The above graffito is one of the first sights to greet the brave visitor upon entrance to the Botanics tunnel. Unsurprisingly, the artist remains unknown, but "Meat for the Beast" has since become a kind of mini-meme among Glaswegian UrbExers and this little wall-doodle has probably brought about a few changes-of-hearts in aspiring tunnel tourists (ohh err!). But don't be put off: I've been down there several times and have yet to be skinned alive or sodomized by anything resembling a troll; in fact, it's a painless and very rewarding starting place for the budding urban rambler.
The tunnel itself is actually quite easy to find and simple to navigate once inside. The ground is a little rocky, strewn with occasional potholes and debris - decent boots/shoes are essential - but the going is far from strenuous (honestly, your arthritic grandmother could make it if it wasn't for her cataracts). Speaking of which, parts of the way are extremely dark, so you will need to bring a powerful flashlight.
Parts of the station itself, which was originally built as part of the Glasgow Central Railway line and closed on 6 February 1939, can actually be safely viewed from the surface, thanks to the huge, open air-ducts in the ceiling. Glasgow City Council have even been so kind as to provide a placard explaining this at the point where curious visitors can gaze down into the gloom (see pictures).
But you don't want to spend your afternoon peering over railings like a kid - you want to get down there, right? Okeydokey. First you have to scramble down a muddy embankment in the Botanic Gardens, behind some bushes near the Kirklee/Ford Road enterance to the park. You'll know you're in the right place when you stumble across the overgrown remnants of Kirklee Station, another victim of the Glasgow Central Railway Line's closure. It's a cool place too but I don't have many good photos of it (EDIT: photographer Jonathan McGurk was kind enough to let me use some of his: here). From here, follow the direction of the tracks - or rather the groove in the Earth where they used to be - and you will arrive at a huge steel gate across an archway. If you're lucky, it won't be padlocked, and you're in:
The first stretch of tunnel runs for about a hundred yards or so, curving slightly, until it reaches another gate marking the entrance to the station proper. There is also a second, much longer, stretch past the end of the Botanics Station, which contains some interesting geological formations and runs all the way to the remains of Kelvinbridge Railway Station. Enjoy the pics:
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