Hogganfield Loch

Hogganfield Loch is situated on the outskirts of Stepps.
There is a parking area at the entrance for those arriving by foot, with a food van resident in the car park when looking for refreshments or ice creams on hot Summer days.
There are two little play park areas to keep little ones interested, and plenty of wildlife to take in.
The swans, geese and ducks all congregate on the car park side of the Loch (along with pigeons and seagulls!!) hungry for food from passers by. It can be a bit like a scene from the birds, however, with this hungry gang of birds all vying for the crumbs of bread and scraps. So, I tend to find a quieter spot on the Loch, away from the car park if we want to feed the birds — much more civilised! ;)
There is a path all the way round the Loch for walkers, runners, cyclists… The whole Loch takes maybe 20 – 30 minutes to get round, depending on your walking speed and size of walking companions (longer with 2 – 3 year olds!)
Hogganfield Loch is a nice wee spot if looking for a relatively quick, but refreshing, walk not too far from the city centre!

Hogganfield Park/​Loch has become quite an important urban loch for birds.
So much so that boats are no longer allowed.
It’s not the most healthy of lochs but it still attracts many birds.
The shyer birds tend to stay near the island in the middle.
You are most welcome to come along and feed the birds that are not shy like the Greylag Geese, Mute and Whooper swans, Goldeneye ducks, Tufted Ducks, Moorhen, Coots and a host of other birds that stop and stay inbetween migrating. Winter can bring some surprise birds to the Loch like a Lesser Scaup from America. Unfortunately, it did not come this season. ²⁰¹⁰⁄₂₀₁₁.
Other birds include Teal, Ruddy Ducks, Shovellers, Waxwings, Songthrush, Mistle Thrush, Reed Buntings, Little Grebes, Great Crested Grebe and some other visitors.
Besides the usual birds like Herons, Cormorants, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Grey Wagtails, Pied Wagtails and too many to list here.
Obviously birds come and go at different times of the year so you wont see all the birds mentioned at the same time on the loch.
It is a little oasis in a concrete jungle.
Just a pity that young locals do not appreciate what they have in this loch and do their best to spoil improvements which would otherwise make this a terrific place for all to enjoy. Throwing rubbish into the loch and throw their empty beer cans and bottles all ove the place.
Visitors throw rubbish too. Take a moment to throw your rubbish in the bins people or take it home and throw it in your own bin.
Improvements are being made to the Loch itself by making rockeries at certain points and a new walkway at the main car park near the golf course and swing park.
Roe Deer also roam the grounds but not near the main Loch area unless it’s very early in the morning before people start showing up.
There is so much potential for this Loch to be attractive for everyone. Thankfully the council haven’t used it for venues like in Glasgow Green and other parks.
One thing I would like to see more of in the park is apple bearing trees and Rowan Berry trees. These would be so helpful for our winter visitors and attract even more Waxwings in the autumn. A lovely bird to see during the winter months.
If you come along to Hogganfield Loch. Bring a lot of bread or proper bird feed if you have it as the birds love the extra feed.
The Greylags and Swans are not shy at coming right up to you on the path so be wary of your small children who may get intimidated by large birds grabbing at them for the bread :)

hogganfield is a small loch is situated on the northeast border of the city of glasgow en route to cumbernauld/​stirling and is an important bird sanctuary with many species of waterfowl all year round — why they allow fishing in it I do not understand !
on a sunny day it is always very busy — there is a children’s playpark, a small sandy area, a golf course attached and plenty of grassy areas — I once fell in the molendinar burn which feeds the loch whilst trying to jump over it (sorry mum)
— not had boats on it recently as far as I know as I drive past /​cycle round regulary

Very nice park surrounding the loch. It is a shallow loch with a small island in the middle. There is a path around the loch that you could probably walk round in 30 – 40 minutes. There is a lot of birds, mainly swans and ducks that people feed. Dog walkers, joggers, cyclists use the park too. In summer there is sometimes boats you can hire.