📌 Caldercruix, North Lanarkshire
★★
Hillend Reservoir lies to the east of Caldercruix village. Designed to supply water for Monklands Canal, it was the largest manmade reservoir in the world at the time of its construction in the 1790s. That title has long since been lost and the reservoir’s importance has waned since the canal was abandoned for navigational purposes in 1952, but it retains interest for anglers and walkers (not to mention wildfowl). A cycle path makes quick work of the south bank, while the north bank has rougher paths but more interesting scenery. Refreshments are sometimes available from the angling club café at the east end of the reservoir.
📷 Chronological photo guide
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish on Gowan Brae, east side of Caldercruix
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NS 825679
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 55.889791,-3.880197
🚆🚌 Train / bus to Caldercruix
🚗 Car park
📝 Key info
▶ 7 km / 4 mi | ▲ 20 m | ⌛ 2 hr
Features: 💧 Hillend Reservoir
⬤ Easy | Mostly tarmac cycle path on south side of loch; narrower dirt / grass paths for return on north side. Northeast side is less well trodden for a short stretch – a little overgrown in high summer.
Download file for GPS➡️ Anticlockwise circuit of Hillend Reservoir
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Scores of Canada geese, grey heron, oystercatchers, seagulls, rabbits. A jay nearby on the drive to the start.
Weather: Mostly overcast with some blue sky & a couple of passing showers, 14°C.
July 2023
