Birdston

Situated in Southbank Road above the Forth & Clyde Canal close to the centre of Kirkintilloch. The ongoing development has not been kind to the bankside trees in the foreground.

Canal like appearance on this stretch in the centre of Kirkie. The high deep piled bank is the answer to a history of flooding.

The old bridge over the River Kelvin on the road from Kirkie to Campsie.

Forms the northern boundary of the town.

Heavily wooded banks on the northern (left) bank and industry of the southern - town side.

This used to be the natural flood plain of the Kelvin but high levees have been built to contain the channel of the river.

The meeting of Luggie (ahead) and the Kelvin (flowing across photo) on the northern outskirts of Kirkintilloch. The photo was taken after some days of heavy showers and the river levels were high.

View of the double arched span with the Kelvin flowing under only one on this occasion.

The Kelvin leaves the outskirts of the town (that it never entered) and heads towards the flatlands sandwiched between its levees.

Known locally as the 'Cross Brae' featuring well renovated old farmhouse and cottages of the weaving era.

The West Bar tollhouse at the junction of Glasgow Road and West High Street. The house is now a private dwelling.

Access road to dwelling behind Washington Road.

Quiet, leafy lane off Washington Road.

Presented to the Burgh of Kirkintilloch by ex. Baillie Hudson, May 1905.

Picturesque Victorian era bandstand.

Opposite Redmoss Farm Road.

A monument to John Wharry and James Smith. They were Covenanters and involved in an attack on government troops near here. The inscription reads: "In this field lies the corpse of John Wharry and James Smith, who suffered in Glasgow, 13 June 1683, for their adherence to the Word of God, and Scotland’s Covenanted Work of Reformation: ‘And they overcame them by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death’” (Rev. xii. 11) Halt, courteous passenger, and look on Our bodies dead, & lying under this stone. Altho’ we did commit no deed,** nor fact That was against the Bridegroom’s contract, Yet we to Glasgow were as prisoners brought, And against us false witness they sought. Their sentence cruel and unjust they past, And then our corps on scaffold they did cast. There we our lives and right hands also lost. From Glasgow we were brought unto this place In chains of iron hung up for certain space. Then taken down interred here we ly– From ‘neath this stone our blood to heaven doth cry. Had foreign foes, Turks, or Mahometans, Had Scythians, Tartars, Arabian Caravans, Had cruel Spaniards, the Pope’s blood seed, Commenced the same, less strange had been the deed; But Protestants, profest our Covenants to, Our countrymen, this bloody deed could do. Yet notwithstanding of their hellish rage The noble Wharry stepping on the stage With courage bold and with a heart not faint, Exclaims, This blood now seals our covenant– Ending, They who would follow Christ should take Their cross upon their back, the world forsake."

Hidden in plain sight - these were a familiar sight and I always took them to be water works. One of the network of Royal Observer Corps observation posts.