Happy New Year everyone! Welcome to 2026. This is officially my first travel post of the year and I'm so excited to start with a gem I found here in Glasgow.
If you missed my New Year's post, I hope your year begins with peace and clarity. For me, it started with a trip to Hogganfield Lake (also known as Hogganfield Park). It wasn't a difficult decision to head there; It came up while I was searching maps for natural places, and the Google photos and reviews looked very promising. After church, I grabbed my gear and headed out, and let me tell you, it was the best decision.
When I arrived, the first thing I noticed was how popular this place is. The parking lot was packed. I had to wander around for a while waiting for someone to leave, so keep that in mind if visiting on a weekend. There's a cute little kiosk selling coffee and snacks and honestly, business was booming today. Although the sun was out, don't let those photos fool you: it was very cold.
Once I set foot on the road, the cold really hit me. It was one of those cold winter days when the sun shines but the air bites. The lake was almost frozen, although not thick enough to walk on. Before I could take in the full view, I was drawn to the birds.
The variety of birds here is remarkable. The lake's shallow waters and surrounding habitats attract a wide variety of birds throughout the year. Especially in winter, you'll see whooper swanssometimes arriving from Iceland, and Common Golden-eyed Ducks swinging in the water. There are also Great Crested Grebe, Goosanders, tufted ducks, Gadwall, wigeon, tealand more mixing with the usual mallards and swans. In the grasslands and marshy edges, warblers and buntings make themselves heard in the warmer months, and the woods are home to titmice, warblers and willow warblers when spring and summer arrive. More than 150 species of birds have been recorded here, including occasional rarities, so birdwatchers will find plenty to enjoy. I saw two people with professional cameras taking pictures.
I loved how the swans weren't shy at all – they came closer when people fed them. I respected their space, especially where the birds were at the water's edge, but I could stay fairly close without disturbing them. I even saw an ice swan resting on its back, a beautiful moment that seemed to capture the day perfectly. It reminded me of what I mentioned earlier in this mail—Swans produce a special oil that they rub on their feathers to prevent them from getting wet.
Then there were the pigeons. They are very fun, “on the edge” little things, always ready to fly away if you blink too fast. I managed to take a photo of three of them sitting together on a railing. It reminded me of that old nursery rhyme, but I renamed these three little brown birds: Paul, Peter and Pat.
Once I had spent time with the birds, I wandered along the loop trail around the lake. It is a walk of approximately 2 km along well-paved trails that make it accessible and comfortable for all ages. Seating is carefully placed along the route so you can rest and enjoy the views, something I appreciated, especially seeing families and older visitors taking their time and stopping for a breather. Some benches even had plaques dedicated to their loved ones, which was very touching and spoke to how much this place means to the people in the community. A plaque mentioned how much the man loved walking this specific path. It is a very touching way for families to feel close to their loved ones in a place that brought them joy.
I saw friendly dogs on leash, others off leash, and one owner doing the right thing by picking up after his pet. The park felt orderly and cared for, even with many visitors around; you still have room to enjoy your own quiet moments.
The lake itself is beautiful. I saw a grandmother playing with her grandchildren, breaking thin layers of ice along the shore and sliding them across the frozen surface so that they glistened in the sun. It seemed like a game I must have played as a child.
Since I'm a bit of a history nerd when I travel, I wanted to delve into the history of this place for you.
The History of Hogganfield Lake and Park
Hogganfield's history goes back much further than most visitors realize. The name Hogganfield comes from the word hoggs, meaning young sheep, which grazed here in the 17th and 18th centuries before being moved to slaughter. The lake is what is known as boiler pond, formed thousands of years ago at the end of the last Ice Agewhen retreating glaciers left depressions that filled with water. Other nearby natural lakes share this origin.
In the early 20th century, the lake was even used commercially: ice was mined from the surface before modern refrigeration became widespread. This ice was supplied to Glasgow cafes and restaurants until imported ice became the norm.
The area was acquired by Glasgow Town Hall in the 1920s and expanded over time to become the public park it is today. It was officially designated a Local Nature Reserve in 1998, recognizing its importance to wildlife, especially birds. The park has also obtained the Green Flag Award, a quality mark for green spaces, thanks to its conservation and visitor-friendly environment. Read more in Grokipedia.
ADDRESS: 100 Ave End Rd, Glasgow G33 3SW
Facilities and what you can do in Hogganfield Lake and Park
- Hogganfield Park offers more than just views of the lake:
- A 2km loop trail for walking, running or casual strolls.
- Seating and rest areas throughout the ride.
- Bird and wildlife watching (including a viewing platform near the lake).
- A small area of sandy beach and areas for boating and angling at certain times.
- Picnic spots, wetland areas to explore and even connections to the larger Seven Lochs Wetland Park, which connects to other nature reserves and trails.
- Playground and family spaces at the south end of the park.
The park also hosts community events such as guided walks, bird counts, paddle days and more throughout the year.
If you're feeling adventurous, the trails connect to Lethamhill Golf Course and lead towards Frankfield Loch, forming part of a huge green corridor in the town.
Now, let's talk about what I'm wearing, because being a “top blogger” doesn't mean I always buy luxury items: I shop smart.
I was returning from work over the festive period when I decided to pop into Marks & Spencer to check out the winter jumpers. In the adult women's section, I found most of the options to be overpriced and the quality didn't match the price for me. I wear a size small, but I don't limit myself to just one section: if something fits well and I feel good, that's what matters.
That led me to the children's section (men's kids size 15), where I found a blue knit sweater that was exactly what I wanted: warm, well-made, and the perfect size. I liked it so much that I bought it in two colors. For someone who values both warmth and style, this was a win. I've linked it in the post if you want to see it – it's still reasonably roomy, so a size medium might fit well too.
My winter pro tip: At the start of winter I also bought two black long sleeve blouses: one from the Tesco F&F section and one from Primark. I usually wear one under my sweater when it's cold. I always layer up for nature walks—black leggings under jeans keep my legs warm—and I recommend that approach if you plan to spend time outdoors in the winter. Wearing proper layers makes the cold much more manageable.
Do you like the blue sweater? Let me know in the comments!
I really enjoyed my stay at Hogganfield Loch and would recommend this park to anyone looking for a quiet nature getaway close to the city. It is well planned, full of wildlife and beauty, and offers something meaningful for every type of visitor.
And before I say goodbye, a very happy new year to all of you: welcome to 2026. This is my first travel post of the year and I'm excited about what's coming next. I have something special in the works that I can't wait to share with everyone. Stay tuned.
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