WELCOME TO ARDGOWAN ESTATE WELCOME TO ARDGOWAN ESTATE

Welcome The Estate Guidelines We gladly welcome you to Ardgowan Estate - a registered Steeped in history and romance, Ardgowan is an The Estate is a great place to enjoy but it is also a heritage site and designated place of outstanding enchanting ten thousand acre Scottish Country Estate working environment so please exercise your access natural beauty. Open throughout the year, and free of situated on the banks of the on the west rights responsibly and be aware of other land users and charge, Ardgowan is a haven for walkers, joggers, cyclists coast of . land management requirements. and all outdoor enthusiasts. Located in the central belt, just 30 minutes from Please obey any signs that you see – a road closed will be Long before legislation made it mandatory we have been Airport, 45 minutes from Glasgow city centre, for good reason such as tree felling or an activity that proactive and positive in our attitude towards encouraging 55 minutes from Prestwick Airport and 90 minutes from puts you at risk. informal public access. However as footfall increases, so do Edinburgh city centre, Ardgowan benefits from the rare Please use roads, paths, gates and stiles provided – please the burdens associated with it - so where you can, please combination of privacy and accessibility. do not stray into woods and fields and adhere to the do your bit in helping us keep Ardgowan a clean, safe and country code of closing all gates behind you. With an abundance of wildlife, sea life, flora and fauna, people friendly environment for everyone to enjoy. Dogs are very welcome on the Estate but please keep as well as a number of historical points of interest, the them on a lead at all times. Please pick up your dog’s Although the house and the gardens are closed to the Estate makes for a great day out with all the family. For waste - there are dog litter bins by the Laird’s Dyke and public they are available for private hire for overnight those interested in exploring the Estate’s rich history, the Footbridge by the South Gate Entrance. accommodation, dinners, drinks receptions, photo shoots, please visit the History and Tours pages on our website. filming, conferences and weddings. Please visit our website Please respect the privacy of the residents on the Estate Keep an eye on our Facebook page www.ardgowan.co.uk for more information or contact the The Estate is not a through road and vehicular access is facebook.com/ardgowan.estate for news about Estate Office on [email protected] or 01475 521 656. restricted only to authorised vehicles only. upcoming indoor and outdoor events happening Motorbikes, scramblers and off-road vehicles are not on the Estate. permitted on the Estate.

page 2 visit us online www.ardgowan.co.uk like us www.facebook.com/ardowan.estate follow us on twitter @ArdgowanEstate A Guide To The ESTATE: INTRODUCTION

The Grounds Trees in the Estate The Wildlife James Ramsay, the Scottish equivalent of Capability Brown, On your travels you will see a rich and varied selection of This natural habitat has become home to a startling array laid out the beautifully landscaped 400-acre parkland in trees in and around the Estate, from ancient, indigenous, of woodland creatures such as hares, badgers and foxes. If 1797. He produced a fashionable design in the informal native hardwoods such as Oak, Birch and Ash through to you’re lucky you might be able to photograph the deer that style popularised in Scotland by Thomas White Senior, their more exotic, fast-growing, softwood cousins, such as roam the park, however you must be quick as they will with curving drives, contrived viewpoints and ribbons of Sitka Spruce, Corsican Pine and Japanese Larch. There are be gone as quickly as they appeared. Each day the dawn is planting. It still, to this day, retains its original form as well also an array of ornamental shrubs and several unique welcomed in by a chorus of songbirds. On your travels you as a number of its original features, such as picturesque species of rhododendron, planted by Lady Octavia - will likely see Herons, Eider duck, Kingfishers, Buzzards, roundels of trees and Ha-Has in the so-called Ditches Park. Ardgowan is a welcome haven for sylvaculturists. Oyster Catchers, Curlews, and Woodpeckers. There are also minibeasts galore visible only to the eagle-eyed. Climate & Cultivation Colourful Flowers The Surrounding Area Since the implementation of its design, generations of the Throughout the year the ever-changing woodlands are Known locally as the ‘gateway to the western highlands’, family have taken a keen interest in the cultivation of the matched only in colour by the carpet of wildflowers this area of Scotland is famed for the beauty and variety park. It was customary amongst the family to plant trees on the Estate such as daffodils, crocuses, primroses and of its landscape. The House itself, designed to exploit the to mark important events. The high rainfall and mild snowdrops. Ardgowan has become justly famouse for natural topography to its best effect, commands superb temperatures, associated with this Gulf Stream climate, the millions of snowdrops that carpet the Estate each views across the Clyde towards Arran, Bute and the have proved a fertile breeding ground for an unusual and year, heralding in spring. They were planted by Frances Peninsula with the rugged Goatfell range prominent. This exotic array of flora and fauna, and many of these historical Colhoun, Sir John’s wife, and although little is known area in particular is renowned for its history, scenery, plantings can still be seen - each with their own story. about her, our annual snowdrop day in aid of local seafood, fine meats, crafts and its whisky. charities, keeps her name alive.

