Neilston Pad, referred to locally as The Pad, is a distinctive hill in East Renfrewshire, situated a mile (1.5 km) south of the village of Neilston.
| Neilston Pad | |
|---|---|
| "The Pad" | |
 Neilston Pad from Kirkton Road | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 261 m (856 ft)[1] |
| Parent peak | Corse Hill[1] |
| Coordinates | 55°45′55″N 4°25′46″W / 55.765251°N 4.42957°W |
| Geography | |
 | |
Its highest point is 261 metres (856 ft)[1] and is characterised by a relatively flat summit plateau surrounded by steep slopes[2] and distinctive forestry on its eastern side. Its odd shape and prominence make it easily identifiable and visible from many areas in Glasgow.
The area was managed by Elderslie Estates from the 1990s until it was sold to a private buyer or consortium in 2021.[3]
Walking and public access
editNeilston Pad has a well constructed gravel path surrounding it extending to access paths from the north and south. A number of secondary paths exist, one of which leads to the summit.[4]
Summit
editThere is large stone cairn on the plateau which is easily mistaken as being the summit. The true summit is marked by a much smaller cairn approximately 50 metres (160 ft) east of the larger one.[1]
Reservoirs
editThe area surrounding Neilston Pad includes a number of reservoirs. Craighall Reservoir, known locally as Craighall Dam, lies to the west, Snypes Reservoir to the east and a smaller body of water sits north known as Keepers Dam.[5]
Forestry
editThe hill itself has extensive forestry on its eastern and southern sides as well as large areas alongside its eastern side.
In 2019 up to 20,000 trees were felled to prevent the spread of phytophthora ramorum – a fungus-like pathogen that can kill or severely damage larch trees.[6] The felling damaged and disturbed a number of well utilised walking and access routes mainly around Craighall Reservoir.
Gallery
edit- Photographs of Neilston Pad and surrounding area
-
Neilston Pad from Kirkton Road -
Craighall Reservoir from Neilston Pad -
Neilston Pad true summit -
Looking towards the Neilston Pad from Craighall Reservoir -
Looking north towards Glasgow -
Neilston Pad with the Harelaw Dam in the foreground
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Neilston Pad". hill-bagging.co.uk. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
- ^ Ritchie, Charles (August 1828). "Remarks on the Medical Topography of the Parish of Neilston". Glasgow Medical Journal. 1 (3): 286–304. ISSN 0367-4800. PMC 5743940. PMID 30431752.
- ^ "Offers over £900,000 sought for Neilston beauty spot". Barrhead News. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
- ^ "Walking routes in East Renfrewshire - East Renfrewshire Council". www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
- ^ David Pride (8 February 2020). History Of The Parish Of Neilston. Alpha Editions. ISBN 978-93-5441-295-0.
- ^ Smith, Pippa. "Thousands of Neilston Pad trees axed after disease spreads". Barrhead News. Retrieved 15 March 2021.