Essential Information about Strathaven Walk
Distance: 3 miles
Time: 1 – 2 hours
Difficulty: easy/moderate
Terrain: footpaths and meadow
Start/finish point: Common Green, Strathaven
Transport: Train – East Kilbride railway station 8 miles; Bus – regular services between East Kilbride and Hamilton and Strathaven
Refreshment: Strathaven is well served by tearooms, pubs and restaurants
Background
Strathaven, a bustling market town, is left behind for the tranquillity of the banks of the Avon Water. The river banks are stocked with colourful wild flowers, grey wagtails and dippers flit over the water and if you are very lucky you might even spot a feeding otter.
Points of interest along the Strathaven Walking Route
1. Strathaven Castle (ruin) – one of the many lords of Strathaven castle punished his wife by having her bricked up alive inside a purpose built niche. Recently human remains were found when part of the castle walls collapsed.
2. Spectacle E’e (eye) falls – the unusual name is the result of an incident involving a local lad who fell in love with the miller’s beautiful daughter. The miller disapproved and put an end to the romance. As revenge the lad placed an eye glass in the mill’s thatch. The thatch soon caught fire and the mill was burned to the ground.
3. Strathaven Brewery – producing real ales with a local character; walkers should contact the brewery to arrange a visit www.strathavenales.co.uk
Strathaven Walking Route
Leave the Common Green by Main Street (south).
Cross the road to the Castle Tavern and go round into Todshill Street.
Follow Todshill Street and then carry straight on to leave Strathaven.
Once out of Strathaven cross the stile – signed Sandford 1 mile.
Go downhill through the field keeping to the right.
Cross the bridge over the Avon Water and then turn right upstream.
After a short distance turn left to follow the Kype Water.
Staying on this bank continue to steps - short detour to right through remains of old mill for close-up view of the falls.
To continue, climb steps and follow stream as it tumbles over a series of cataracts. Go to the left across the field to the stile.
Cross stile and go to the right and then follow road round to left.
In Sandford go right and cross bridge. Turn right and follow farm road. At main road turn right and follow B7086 (broad pavement) into Strathaven. The brewery is by the old bridge over the Avon on your left.