page 3 visit us online www.ardgowan.co.uk like us www.facebook.com/ardowan.estate follow us on twitter @ArdgowanEstate page 4 visit us online www.ardgowan.co.uk like us www.facebook.com/ardowan.estate follow us on twitter @ArdgowanEstate A Guide To The OUTDOOR SIGHTS The Waulkmill Fields The Laird’s Dyke Elizabeth’s Grave Built between 1797 and 1801 by Robert Adam’s Two lost villages of Netherton and Milltown Smugglers used this cove in the 18th century A memorial to mark the favourite walk of Clerk of Works at Culzean, Hugh Cairncross, appear here on the earliest plans. The Waukmill for the illegal importation of tobacco and Elizabeth, beloved wife of Sir Guy Shaw the grade A listed building is typically fields are so called because their use for ‘waulking’ sugar to circumvent excise taxes applicable Stewart, 10th Bt. who died in 1968. Palladian in style with a pedimented central in the medieval times, a process of thickening down the coast. Contraband was then stored in block and link wings leading to pavilions. material often done in close proximity to a water the Shielhill Glen caves. The dyke was built at The Cairn It is the only country house ever built by source, in this case the Kip. The fields are split the beginning of the 19th century to moor the Situated high on the bank amidst the Cairncross. William Burn and Robert Lorimer by the ‘Castle Drive’, which marks the original family yacht, “The Cavalier”. The remains of undergrowth is the remains of a Cairn, carried out subsequent improvements. To medieval approach to the Castle. a bathing house are still visible on the shore. reputedly built to mark the spot from which learn more about the history of the family and The Stables Ferry Tenders for the passing Paddle Steamers Robert the Bruce fired the decisive arrow in the 1314 Battle of Inverkip, killing the Castle’s the house, see the Guided Tours page of our Built in 1801 as offices, this is one of only a few used the Dyke until the Glasgow to Wemyss website. stable blocks in Scotland that is a quadrangle Bay Railway opened in 1865. commander and ending English occupation. The Chapel with a clock tower. Following a fire in the 1840s, American Garden Ardgowan Castle an upper storey was added to the quadrangle Built by John Henderson in 1854 in the to create flats, which are now available to rent. As a means of adding variety to the landscape, it Visible from Lady Octavia’s walk, the 15th Perpendicular Gothic Revival style, the chapel Alongside the stables is a Cattle Byre – each was a Victorian fashion to plant non-indigenous century stone tower is all that remains of a was originally connected to the house by morning a milkmaid would take the milk up species of trees often arranged by country of much larger complex with formal gardens. a corridor and was exclusively used by the the steep ‘Dairy Brae’ on a shoulder yoke to origin. This arboretum of American species An 11th century wooden tower, used to ward family and Estate staff. ‘The minister’s walk’ the House Dairy where it would be made into was planted in the late 19th century by Lady off Vikings, preceded it. The castle became a marks the route of the minister’s journey butter, cream and cheese. The Byre is now a Octavia and includes Californian redwoods and flashpoint in the Wars of Independence and home to his vicarage across the road. The converted stableblock available for horse livery American Sitka spruce. Robert the Bruce fought here twice, firstly in chapel fell into ruin after the war. – see our website for details. 1304 on the side of the attacking English and Crowhill Wood secondly in 1314 as King of Scotland, ending Japanese Garden Golden Gardens An ancient beech plantation and the likely ten years of English occupation. In the 19th century azaleas were being The Golden Gardens were planted as a gift site of the 1304 Battle of Inverkip. In the 1850s imported in bulk to Scotland, as they were from the Estate workers in 1933 on the paths were laid out leading from Ardgowan Kip Marina considered exotic on account of their colour. occasion of the Golden Wedding Anniversary House through the woods. Two summerhouses The oldest Marina in Scotland! The mouth This, combined with interest in the Orient, of Sir Hugh and Lady Alice. All the plants that were built along these paths, but both were of the River Kip was excavated by Army led to a cultivated Victorian fashion for were chosen are golden when in leaf. lost during the Second World War. Reserves in the 1940s to store barges; Kip decorative, ornamental themed gardens. Marina was then built in the 1960s - it has 600 Alongside azaleas, you will find other Bridgend Grey Lady’s Walk berths, full amenities, a restaurant and a bar. exotic species such as Persian ironwoods, A settlement on this site appears on the A strange place where birds rarely sing, so salmonberry, yew and rhododendrons. The earliest plans (1680s). The current arrangement called because a shadowy figure said to be the Historic Walled Gardens Japanese Garden also incorporated a grotto and of terraced cottages was built in the 1860s apparition of a grey lady has been sighted and A feature of Ramsay’s original designed a picturesque path system cut into the hill, to house Estate workers. This development photographed here. Please let us know if you landscape, this 3.5-acre lozenge shaped kitchen which have become overgrown by native trees. incorporates an earlier Bothy/toll house to capture her on camera! garden had white gravel pathways and guard the Inverkip Bridge, along which the produced exotic fruit, vegetables and flowers North Gate main road used to run parallel to the A78. Ditches Park on an industrial scale. Revolutionized by Traditionally the lodgings of the gamekeeper, These cottages are now available to rent. Ramsay introduced Haha’s along the lower the arrival of ‘Cabbage Broon’, the gardener North Lodge was built in 1797 as a gatehouse The Parkland walk creating the so-called Ditches Park. Haha’s from Eaton Hall, who lived in the Gardener’s on the northern approach which connected Landscaped in just 4 years, Ramsay winched were a means of containing livestock without Cottage, the walled garden used to yield the Estate to via the coast road. This fully mature trees into position to meet the impeding views. The name is derived from the enough produce to supply the markets in area of the Estate was also where the laundry tight planting deadlines and rerouted the amusing moment of discovery when a vertical Covent Garden via an overnight train. and washing houses were located, on the site of River Kip through the Park to maximise its drop suddenly becomes visible. what is now Lunderston House. picturesque appeal. page 5 visit us online www.ardgowan.co.uk like us www.facebook.com/ardowan.estate follow us on twitter @ArdgowanEstate A Guide To The JUBILEE Paths

