Pollok Country Park is a large (146 hectare) park located on the south side of Glasgow, Scotland. It is well known for a number of reasons including being home to the police mounted and dog-handling divisions, the famous Burrell Collection and Pollok House (closed from 20 November 2023 for a two-year conservation project). It also has many wide open spaces that are ideal for filming outdoor scenes for Outlander. As well as portraying the surroundings of Doune Castle, scenes filmed here include the duel between Jamie and “Black Jack” and when Jamie and Fergus ride out.
Pollok Country Park is located in the south west of Glasgow City - just 3 miles from the centre. Formerly part of the Old Park Estate the park is now steeped in rural history. Pollok Country park now offers a wide range of activities and the opportunity to explore the gardens, woodland walks and various cycle routes.
Pollok Country Park is an ideal place to visit by bike, being easily reached by Route 7 and 75 of the National Cycle Network, or by using the local link routes. You can also take your bike on the train to Pollokshaws West station on the Glasgow Central to Barrhead and East Kilbride lines, and is within 5 minutes ride of the Shawlands and Pollokshaws East stations on the Cathcart Circle line.
Cycle training can make a huge difference to your enjoyment of the sport, and what better place to do it than in the pleasant traffic free surroundings of Glasgow's Pollok Country Park. It is here that Cycling Scotland and Glasgow City Council run courses by accredited trainers that can deliver a range of training from basic control skills through to on-road journey planning or introductory mountain biking.
After the training you can enjoy the various cycle routes offered by the Country park, guiding you through the parks vicinity and woodland. There are three options to choose from.
Routes
Pollok Country Park allows you to experience Mountain Biking within Glasgow at three different skill levels.
The Green Circuit - This is an ideal introduction into the feel of Mountain Biking. This circuit offers a gentle ride in the woods that can perhaps progress to be a warm-up session for the more challenging routes.
The Blue Circuit - Requiring skill and concentration to gain the best out of your bike and yourself, this route proves to be slightly more challenging. Steep terain, varied surfaces and the chance to get your wheels of the groung the Blue Circuit is for the more adventurous.
The Red Circuit - This is more of an indication of the terrain you will meet in the mountains. Not for the faint hearted, the Red Circuit offers you the opportunity to challenge your abilities and implement accurate riding skills.