The Visitor Centre, at Loch Thom is the starting point for a range of lochside, woodland and historic walks all with wonderful scenic views and lots of wildlife watching opportunties.
Visit the interactive Greenock Cut Exhibition on arrival for a more memorable experience of the Greenock Cut itself, engineer Robert Thom's aquatic masterpiece. The Cut is a scheduled ancient monument and is 5.5 miles long and provided the people and industry of Greenock for centuries. Allow half a day to enjoy a reasonably level circular walk of the Greenock Cut with panoramic views of the Firth of Clyde and islands especially if you walk anti clockwise! Those with less time can enjoy the 2.5km (allow 1 hour) Shielhill Glen Nature Trail which includes part of the Greenock and Kelly Cuts or climb up Dunrod Hill (short but steep) to admire more wonderful landscapes. You can also download and hunt for the Glen's wood spirits!
The Countryside Ranger Service run a popular activities and events programme as well as host meetings, school groups and provide information and advice on local walks and wildlife watching opportunties. Access to the Visitor Centre and exhibition is free, it is open weekends in summer providing refreshments, gifts and childrens wildife activities. The Centre toilets are open most days all year if the Rangers are on site. The cafe is open weekends in the summer with teaching room for hire.
Other popular Visitor Sites within Clyde Muirshiel - Scotland's largest Regional Park are:
Castle Semple Visitor Centre & Country Park, on the shores of Castle Semple Loch in Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire. The Centre is on sustrans cycle route 7 from Paisley/Glasgow to/from Irvine and only 1 mile form Lochwinnoch Railway Station. There is seasonal mountain bike hire as well as walks such as the Semple Trail into in Parkhill Wood, the designed landscape woodlands of the Semple Clan.
Castle Semple is the only Outdoor Activity Centre in the area and Scotland's only Centre of Excellence for accessible sailing, it is recognised by the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority to deliver water sports such as RYA sailing and power boating, BCU kayaking and canoeing. Other outdoor adventure activity courses and group taster sessions include mountain biking, archery, navigation and raft building. All outdoor activities need to be organised in advance. Contact 01505 842 882 for details.
Muirshiel Visitor Centre & Country Park, is only 4 miles from Lochwinnoch in the heart of the Regional Park with easy access to great walking in Hen Harrier country - the moors have been home to one of Britain's rarest Birds of prey. The wonderful scenery includes walks in the heather hills of Misty Law and Hill of Stake (522m) and walks to the now disused Barytes mine. The child friendly walk to the volcanic plug of Windy Hill (316m) has great views over the Clyde and towards Glasgow. Or stay in the woods of the Country Park and follow a waymarked trail, they vary in length from the 2km (1 hour) country, 1km (20 min) habitat or 500m (20 min) waterfall trail, looking out and seeking out the Muirshiel 'Forest Folk' or new Insect Hunt while you're there!
