Forth & Clyde

Route: Gourock via Glasgow to Edinburgh, plus link routes to Portavadie (Cowal peninsula), Loch Lomond, Ardrossan & Kilmarnock, Musselburgh and the Forth Bridge

Distance: 93 miles. Map shows 342.5 miles of route, of which 267 are traffic-free.

Starting at Gourock, a port on the Firth of Clyde this route follows a predominantly traffic-free route into Glasgow via Paisley. Reaching Bells Bridge in Glasgow city centre a traffic-free path along the Clyde marks a safe route out towards the countryside. Just west of Glasgow, the route picks up the newly constructed Aidrie to Bathgate railway path. Cycling into Edinburgh, the route follows traffic free sections along the Water of Leith Walkway and Union Canal Towpath. Numerous points of interest include Edinburgh Castle, the Forth Bridges and Glasgow's museums and industrial heritage.

Another traffic-free route leads from Glasgow out to Dumbarton and the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, or head south to Ardrossan and the ferry to the Isle of Arran. Route 754 of the National Cycle Network follows the Union Canal providing an alternative traffic free link between Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Alternatively, travel west by ferry from Gourock to Dunoon where route 75 of the National Cycle Network follows single track roads across the Cowal peninsula to the Portavadie ferry terminal. From here take another ferry service to link up with the Oban to Campbeltown route on the Kintyre peninsula. For more information about Scottish ferrys visit the Caledonian MacBrayne website or find ferry saling times onthe Transport Direct website.

Route change: Airdrie to Bathgate Railway Path

Network Rail took ownership of the old railway line in July 2008. The path between Airdrie and Bathgate closed on 19 October 2008 to allow construction of the new railway line which opened on 12 December 2010.

The high quality replacement cycle route being built by Network Rail has been completed between Bathgate and Plains. It runs alongside the new railway in parts and uses minor roads in others.

The section between Plains and Drumgelloch, near Airdrie, has been delayed and should be complete by late Spring 2012. A shared-use pavement will be constructed between Drumgelloch and Plains, running along the north side of the A89. Until the new route is complete, eastbound cyclists and walkers can use the A89 or the existing pavement to reach the beginning of the traffic-free path at Ford Bridge to the east of Plains. If heading west, as you come into Drumgelloch, turn left off the A89 onto Tower Road (B8068). This is at the corner of Katherine Park and opposite the shops. After crossing the railway bridge, turn right on to Dunrobin Road; just past the curve in the road, turn right into a lane and across open grass area to join Route 75 at Torrance Avenue. If heading to Drumgelloch Railway Station, keep on the A89. For more information visit the Scottish route closures and diversions page.