Walk this way for majestic views

Although a lot of Paisley's beautiful countryside has vanished beneath urban sprawl, much still remains.

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Among the places surviving is a favourite walk I first did nearly 60 years ago.

The excursion starts at Quarrelton village in Johnstone where the early 19th century school and buildings occupied by local coal miners are still visible.

You can view majestic St Aidan's Church and the ruins of Johnstone Castle - once owned by the lairds of Johnstone - before joining the woodland trail opposite the burned-out shell of the vandalised Bird In Hand Hotel.

The sign-posted path leads through Rannoch Woods - once part of Johnstone Castle policies.

You may see squirrels in the branches of towering beech trees or even a roe deer among the undergrowth.