Neilston Pad facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Neilston Pad
"The Pad"
Neilston Pad from Kirkton Road
Highest point
Elevation	261 m (856 ft)
Parent peak	Corse Hill

Neilston Pad, often called The Pad by local people, is a special hill in East Renfrewshire. It is about 1.5 kilometers (1 mile) south of the village of Neilston.

This hill is 261 metres (856 ft) tall at its highest point. It has a flat top, like a table, called a plateau. Steep slopes surround this flat top, and there are many trees on its eastern side. Neilston Pad has a unique shape and stands out, so you can easily see it from many places in Glasgow.

Elderslie Estates looks after the land around Neilston Pad.

Exploring Neilston Pad

Neilston Pad is a great place for walking! There is a well-made gravel path that goes all the way around the hill. You can reach this path from the north and south sides. There are also smaller paths, and one of them leads right to the very top of the hill.

Reaching the Summit

When you get to the top of Neilston Pad, you will see a large pile of stones called a cairn. Many people think this is the highest point, but the real summit is a little further. The true highest point is marked by a much smaller cairn, about 50 metres (160 ft) east of the big one.

Water Around the Hill

There are several reservoirs, which are like big lakes that store water, around Neilston Pad. To the west, you'll find Craighall Reservoir, also known as Craighall Dam. Snypes Reservoir is to the east, and a smaller body of water called Keepers Dam is to the north.

Trees and Nature

Neilston Pad has lots of trees, especially on its eastern and southern sides. These forests add to the hill's natural beauty.

In 2019, many trees had to be cut down. About 20,000 trees were felled to stop a plant disease called phytophthora ramorum. This disease is caused by a fungus-like germ that can harm or kill larch trees. Cutting down the trees changed some of the walking paths, especially near Craighall Reservoir.

Images for kids

• Photographs of Neilston Pad and surrounding area
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  Neilston Pad from Kirkton Road

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  Craighall Reservoir from Neilston Pad

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  Neilston Pad true summit

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  Looking towards the Neilston Pad from Craighall Reservoir

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  Looking north towards Glasgow

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  Neilston Pad with the Harelaw Dam in the foreground