Brownside Braes

Downs, Moorland in Renfrewshire

Scotland

Brownside Braes

Signpost at footpath junction The signpost is located at a three-way junction of paths.

The sign pointing to the left says &quot;Paisley&quot;, and points along the route shown in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2308698">NS4859 : Dry-stone wall and fence</a> and <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2308667">NS4860 : Dry-stone wall and fence</a>.

Another, pointing towards the photographer&#039;s position, reads &quot;Killoch Glen via Glenburn Resr&quot;; for that route, see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2309088">NS4859 : Path to Glenburn Reservoir</a>.

The third, pointing in the opposite direction, reads &quot;Barrhead / Killoch Glen via Harelaw Resr&quot;; for a view back along that route, see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2309100">NS4859 : Path from Killoch Glen</a>. — Signpost at footpath junction Credit: Lairich Rig

Brownside Braes is a picturesque area located in Renfrewshire, Scotland. Situated in the southern part of the county, it is characterized by its stunning downs and moorland landscapes. Covering a vast area, Brownside Braes attracts nature enthusiasts, photographers, and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

The downs of Brownside Braes showcase rolling hills and open grasslands, providing visitors with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The gentle slopes of the downs are covered in a patchwork of vibrant green vegetation, making it an ideal spot for leisurely hikes and picnics.

In contrast, the moorland of Brownside Braes offers a more rugged and untamed scenery. Here, visitors can immerse themselves in the wild beauty of Renfrewshire's countryside. The moorland is characterized by its heather-covered hills, scattered rocks, and small streams that meander through the landscape. It is a haven for wildlife, with various species of birds, small mammals, and insects calling it home.

Walking trails and paths crisscross the area, providing ample opportunities for exploration and discovery. Visitors can wander through the downs and moorland, taking in the fresh air and enjoying the tranquil ambiance. The diversity of flora and fauna found in Brownside Braes makes it an excellent location for nature study and wildlife observation.

Overall, Brownside Braes in Renfrewshire offers a serene retreat from city life, allowing visitors to connect with nature and enjoy the beauty of Scotland's downs and moorland.

Show me another place!

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Brownside Braes Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.811811/-4.4249288 or Grid Reference NS4860. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Signpost at footpath junction

The signpost is located at a three-way junction of paths. The sign pointing to the left says "Paisley", and points along the route shown in NS4859 : Dry-stone wall and fence and NS4860 : Dry-stone wall and fence. Another, pointing towards the photographer's position, reads "Killoch Glen via Glenburn Resr"; for that route, see NS4859 : Path to Glenburn Reservoir. The third, pointing in the opposite direction, reads "Barrhead / Killoch Glen via Harelaw Resr"; for a view back along that route, see NS4859 : Path from Killoch Glen.

Lairich Rig

Path to Glenburn Reservoir

This photograph, which was taken from beside the signpost that is shown in NS4859 : Signpost at footpath junction, shows one of the three paths that is indicated there. NS4760 : Glenburn Reservoir is visible about 240 metres ahead. For a view from a point a little further along the path, see NS4759 : Path to Glenburn Reservoir.

Lairich Rig

Path from Killoch Glen

For the previous part of the route, see NS4859 : Path from Killoch Glen. That path makes a sharp turn near NS4859 : Harelaw Reservoir. The present photograph shows the part of the route beyond that corner; it leads towards the signpost that is shown in NS4859 : Signpost at footpath junction. The top of that signpost is just visible in this photograph; it can be seen straight ahead on the path, with NS4760 : Glenburn Reservoir visible behind it.

Lairich Rig

Harelaw Reservoir

Unlike nearby NS4760 : Glenburn Reservoir, Harelaw Reservoir appears on the first-edition OS map, which was surveyed in 1858. The water level has been lowered considerably in recent years. Relative to the OS map that was current when this picture was taken, the photographer's position would be in the water of the reservoir, although not very far from the edge. The changes being made here are part of a Local Biodiversity Action Plan; this body of water will be de-classified as a reservoir. For other pictures, see NS4859 : Paisley - Brownside Braes - Harelaw Reservoir, NS4859 : Harelaw Reservoir, and NS4859 : Grazing on Fereneze Hills and Harelaw Reservoir.

Lairich Rig

Fereneze Golf Course

This is part of the course of Fereneze Golf Club. The picture was taken from near what used to be the edge of NS4859 : Harelaw Reservoir. See also NS4859 : Paisley - Brownside Braes - Harelaw Reservoir.

Lairich Rig

Path from Killoch Glen

For the previous part of the route, see NS4859 : Path from Killoch Glen. The present photograph was taken from about 100 metres further along the path. About 50 metres ahead, the route turns sharply to the left; the section beyond that corner is shown in NS4859 : Path from Killoch Glen.

Lairich Rig

Path from Killoch Glen

The footpath continues straight ahead; the gate on the left leads into a field instead. For a view from a point further along this path, see NS4859 : Path from Killoch Glen. Visible in the background, on the right, is part of a NS4859 : Fereneze Golf Course.

Lairich Rig

Path to Glenburn Reservoir

This is a view from a point further along the path that is shown in NS4859 : Path to Glenburn Reservoir; NS4760 : Glenburn Reservoir is visible ahead. Not far ahead, the wall and fence whose line the present photograph follows is met from the left by an old field boundary; see NS4759 : View along old field boundary. Still further ahead is NS4760 : The start of a path beside the Glenburn Reservoir.

Lairich Rig

View along old field boundary

This boundary is in the form of a dry-stone dyke, which is now in poor condition. It is marked on the first-edition OS map, which was surveyed in 1858, and it may be considerably older than that. See NS4759 : Path to Glenburn Reservoir, where the line of the boundary can be seen not far ahead, approaching the more recent wall from the left. The present photograph was taken from the point where the two meet. Even in this photograph, it is clear that at the top of the hill, among the trees, there are some ruins; one section lies directly beyond the far end of the field boundary, and a smaller section to the left. These are the remains of the farmstead of Duchallaw, which is shown on the first-edition OS map.

Lairich Rig

Highland Cows, Brownside Braes

Fenced off Glenburn Reservoir on the left.

wfmillar

B771, Paisley Road

Dunterlie area of Barrhead.

wfmillar

United Services Club Building

Paisley Road, Dunterlie

wfmillar

Disused Petrol Station

B771, Paisley Road, Dunterlie area of Barrhead.

wfmillar

Barrhead railway station, Renfrewshire

Opened in 1848 by the Glasgow Barrhead & Neilston Direct Railway, on the line which runs from Glasgow to Kilmarnock. View north east towards Nitshill and Glasgow. For a similar view 44 years previously, see NS4959 : Barrhead Station.

Nigel Thompson

Start of the route to the Fereneze Braes in Barrhead

This rather inauspicious spot between 2 houses is the start of an excellent walk over the Fereneze Braes. It is worth noting that though there are clearly defined paths on the Fereneze Braes, they rarely correspond to paths marked on the OS map. However the routes are so well signposted that a map is really not required. At the start you have to squeeze through a small gap in parallel fences. There are a few more like this on the walk. This is clearly designed to make it very difficult to take even a bike - a good idea.

G Laird