The real joy of this trip is that these places are not just pretty parks; They are steeped in the most incredible Scottish industrial history. The area is essentially a textbook on how nature reclaims the land.

Drumpellier Country Park and the Seven Lakes Wetland Park

• The beginning (before the 18th century): Drumpellier was initially part of the Drumpellier Estate, a classic piece of Scottish landed history. The lochs themselves, Lochend Loch and Woodend Loch, are essentially natural calderas left over from the last Ice Age – talk about deep history!

• The industrial era (18th-19th century): The surrounding area, Monklands, became a world coal and iron power. This completely transformed the landscape. Much of the park was adjacent to these important industrial works, although the lakes and estate largely managed to avoid direct destruction.

• The news: In the mid-20th century the land finally became the Country Park. Now, it acts as a major hub for the Seven Lochs Wetland Park, which links a chain of seven lakes and several nature reserves (including Bishop Loch and Hogganfield Lake) which spans the boundary between Glasgow and North Lanarkshire.

• What is it used for:

  • Recreation: Walking, cycling (it's part of the Seven Lochs Trail – a great 10km route!), fishing and enjoying Crannog Adventure Park.

  • Conservation: The wetlands are a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in some parts, vital for wading birds, otters and other wildlife. It is a fantastic place for bird watching at any time of the year.

The Monkland Canal: the iron road of water

• The deep history (1769-1770): The Monkland Canal was a massive undertaking, mainly surveyed by the legendary engineer James Watt (yes, the steam engine guy!). Its purpose? Transporting large quantities of coal from the Monklands (Coatbridge/Airdrie) area to coal-hungry Glasgow. Construction began in 1770.

• The heyday (late 18th century and mid-19th century): In the 1830s it carried huge volumes of coal, literally a lifeline to Glasgow's industrial growth. It even had engineering marvels like the Blackhill Locks (a set of ladder locks) and an inclined plane for moving boats up and down steep sections.

• Decline and destruction (20th century): The railways quickly took over and the canal was officially closed to navigation in 1952. Much of the western end of the canal was filled in to make way for the construction of the M8 motorway, which now effectively follows its former route.

• Future plans: There is a bright vision for the 'Canal Line' to become a high quality linear park connecting multiple communities, acting as a major active travel corridor between Glasgow and Edinburgh. Local activists are working hard to restore historic structures and protect the green belt from encroaching housing developments.

If you want to visit this incredible area (and you should!), here's all the information you need for an easy trip, followed by a necessary reality check.

Method	Details	For tip
🚗 Car	Drumpellier Country Park It has a visitor center on Townhead Road (ML5 1RX). Parking is available near the Visitor Center.	Go early, especially on a sunny weekend, as it gets busy.
🚆 Train	The nearest station is Blairhill (from Glasgow Queen Street) which is only about a 25 minute walk or 10 minute bike ride through the park to the Visitor Centre.	Ideal for a day of active travel and avoids parking problems.
🚌 Bus	Bus services go directly to Townhead Road, near Drumpellier Visitor Centre. Check out North Lanarkshire local routes.	A good and accessible option for a slower pace.
🚶 bicycle	The area is well connected by Seven Lakes Trail (part of NCN Route 75).	A fantastic way to link Drumpellier, the Monkland Canal and the wider Seven Lochs area.

• Summer: Ideal for family picnics, the adventure park and long evening walks to watch the sunset. It's the busiest time, so expect crowds.

• Autumn (autumn): The most visually spectacular moment. The forests are full of color. That's when I took those amazing photos – the golden light is just chef kiss. #AutumnVibrations #CanalTrail

• Winter: A calm and serene beauty. Frozen lakes and crisp air create atmospheric photographs. The paths are generally good, but remember your layers.

Rules and the messy reality

Parks are community spaces, right? They are meant to be enjoyed by everyone and places like this are an invaluable asset. But honestly, you can't talk about a visit without mentioning the frustrating things.

The amount of trash you see is just ridiculous. We tried to find a picnic table and the one we found looked like a war zone. It was covered in charcoal and what looked like old cigarette burns – a complete lack of respect for community property. And don't even get me started on the dog poop.

In fact, I saw a guy, right at the front entrance of a building, let his dog shit right there on the road. He stood there, watching, and then left without picking it up. Seriously, how lazy can you be?

It's not just about the “look” of the park; It is a real public health problem when children play around dog droppings and burnt sand. We are so lucky to have these amazing green spaces (the centuries of history, the hard work of conservationists, the beautiful wildlife (otters, rare birds!)) and some people just treat them like an outdoor container. It makes these recreational places uncomfortable and, frankly, unsafe. It takes away the magic.

Despite complaints about the trash, the road trip was an absolute success. From the spectacular sound of Campsie Glen to the fiery sunset over the Monkland Canal, it was a reminder of the incredible, rugged beauty of Scotland and the deep history beneath our feet.

It all comes down to respect, right? Respect for the land, respect for history and respect for everyone who wants to enjoy it. If we all made a little effort (pick up a piece of trash and bag up our dog's waste), these already brilliant parks would be perfect. Visit, explore the rich history, take your own stunning photographs and let's all work to keep these vital green lungs healthy for the future.