Parkhill
Wood
above Castle Semple Loch
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The
Grotto
in Parkhill Wood
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Castle
Semple Loch
from Parkhill
Wood
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Parkhill
Wood
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Castle
Semple Collegiate Church
The
late Gothic church
is under the protection of Historic Scotland
and is a Category
A listed building.
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Castle
Semple Collegiate Church
( Note:
Click here or on above for
large format copy )
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Castle
Semple Collegiate Church
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Castle
Semple Collegiate Church
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Castle
Semple Collegiate Church
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The
Temple
on Kenmure Hill
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The
Temple
on Kenmure Hill
The
octagonal structure was built in the 18th century
as a hunting lookout
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Castle
Semple Loch
from Kenmure
Hill
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Bridge over the Black Cart Water coming from Castle
Semple Loch
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NCR7
Cycle Route
through Castle
Semple Country Park
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NCR7
Cycle Route
through Castle
Semple Country Park
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Beach
at Blackditch Bay
on Castle Semple Loch
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Town
Centre in Kilwinnoch
Lochwinnoch is in the
county of Renfrewshire
on the banks of Castle
Semple Loch
and the River
Calder
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Town
Centre in Kilwinnoch
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Parish
Church
in Town Centre of Kilwinnoch
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Map of
the Castle Semple Country Park
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Map of
Howwood Area
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Route
Map of the Castle Semple Country Park
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Aerial view of Castle Semple Loch
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CASTLE SEMPLE
COUNTRY PARK - ROUTE DESCRIPTION:-
Location:
Renfrewshire
Map: OS Landranger 63 or Explorer 341
Distance: 5 miles ( 8km )
Time: 2-3 hours
Terrain: Easy low-level walk
It isn't every day you see a road sign warning
you to watch out for otter pups. The sign is on the approach to Castle
Semple Loch, the main feature of the country park. The otters are
actually on and around the adjacent RSPB Lochwinnoch reserve but it was
nice to know they were there. Castle Semple provides relaxed and
enjoyable walking with a real contrast between the amble along the
lochside with its birdlife and expansive views across the water and the
beautiful old woodland in Parkhill Wood. All of this once formed part
of the estate of the Sempill or Semple family, influential in medieval
times. In the 18th century they sold the estate to the Macdowalls who
built Castle Semple House and added many landscaping features such as
the grotto you pass.
The area is a popular and well-managed country park with a watersports
centre. As well as the path network, a cyclepath on an old railway line
runs through it. This cyclepath is used for the first part of the
walk and again later on but as soon as you step off it into Parkhill
Wood you are in a different world, with many grand trees, patches of
rhododendrons
and sparkling burns.
A short steep climb pulls you up to Park Hill which provides a splendid
view of Castle Semple Loch, Barr Loch beyond it and further away
Kilbirnie Loch. The path meanders back into the wood. Follow the
directions carefully; you are helped by red arrows at key points.
Leaving the woods, you come to Castle Semple Collegiate Church. It was
founded by the first Lord Sempill in 1504 as a place for worship and
learning, and remained in use until the 1680s. lt is a simple but very
attractive building and inside it you can see the ornate tomb of Lord
Sempill, who did not enjoy his church for long as he fell at the Battle
of Flodden in 1513.
You then turn back onto the cyclepath; look out here for the carving
featuring otters, dragonflies and other creatures just below the path.
The lochside path is joined at Blackditch Bay and is followed
back to the visitor centre which has a cafe, shop and toilets.
The loch holds a good variety of birdlife but for more avian interest
you can visit the nearby RSPB Lochwinnoch reserve. It is about 800m
from the Castle Semple visitor centre and there is a path between
the two.
The enthusiastic staff at the RSPB centre will happily tell you what
you can see and there are binoculars available; the centre also has
short trails leading to hides.
Route:
Start at the Castle Sempte visitor centre (GFI: NS35B590).
Walk up to the cyclepath and walk E.
In 1.2km turn left into Parkhill Wood.
Follow path to pond and grotto.
Turn left and in 50m left again.
Take path over Park Hill and back down into woods.
At lork go L uphill ( red arrow ) and follow path along top edge of
wood.
In about 500m take right fork, downhill.
At T-junction go left ( red arrow ) and follow path as it curves
round a small hill.
Cross burn and keep ahead to T-junction.
Turn left on main path through gate and past Collegiate Church.
Just before railway bridge go right through gate onto cyclepath.
Walk back for 1.5km then go left down to lochside path which is
followed back to the start.
Castle
Semple Gallery 
