
was no comment to say why he was there.
Approach to Strathaven
Rudolf Hess
Adolf Hitler and deputy Rudolf Hess
Rudolf Hess was the Deputy Führer to Adolf Hitler in 1933, he served
in this position until 1941, when he flew solo to Scotland in an
attempt to negotiate peace with the United Kingdom during World War
II. He baiked out of his plane near Floors Farm on the road I’d just
cycled along. He was captured and remained in prison for the rest of
his life.
Strathaven Bridge
The weather continued fine with high clouds but the wind was quite
blustery at times. I followed the narrow country lanes through the
countryside for the next 10 miles to Strathaven. In the town centre
I stopped by the old narrow bridge across the river then rode to the
access steps to the ruinous steps up to Strathaven Castle.
Strathaven Castle
Thankfully the ruins have been stabilised but most of the structure
has now gone. On the top were some grassy areas and I’d considered
camping the night but decided against it. I rode to the Sainsbury
supermarket to buy 2, 2lt bottles of water for 20p each then cycled
out of the town to the B7086 to the bridge over Avon Water.
Strathaven Old Town Hall
I turned down a minor lane to the old original bridge and a nice
area with some open fields. I spoke to a couple by the old bridge
house. They told me about the Craigmill Strathaven micro-brewery
further along the lane.
Some beer for tea
I called to buy a couple of bottles of beer for £4.50 and was given
a conducted tour. I also got permission from the man who owned the
field by the road to camp.
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Whittle Wanderer
