Castle Semple

Cornalees

Muirshiel

Barnbrock

Lunderston

Locherwood

Haylie Brae

Greenock Cut

Collegiate Church

Knockendon

Castle Semple Visitor Centre & Country Park

What to do:

walk cycle relax fish sail kayak windsurf wildlife tearoom gifts boat hire bike hire.

Facilities:

+ ranger service and activity centre.
Castle Semple Tower WebCam

Description:

Located on the shores of Castle Semple Loch, ideal for enjoying ‘wonderful water, walks and wildlife’.

Relax by the loch shore or stroll into Parkhill Wood, Castle Semple’s secret woodland. The 90 acre policy woodland of the Castle Semple Estate includes the 15th century Collegiate Church, the fish ponds and the grotto, where the Semple Clan hold annual gatherings.

The Centre, on Sustrans Cycle route 7 Glasgow – Irvine, is open all year with a tearoom and gift shop plus Seasonal Boat & Bike Hire, and outdoor activity courses such as sailing, kayaking, archery, navigation, mountain biking, multi activity and group taster sessions.

The Countryside Ranger Service patrol the sign-posted walks, provide a schools programme and organise family friendly events and activities throughout the year.

The Rowing, Windsurfing and Sailing Clubs are all based at Castle Semple and have regular Club meetings, usually on Wednesday evening during the summer.

Walks:

From the Visitor Centre there are signposted walks and trails along the lochshore and in Parkhill Wood and that vary in length from 500m (20 Mins) to 5km (1.5 hour). Pick up a leaflet at the centre, or contact us and we’ll send you one.

The Renfrewshire Walking Network aims to get everyone feeling fitter by walking. Walks are led by Paths to Health walk leaders and our Countryside Rangers Service. Contact Senga McLeod on 0141 840 3861 for more details of the Wednesday and Sunday walks programme. Lochwinnoch Community Walks take place every Monday (except on public holidays) – meet 10:30 at The Cross, Lochwinnoch.

SRANI, the South Renfrewshire Access Network Initiative, is a project that aims to establish a network of paths linking routes, facilities and attractions around Castle Semple Loch, including upgrading the link from the railway station to Lochwinnoch village. In other words, a path right round Castle Semple Loch with:

• seating, information, interpretation and perhaps play equipment
• improved parking and access at Lochwinnoch railway station, at Castle Semple Centre and the RSPB reserve.
• improved links to Howwood railway station, the cycle track and historic parts of Castle Semple Estate.

Click here for the latest information on the project.

Cycles:

The Sustrans Cycle track, Lochwinnoch Loop Line (Route 7, Kilbirnie to Paisley) passes the Visitor Centre.
(information leaflet , 960kb pdf file)
The cycleway is 14 miles long and part of the Lochs and Glens Route. It follows National Cycle Route 75 from Paisley Canal Railway Station to Johnstone. It then heads southwest to Kilbarchan, Lochwinnoch and Kilbirnie passing Castle Semple, Barr and Kilbirnie Lochs. Most of the route is traffic free.

Bike Hire:

Mountain, comfort, and children’s bikes plus tag-a-long, tandems and trailers are available for hire every weekend, public and school holiday and most other fair weather days throughout the year. Contact Martin of Express Cycle Repairs on 07867 790 889 to arrange hire out with these times. Martin also has fishing equipment.

Boat Hire:

Row boats, aqua trikes, surf bikes and kayaks will be available for hire all summer every weekend, public and school holidays from ‘12:00 to late’ especially if the weather is good. Contact Andy of North Boat Hire on 0794 9984 181 for more info.

Fishing:

Permits for coarse (non-migratory) fishing on Castle Semple Loch are available from Castle Semple Centre. The loch has perch, pike and roach. Eels can also be caught. Local Clubs St Winnoch Angling Club or Castle Angling Club can give you more information on boats and have the rights for migratory species such as salmon and trout.

Local fisheries include Howwood.

Open hours:

Please contact us about any extended opening times on summer evenings.

Charges:

Download Price list PDF

Directions

OS Landranger 63 NS 234 656OS Landranger 63 NS

Road:

Off A737 Paisley/Kilwinning Road. At Roadhead roundabout follow signs for Lochwinnoch and Castle Semple

Train:

Nearest station Lochwinnoch 1 mile. Ardrossan/Ayr line from Glasgow Central - www.firstscotrail.co.uk

Bus:

Citylink Glasgow to Ardrossan passes at Roadhead roundabout.

Contact
Details:

Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, Castle Semple Visitor Centre, Lochlip Road, Lochwinnoch Renfrewshire PA12 4EA tel 01505 842 882