The Blue Jubilee Trail The White Jubilee Trail Blue dashed line on the map. White dashed line on the map. Circular path, 1.8km / 1.1 miles, 40 mins Circular path, 2.1km / 1.3 miles, 50 minutes Mixture of road and path. Stout shoes recommended. Mixture of road and path. Stout shoes recommended. Lady Octavia Walk can be muddy. Easy and flat the whole Easy with gradual hill (on road - East Drive toWest Drive). way . Directions Directions Launched to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the Launched to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the White Trail is more forgiving on the feet, mainly following Blue Trail is for the more adventurous, requiring stout the tarmac drives on the Estate. This trail follows the old footwear to navigate the muddy tracks. Starting at the Wauk Mill Road to the Eastern gateway and up the main south end of the Estate, the trail takes in the Stable Block, drive affording the best views of the parkland and the the remains of the Walled Garden, the Japanese Garden on house. the bank, as well as affording the best views of the castle ruin. Starting from Kip Marina, walk north along the West Drive, take the first right on to Castle Drive and then left along Starting from Kip Marina, walk north along the West Drive. Waukmill Drive. At the East Gate, follow the East Drive up After passing the Stables, take the path on the left which will the hill, Ardgowan House will gradually come into view. At take you behind the Stables and into the woodland. You will the junction just before the house, turn left down the hill and pass the remains of the Historical Walled Garden on your left. follow the West Drive back towards Kip Marina. Follow the track until you reach a junction; take the left fork, keeping the Manor Kingdom development on your right. This road will take you back to the West Drive.

left left Grey Lady’s Walk Ardgowan Castle right right Private Garden Kip River page 6 visit us online www.ardgowan.co.uk like us www.facebook.com/ardowan.estate follow us on twitter @ArdgowanEstate Paths WITHIN THE ESTATE & The NATIONAL ROUTE NR753

