Rivers end, for me at least. Clyde Walkway Crossford - New Lanark

Walk: Clyde Walkway; Crossford - Lanark
Category: Long Distance Walk 
Height: n/a
A brief respite in this awful weather spell so I decided to take the good lady for a run and finish off my last section of the Clyde Walkway.
Interested to see snow lying on the hills just before Strathaven and some pink/grey clouds in the sky, what is in store for us?
Basically started the walk at the same bridge where I finished the last section and took the track that goes alongside the river on our right side and the road into the Valley park on the other, not a rural feeling yet.

Happy as pigs in ? They seemed to be.

We walked alongside a family farm area which had a small mini railway line running throughout, looks good for the kids. Some of the animals looking happier than others.

Another shut bridge but no sign of work here.

The suspension bridge is reached, blocked off, another closure, not easy to cross the river around here.

On the grassy slopes you can see the fruit trees

Looking at the slopes on the hills across the river there is clear evidence of orchards that this valley is famed for.

Looks easy but it was tricky avoiding a  muddy backside

For the next mile or so the track is squeezed between open farmland and the river. Very pleasant, blue skies above, except for the muddy track. The clay soil simply clogged up the soles of my boots so it was like walking on wooden planks on an ice rink, slipping and sliding all over the shop.

Wee falls

The noise of the water soon announces that the terrain is narrowing and gaining height, with small falls then becoming bigger falls. A tremendous roaring sound with all the recent rain, brilliant, who doesn’t like a high running river walk?

Impressive weir the Clyde flowing through strongly

The hydro power station appears in view through the trees. Now very high up above the impressive falls at Stonebyres Linn. 

R. I. P.

However, on the track there is yet another sad memorial marking the death of another youngster. I presume a suicide into the falls far below, tragic.

Traditional engineering, our heritage

As you cross the power station walkway take in the impressive machinery but also the contrast of flat calm water on one side and the roaring water on the other.

Looking downstream from the weir

A unavoidable bit of a trudge roadside through the village of Kirkfieldbank. There is a shop if you need food etc. I noticed a poster asking for information on the death of the young lad at the falls, maybe not a suicide after all!!
Not crossing the road bridge but slightly further down cross the Clydesholm Bridge where two long islands give the impression of three different rivers merging. Turn right at the house, through the gate. Back on the riverside path along to the sewage works and then the lungs get going again. Up and down all the way to the finish.
Turn into the woods at a spot where William Wallace committed a murder and history was set in motion.

Heading down the zig zags back to the river

The wooded track is initially a very steep long zigzag path down to the river bank. A pleasant woodland walk, not even dog walkers around. Actually saw very few people on this today. A nice waterfall on the other side.

New Lanark mills come into view

The Way climbs up again, breathing faster again and meet up with a viewpoint giving better views to the mill buildings. 
Finally it joins the road into New Lanark and soon after joins the road. Turn right to head down to New Lanark. 
We had covered the Falls section before so for now it was time to one of the many farm cafes en route back home.
I enjoyed another of these long distance trails, saw plenty of new sights, learned about my countryside, which is what it is all about, exploring Scotland.

Wildlife: Grey squirrel x 2; Wood Pigeon; Blue Tit; Coal Tit; Great Tit; Jackdaw; Carrion Crow; Goldfinch.
Time: 2.08
Ascent: 231m
Distance: 8.7km