Neilston Pad

At 260m above sea level, views from 'The Pad' extend as far as Tinto Hill, Ben Lomond and Arran.

About the route

Download a map of the route with directions  (PDF) [1MB]

Watch a video of the route

Directions

1. From Neilston train station turn right onto Kingston Road and walk
2. uphill past the play park and playing fields. Cross to the left hand side of the road after Glen Shee Avenue.
3. At the end of the pavement turn left onto a farm track.
4. Follow the track as it curves away from Neilston with the countryside immediately opening out to reach Craig of Neilston Farm. Bear right to reach a gate.
5. Go through the gate and climb gently with a wood on your right. At a fork take the track on the left past a wall and follow it left then right through open ground to reach a gate.
6. Through the gate, turn right onto a smaller path which climbs up to the lower slopes of Neilston Pad. Go through an opening in the fence and turn left following a path which climbs steeply through woodland.
7. Continue through the woodland until it starts to level off and opens out to give great views over Snypes Dam. The path then veers right through an opening in the fence which leads to a cairn at the top of Neilston Pad with views to Ben Lomond and the Arran hills.
8. The path then continues on towards a line of conifers and starts to descend with views over to Harelaw Dam. Follow it through an opening in the fence and continue downhill through another opening and left towards a seat.
9. Follow the path towards, then through, the trees over sometimes boggy ground to a post with a route indicator and onto the main track.
10. Turn right then after a few metres go right again onto another track which goes gently downhill. The track turns to the right passing a rough path on the left which goes round Craighall Dam.
11. Follow the main track overlooking Craighall Dam and at the north end of the dam continue up a gentle incline through the trees.
12. Keep to the main track and at the end of the trees go through a kissing gate and descend with a wood on your left. Bear left down to the small gate which takes you back to Craig of Neilston Farm.
13. Follow the farm track back to Kingston Road, turn right and walk back to Neilston train station.