Other paths in Ardgowan Estate National Route NR753 (Coastal) Tracks/paths are yellow solid lines. Roads are grey solid Red solid line on the map. lines.We recommend that appropriate footwear is worn Approx. 5.5km/3.5 miles from McInroy’s Point, Gourock to as the paths can be muddy/wet in all seasons. Inverkip. For longer options, see below. Beach Path Mixture of pavement and multi-user surfaced path. A mixture of flat track and path. Can be muddy. Leads to a Easy and flat the whole way from Gourock to Inverkip. beautiful sandy beach to the south and a rocky shoreline to the North. If it very wet, an alternative route is via the Manor NR753 Overview Kingdom Development. There are signposts for the path to the The National Cycle Network (NCN) and the National Route beach and National Route 753. Look out for the old Summer House by the Laird’s Dyke causeway. (NR) are safe, traffic-free paths/quiet pavement routes that connect to every major town in the UK. The Network Grey Lady’s Walk stretches over 14,000 miles and is popular with cyclists, A hilly woodland path. Can be muddy. walkers, joggers, wheelchair users and horse riders. See www. Narrow, sloping paths link it to the Lower Walk Path. sustrans.org.uk for further information. Gallop Path NR 753 runs for roughly 3.5 miles from Inverkip to McInroy’s A hilly woodland track. Can be muddy. Point, Gourock where it meets NCN75 which then runs Lower Walk Path for 114 miles, passing through Glasgow and ending in A flat woodland track (except for a short, steep incline near Edinburgh. The route between Inverkip and is on Laundry Path). Can be very muddy. the beautiful coastline of the River Clyde, except for a few Upper Walk Path short areas. A high level track with great views. Can be muddy. NR753 Transport Links top to bottom: Lady Octavia Walk There are train stations on/very near the routes at Inverkip, Elizabeth’s Grave; A flat woodland track. Can be muddy. Gourock, Fort Matilda, Greenock Central, and Cartsdyke The Snowdrops; North Drive (Greenock). www.scotrail.co.uk Ardgowan Chapel. A flat track. Normally quite dry underfoot. Buses run along the routes www.mcgillsbuses.co.uk Laundry Path There is parking along the route: car parks are available An uneven, narrow path with an incline. Can be wet. at Gourock and ; on-street parking is Minister’s Walk available in Gourock and Inverkip. A path with an incline. Can be muddy. Castle Drive and Waukmill Drive Flat tracks with good views across the parkland. West and East Drives Roads. West is flat until stables, East has an incline. Please note that the areas to the front and rear of Ardgowan House are private gardens. Beach at Marina page 7 visit us online www.ardgowan.co.uk like us www.facebook.com/ardowan.estate follow us on twitter @ArdgowanEstate TRANSPORT LINKS AND LOCALITY

By Road Transport Contact Details Located just 90 minutes from Edinburgh city centre and 45 Rail - www.scotrail.co.uk minutes from Glasgow city centre, Ardgowan is well served by the M8 motorway system as well as a number of other Bus - www.mcgillsbuses.co.uk arterial roads, making it easily accessible by road. A PDF of Taxis driving instructions can be downloaded from our website. Eddie’s Taxi’s - 07854 015 533 Inverclyde Taxis - 01475 888 888 For those with satnav, our address is: Ardgowan Estate, Inverkip, PA16 ODW, Scotland Boat McInroy’s Point - ferries to/from . Please note that for recreational visitors, there is no parking www.western-ferries.co.uk Dunoon Gourock available within the Estate. Parking is available in Inverkip Gourock - ferries to/from Dunoon and . Greenock (0.3 miles), at Kip Marina (next to Estate) and at Lunderston www.argyllferries.co.uk OR www.spt.co.uk/kilcreggan-ferry Ardgowan Bay (0.7 miles via coastal trail/pavement/bus). / - ferries to/from Cumbrae/Bute. Inverkip Glasgow www.calmac.co.uk Wemyss Bay By Public Transport Ardgowan is well serviced by a network of west coast trains The Locality Bute and buses. The nearest train station is Inverkip, 0.6 miles away, which affords direct access by foot into the Estate via Ardgowan House Largs the A78 footbridge by the Kip Marina South Gate Entrance. Available for weddings, conferences, drinks receptions, Cumbrae However this station is unmanned and taxis have to be dinners, accommodation and tours. Please contact the prebooked. The closest stations with taxi ranks are Wemyss Estate Office on 01475 521 656 to check availability Bay, 2.7 miles away, Gourock Station 5.4 miles away however Gourock the quickest way, in terms of roads is Station, Gourock has a wide range of shops, cafes, restaurants 5.8 miles away which has a taxi rank in the car park opposite and pubs. the station exit. Approximate journey cost by taxi is £15. Lunderston Bay Beautiful beach and the Cardwell Garden Centre. By Water Inverkip Being on the coast, Ardgowan has easy access to and from the Sainsbury’s, The Kipper Bistro, Bongio Fast Food, Islands and Western Highlands by ferry, with terminals at The Inverkip Hotel, Bar and Restaurant, Wemyss Bay (2.2 miles), Largs (9.3 miles) and McInroy’s Point The Chartroom Restaurant (3.8 miles). If travelling by foot, taxis will need to be booked for collection. Please check that your chosen terminal goes to Clyde Muirshiel Park your destination. Timetables are available at the Estate office. Visitors’ Centre, nature trail and access to Greenock Cut walk With the Marina on our doorstep, by the south gate entrance, Ardgowan Fishery boats can be chartered and private yachts can dock and be by the Cornalees Bridge moored easily. page 8 visit us online www.ardgowan.co.uk like us www.facebook.com/ardowan.estate follow us on twitter @ArdgowanEstate