Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park Tel 01505 842 882 Email [email protected]

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Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park Tel 01505 842 882 Email Info@Clydemuirshiel.Co.Uk Look out for events celebrating food and drink in Scotland’s largest Regional Park. Walks & Talks Volunteering Our Countryside Rangers co- If you would like to get involved with ordinate most events and are conservation activities or countryside management, have fun and learn available to give advice on walks, new skills, you can! wildlife or any countryside issue. Contact them at Centres. Thursdays 12.30 – 15.30 hrs at Castle Semple. Saturdays 10.30 – 14.30 hrs with Greenock Cut Ranger Team. Lochwinnoch Community Walk takes Sundays 10.00 - 12.00 hrs Youth Group place every Monday - meet 10.30 hrs at the (12-18). Castle Semple. More details of McKillop, Lochwinnoch, allow 1.5 hours. group and individual opportunities available can be found on our website. Outdoor Activity Courses Semple Trail such as kayaking, sailing, Heritage archery, map and compass Project (STHP) skills run all season primarily at WATERSPORTS Castle Semple. Look at the back pages, The STHP aims to involve online for course dates or contact the communities in the natural & built Centre for group bookings. Castle heritage of this area and the ancient Semple is an RYA Sailability Centre of Excellence fully equipped to help Semple clan. Download the 12km budding sailors with disabilities, contact route guide from our website. Look us to discuss your needs. out for new seats, signage and interpretation this season! Please NOTE • All events, walks and activities must be booked in advance unless otherwise stated. Bike Hire at Castle Semple • For walks and land based activities you should Mountain, comfort and children’s always have warm clothing, waterproofs, walking bikes plus tandems and trailers. boots or sturdy shoes. Hires available all summer every • For all water based activities bring a complete weekend, public and school holiday. change of warm clothes including shoes and Contact Martin of RT Cycles on shower equipment. 07867 790 889. to arrange hire out with these times. • Children must be accompanied by an adult for all events and family fun sessions. • Numbers can be limited and age restrictions apply for others - to avoid disappointment, always contact the Centre in advance to check. SPRING/SUMMER 2015 MAR 2015 APRIL 2015 Sun 22 Mar Spring Hide & Seek Has spring arrived? Are the woods waking up after their winter sleep? Come & explore Shielhill Glen and find the emerging woodspirits marking their locations with a GPS. WHERE: Greenock Cut Visitor Centre WHEN: 13.00 – 15.00 hrs COST: £2 per person includes hot drink and biscuits MORE INFO: tel 01475 529 543 & bookings Mon 23 – Sun 29 Mar Lochwinnoch Arts Festival Photography Exhibition ʻLochwinnochʼ is the theme for the first display of landscapes, portraits and wildlife by local photographers. Signed prints will be for sale. Fri 3 Apr WHERE: Castle Semple Visitor Centre Open for Summer WHEN: 10.00 – 16.00 hrs open daily Summer hours begin, join a Ranger-lead event or stop MORE INFO: tel 01505 842 882 Ex 20 for a coffee and admire the beautiful countryside. Bike hire summer hours begin at Castle Semple. WHERE: All Visitor Centres WHEN: Castle Semple 10.00 - 17.00 hrs daily Muirshiel and Greenock Cut 11.00 - 16.00 hrs daily Fri 3 – Mon 6 Apr Easter Weekend Entertainment See the Visitor Centre Staff at Muirshiel & Greenock Cut for your Easter Quiz Sheet when visiting this weekend! Or have a go at the Castle Semple Easter Competition in the lochshore field! WHERE: All Centres WHEN: Castle Semple 10.00 - 17.00 hrs daily Muirshiel and Greenock Cut 11.00 - 16.00 hrs daily Sun 5 April Wed 25 Mar The Great Greenock Cut Howwood to Castle Semple Eggstravaganza Join the Rangers and Feeling Fitter crew for a Level 2 Bring the family along to decorate walk. an egg, indulge in tea and hot MEET: Howwood Train Station cross buns before taking part in a WHEN: 11.00 hrs, allow 2 hrs. traditional egg rolling competition. MORE INFO: tel 01505 842 882 Ex 20 WHERE: Greenock Cut Visitor Centre WHEN: 13.00 – 15.00 hrs Sat 28 Mar COST: £1 per egg, £3 for tea & hot cross buns. MORE INFO: tel 01475 529 543 & bookings Paracycling at Glasgow Green CMRP staff will be there with their new range of handbikes with event partners Blazing Saddles and Mon 6 – Fri 10 & Mon 13 – Fri 17 Apr Glasgow Riderz cycling club. Come and try! Junior Multi Activity Weeks A full week of sport for 8 - 15 yr olds to get active, learn Sun 29 Mar new skills and make new friends, on land and water! Week 1 full day sessions available, week 2 AM or PM Butterfly ID & Transect Training sessions. Get 6 or more children together and book your Join us and our friends at Butterfly Conservation for a own course. morning of identification tips and tricks plus learn how to WHERE: Castle Semple Visitor Centre run your own transect. COST: 