"There's a river that runs through Glasgow"
I love that song by Passenger because it is about a defining feature of Glasgow as a city. The river Clyde is iconic in so many ways, and it was the muscle behind Glasgow's industrial past. My new flat this year is a little bit further away from Byres Road, but a lot closer to the river walk, so I feel I have made a decent enough trade. When I walk along the Clyde I feel even more tied to the city, and being there makes me feel calm when I am in a bad mood.
My dad always goes nuts when I tell him that I am walking or cycling by the Clyde, because it used to be a bad area, and also because it has bridges over to Govan, which also has a bad rep. But, to be honest, there has been so much re-generation that this part of the city is most likely completely different to the area my dad used to know! During the day it feels really safe, and there are a lot of people walking along that way.
I get down to the river from Partick subway station, you go in between Morrison's and the station, and then cross over the road, and then there is the option to follow the path to the left, or cross over at the bridge, and head that way. The walk goes alongside the dual carriage way, and I think the bridge option is better because you can get closer to the river straight away.
The river path is also an official cycle path, and is really popular with runners too. Sights include the Riverside Transport museum and the Tall Ship (one of the first places I visited in Glasgow) then further up, the Hydro, the SECC, the Hilton, The Clyde tower and the Science Centre, BBC Scotland Head Quarters, and further up the Clyde Arc bridge.
Past the Clyde arc you can cross over and continue further up the river towards the city centre, but from Partick it is quite a long walk so it is maybe worth doing it further on your bike. One of the best things about the walk is that during the evening hours you get some pretty views of the sky, for which I am a sucker!
One thing I will say is that it is quite exposed, and I have had problems on my bike cycling into the wind with it causing me and Lara to almost come to a stand still! But, that is the Scottish climate for you.
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