A visit yesterday to Ann's Aunt Maisie at Plains.

The bottom of their garden is bounded by on old railway line, on the other side of which is Plains Country Park

This small hill was originally built up in the 19th century from the spoils of mining excavations; over the years vegetation has covered it and it now forms part of the landscape of the country park.

The hill affords a panoramic view over the timber depot and into Plains village, which is situated on the old coaching road from Glasgow to Edinburgh, now known as the A89. Modern day through traffic between the two cities avoids the intermediate towns and villages by using the M8 motorway, which passes two or three miles south of here.

The North Calder Water flows through the country park, on its meandering way to join the Clyde on the eastern suburbs of Glasgow.

There are several small waterfalls within the country park

At other points the flow of the river is more lazy.

Here there are the remains of an old dam, and a sluice which led into a lade which served a water mill a short way down stream.