Boots were made for walking (along the Kelvin)
WESTENDERS are being called north this week, as Maryhill burgh halls launches a new self-guided walking tour to draw history and nature lovers into the area.
The walk, bordered by Kelvindale and Maryhill Roads, takes in the best historical, heritage and regeneration sights on the Kelvin – and multi-format guide is free to use.
Gordon Barr, heritage development officer for the Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust, told The Extra: “Maryhill is a part of Glasgow often overlooked on the standard tourist trails — something we hope to change.
“Part of the idea is to encourage more folk to wander this way from the westend. You’ll see historic buildings, including the restored burgh halls and leisure centre, ancient monuments and one of Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s least well-known buildings.
“You’ll follow the route of old railway lines, discover the location of many of the famous Maryhill stained glass panels, and maybe even the odd heron or swan along the way”.
Visitors and residents of the Kelvin area are encouraged to explore everything in the 16-page guide, now available online and in city libraries.
It’s the result of funding from Glasgow City Heritage Trust, in a bid to boost the image of the area on the periphery of the westend.
Included are the halls themselves and neighbouring library, the old fire station arches, Maryhill locks, Kelvin aqueduct, Mackintosh’s Ruchill church hall, and the Maryhill engine works — originally the Kelvin foundry.
The walk activities follow a £9.2 million restoration project of the 133-year-old burgh halls on Gairbraid Avenue — aimed at providing a community and business hub and scheduled for completion later this year.
When finished, it will house a community hall and exhibition spaces, a cafe, nursery, recording studios, offices and a courtyard garden, its aim to encourage both residents and visitors to take an interest in the history and the community of Maryhill and Kelvin.
And for the summer months at least, the burgh halls team will also be running guided versions of the walk, again for free – details of which are available (along with the walking guide) at www.mbht.org.uk/walks.
Gordon added: “If the guide is a success, we hope to expand the trail. Right now we’re only scratching the surface”.
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Sunday 20 May 2012
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