Dalmoak to Balloch
Date: 23rd October 2022
Leader: Miles
Grade: C+
Number on walk: 9
Click here for GPX track of the walk
Two of our group studying the entrance portico of Dalmoak House
Dalmoak House was built in the Scottish baronial style from 1866 to 1869 for a Glasgow wine and spirits merchant earning the house the local nickname of Brandy Castle. Through the years the house has experienced several uses. It was used by the Aikin family until 1934 when it was leased to a farmer. During the 2nd World War it was used by the RAF as the headquarters of the Clydebank decoy system. It was then used as home for homeless families and cattle stalling until 1964. It was restored and used as a nursing home in 2004 and is currently disused but available for sale
Kipperoch Lane, which we crossed as we climbed above Dalmoak House, was covered with fallen leaves
We had our morning break at the site of the control bunker for Starfish site 13a
Starfish was a military code for a decoy site where oil burners were ignited to create a false impression of burning buildings to divert enemy aircraft from their intended target
The view over Dumbarton Rock and across the river Clyde from starfish site 13a
The highest point on our walk. The 161m trig point on Carman Muir
Lunch at Carman Reservoir – shared with a greylag goose
Glorious autumn colours by the river Leven near Renton
Our afternoon break alongside the river Leven at Alexandria