Old Kilpatrick Revisited

Well, it's been a few weeks since I enjoyed my virtual first walk between the Roman forts of Old Kilpatrick and Duntocher... that's what the interjection of a secret mission into your schedule will do for you.

The short break did me good, however. It made me think about slowing down the journey to consider what there is to do and see around the Roman remains on my journey, whether near or far from my start or finish point. Today, therefore, I decided to revisit Old Kilpatrick Roman Fort. I thought about making a longer visit of, say, 3 days and so set myself the task of investigating what else there might be of interest to see around the site of this westernmost Roman Fort on the Antonine Wall in terms of extended excursions and local walks. The most obvious extensions were to include:

• a visit to Dumbarton Castle and to extend the initial 'start' of my Antonine Wall Walk to the Clyde estuary around Dumbarton

• some walks in the Kilpatrick Hills

• a visit across the Erskine Bridge to explore the southwestern borders of the Antonine Wall frontiers to include the (non-visible) Bishopton Fort and the aerially visible fortlets at Lurg Moor and Outerwards, as well as the rumoured Roman causeway near Dumbuck Ford

Drone Tour of Erskine Bridge by seanlookalike (YouTube)
showing broad location of Old Kilpatrick and site of Roman Fort

Balloch, Loch Lomond and the John Muir Way are also possible extensions but, for me, they are, for now, a few Roman miles beyond where I want to go (I've already visited these places and prefer to save the John Muir Way for a future adventure).

I also found some lovely local holiday cottages to stay in at Gavinburn, with great views of the River Clyde and easily accessible to walks in the nearby hills.

More details on these extensions and ideas in later posts - next up, a closer inspection of Old Kilpatrick Roman Fort and its surrounds.