After Newton Stewart, you enter the more remote country of the Galloway Forest Park. Minor roads lead to Glen Trool and then through Glen Trool Forest. Along this section you should carry a repair kit, food and drink as it's a long climb on a single-track road up to the Nick of the Balloch - watch out for timber lorries throughout this section. From here it's a rapid 1.5km descent to the River Stinchard and then another steep uphill stretch to Doughty Hill and The Pilot. Once over the summit, it's an enjoyable run down country roads to Crosshill, which offers the first facilities for 21 miles. From Crosshill the route leads you through Maybole, after which there is another climb that rewards you with magnificent views of Arran and the Ayrshire Coast. The route is pretty flat along urban roads and cycle tracks through Ayr, Prestwick and Troon and almost completely traffic-free from Troon to Kilwinning. After 6 miles along country roads to Kilbirnie, you join an excellent cycle track along an old railway line to Paisley. The route then passes through parks, along river banks, cycle tracks and quiet urban roads to Bell's Bridge on the Clyde in the heart of Glasgow.

The ride starts in Newton Stewart and follows National Route 7 east, crossing the A712, to Creetown. The route continues along National Route 7 until you reach Gatehouse Station where you turn off onto a track towards Clatteringshaws and Glen Trool.  This track travels north beneath the spectacular Big Water of Fleet Viaduct, as seen in Alfred Hitchcock's The 39 Steps.  You will then wind through forests and countryside, past Loch Granoch, until you reach Clatteringshaws Loch. If you feel like a break, you can turn off to the right along the main road to Clatteringshaws Visitor Centre for refreshments and toilets, as well as visit the nearby Bruce's Stone - the first of two that can be seen on this ride.

Follow the quiet road round Clatteringshaws Loch to Craigencallie House and you will come to the start of another traffic free section that passes Loch Dee.  The route continues to Loch Trool where you'll find the second Bruce's Stone - where Robert the Bruce is reputed to have paused after his victory at the Battle of Glentrool in 1307!  Here you'll rejoin the road downhill into Glentrool Village.  Just past the Glen Trool Visitor Centre, you turn left onto a quiet road that runs near the River Cree through the woodlands and countryside back to Newton Stewart for a well earned rest!

From Taynuilt it is worth following the B845 to its end at the pier on the shores of Loch Etive for some of the best views of the day across the Loch. You then return to Taynuilt by the same road.

The cycleway and footpath mostly follows the lines of the former railways and starts at Paisley Canal railway station and ends in Gourock at the railway station and ferry terminal. Along the way it passes the town of Johnstone and crosses attractive open country between Bridge of Weir and Kilmacolm, before reaching Port Glasgow, Greenock and Gourock on the Firth of Clyde. Ferries ply between Gourock and Dunoon, a gateway to the Cowal Peninsula area of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. 

The route is mainly traffic-free apart from short sections through Elderslie and Kilmacolm and longer sections in Port Glasgow and Greenock, where there are also some steep gradients. There is wheelchair access to the whole route.

The route  continues along riverside paths to Almondbank, where the weir makes a pleasant picnic spot. Less than one mile further on is Pitcairngreen. Plans to create an industrial village to rival Manchester failed to materialise, but have resulted in Pitcairngreen being one of the few Scottish villages with a village green. This, together with pubs and shops, make this a pleasant end destination. Return to Perth via the same route. For a longer ride continue following National Route 77 to Dunkeld from where you can return to Perth by train or continue to Pitlochry.

The route then follows minor roads through Birnam Wood (of Macbeth fame) and joins a dedicated cycle route alongside the A9 through the Pass of Birnam. It goes past Dunkeld and Birnam railway station and into the village of Birnam, where you can visit the Beatrix Potter Garden and the Birnam Institute (café), Just over half a mile further on across the river lies Dunkeld. Dunkeld was Scotland’s first ecclesiastical capital, and its cathedral contains a wealth of Scottish history.

From Dunkeld you can ride back to Perth, return by train, or continue northwards along National Routes 77 and 7 to Pitlochry (about 10 hilly but beautiful miles) or to the railway station at Blair Atholl (about another 7.5 miles).

Access to and from the bridge on the Dundee side is via a lift. The route then heads through the Dundee port area (You require a security pass in advance – telephone 01382 224121. To date there is no access for pedestrians through the port. If you are not allowed through, there is an alternative route on public roads.) As you continue around the bay, you’ll see Broughty Castle jutting into the estuary.  There are several pubs and restaurants in Broughty Ferry and entry to the castle museum is free. You can return by the same route or take a train back to Dundee from Broughty Ferry.

The canal then turns back on itself through Broxburn and heads over the River Almond on the Almond Aqueduct, with fine views down valley to the 36 arch Almond Valley Railway Viaduct. The route passes the Scottish National Climbing Centre before heading into Ratho. The centre is well worth a visit – you can sit in the café and watch climbers on the indoor wall. In Ratho you can visit The Edinburgh Canal Centre, run by the Seagull Trust, from where two restaurant boats operate. The Bridge Inn is also a popular eating spot here.

West of Linlithgow, the route is wonderfully rural following the towpath along the northern bank of the canal. The canal crosses the River Avon on the 12 arches of the impressive Avon Aqueduct, Scotland’s longest and tallest aqueduct. It is a short detour off the canal to visit the Muiravonside Country Park where there is a café and walks. Continuing westwards along the towpath, the route passes the ruins of Almond Castle before entering the town of Polmont. You can cut the route short here by catching the train back to Linlithgow or Falkirk. 

At Glen Village, you pass the unusual Glen Bridge, known as the “Laughin’ and Greetin’” bridge. The faces facing east are overjoyed at having completed the canal from Edinburgh, those facing west are miserable at the prospect of digging the Falkirk Tunnel - into which the route plunges - Scotland’s longest canal tunnel at 630 metres long (the tunnel is lit, but it’s advisable to have lights as well). It is a short stretch from the tunnel to the famous Falkirk Wheel which allows boats to be transferred between the Union Canal and the Clyde & Forth Canal. You can return to Linlithgow by the same route or take the train from Falkirk High Station. There is a signed path that leads directly from the canal to the western end of the Glasgow-bound platform.

Today, the river is a beautiful, picturesque green space that is both peaceful and well looked after. The Water of Leith Trust has river patrols and constantly monitors the wildlife. So, keep your eyes peeled and you may glimpse a kingfisher, a heron or even an otter, as you scoot downhill to the city of Edinburgh.

At Colinton, follow the old railway line through a tunnel, cross a bridge over Lanark Road and join the Union Canal at Slateford. Carry on along the canal towpath until you come to the new Edinburgh Quay development, where you can enjoy refreshments in one of the canal-side cafés.