5 FULL DAYS £160 or 5 HALF DAYS WHERE: Castle Semple Visitor Centre £98 WHEN: 10.00 – 13.00 hrs MORE INFO: tel 01505 842 882 Ex 20 & bookings MORE INFO: tel 01505 842 882 Ex 20 & bookings 1 APRIL 2015 MAY 2015 Sat 11 & Sun 12 Apr Big WoW Weekend Find out about all the animals we have been filming - weasels, badgers, roes and more. Ringing demonstrations throughout the day, weather dependent. WHERE: Muirshiel Country Park WHEN: 11.00 - 16.00 hrs both days MORE INFO: tel 01505 842 882 Ex 20 Sun 26 Apr Pedal the Park: Cycling Festival Join Ride 63 Community Cycle Club and the Park Staff for a fun day out pedalling in the Park! There is a ʻRoad Rideʼ, ʻMt Bike Rideʼ plus family friendly ride, prizes and activities. Event village with lots of entertainment including a ʻRollapaluzaʼ! No bike?! Hire one from RT Cyclesʼ Martin. WHERE: Castle Semple Centre. Road and Mt Bike ride info on Ride 63 facebook page WHEN: From 10.00 hrs MORE INFO: tel 01505 842 882 Ex 21 Fri 15 – Sun 24 May Volunteer Arts Week Art takes many forms, keep a look out for a ʻCraft Bombʼ at your Regional Park this week. WHERE: Any Visitor Centre WHEN: Castle Semple 10.00 - 17.00 hrs daily Muirshiel and Greenock Cut 11.00 - 16.00 hrs daily Sat 2 & Sun 3 May Big WoW Weekend Find out about all the animals we have been filming - weasels, badgers, roe deer and more. Ringing demonstrations throughout the day, weather dependent. WHERE: Muirshiel Country Park WHEN: 11.00 - 16.00 hrs both days MORE INFO: tel 01505 842 882 Ex 20 Thur 7 May Beachwatch Help with the Marine Conservation Societyʼs beach survey work, by collecting and recording sea debris, to make a national report. WHERE Lunderston Bay WHEN: 10.00 hrs onwards MORE INFO: tel 01475 521 458 & bookings 2 MAY 2015 JUNE 2015 Fri 15 May Marvellous Moths As night time arrives it brings with it a colourful array of moths. See and find out about some of these attractive and curious insects. WHERE: Barnbrock Campsite, Park HQ WHEN: 21.30 hrs onwards MORE INFO: tel 01505 614 791 & bookings Fri 22 – Sun 31 May Scotland’s Nature Festival Get out and celebrate our amazing selection of wildlife in Scotland. Muirshiel Centre will be showing hen harrier footage and Castle Semple will have WoW Project highlights in the Sempill Room. Sat 23 & Sun 24 May WHERE: Castle Semple & Muirshiel Visitor Centres IOM Yachting Championship WHEN: 10.00 – 17.00/11.00 – 16.00 hrs each day Watch the International One Metre Yachting elite as they Sun 24 May race along the shores of Castle Semple Loch. WHERE: Castle Semple Visitor Centre - TBC Seed Balls WHEN: 10.00 – 16.00 hrs approx daily Create & lob your very own green grenades! Bomb on MORE INFO: tel 01505 842 882 Ex 20 site or to take away. WHERE: Greenock Cut Visitor Centre Sat 30 May WHEN: 13.00 – 15.00 hrs COST: £2.50 per child Castle Semple Rowing Club Regatta MORE INFO: tel 01475 529 543 & bookings One of the biggest rowing events in the Scottish calendar! There will be lots of boats and plenty of Sun 31 May spectator viewing available. Please consider public Build a Bird Box or Feeder transport as the car park will be very busy. WHERE: Castle Semple Visitor Centre Take advantage of the knowledge and skills of the WHEN: All day Rangers and build your very own to take home or leave MORE INFO: www.castlesemplerc.co.uk around the Visitor Centre. WHERE: Greenock Cut Visitor Centre Wed 3 June WHEN: 13.00 – 15.00 hrs COST: £2.50 per box & £1.50 per feeder made Pound and Pace MORE INFO: tel 01475 529 543 & bookings The annual circular walk raising funds for local charities. Donate a pound to join the walk and remember your raffle money! WHERE: Greenock Cut Visitor Centre WHEN: 10.15 registration, walk starts 11.00 hrs, allow 3 hours MORE INFO: tel 01475 521 458 Sat 6 June RYA Honda Ribs Scottish Final Watch the fast boats on the water and enjoy a bouncy castle, face painting, country walks or refreshments on dry land! WHERE: Castle Semple Visitor Centre WHEN: 10.00 – 15.00 hrs approx MORE INFO: tel 01505 842 882 Ex 20 Sun 7 June Classic Cars Cruise into Greenock Cut Come and take a look at the pride and joy of the Scottish Western Thoroughbred Vehicle Club, lovely scenery, refreshments, walks and wildlife also on hand! WHERE Greenock Cut Visitor Centre WHEN: 11.00 – 16.00 hrs MORE INFO: tel 01475 521 458 3 JUNE 2015 JULY 2015 Fri 12 June Marvellous Moths As night time arrives it brings with it a colourful array of moths.
Recommended publications
  • Castle Semple, Lochwinnoch Castle Parkhill Wood Parkhill from “Heartlands” by Betty Mckellar, 1999 NCR7
    Mature woodlands, distant views to the Firth of Clyde, a medievalCastle church, Semple, the traces of anLochwinnoch old formal estate, and a loch shore – this route certainly has plenty of variety. In Parkhill Wood you’ll see lots of changes with the passage of the seasons. Bluebells in spring, bright summer flowers, the rich reds and russets of autumn foliage, and bright winter berries attracting feeding birds. Enjoy it at any time of year ! Start and finish Castle Semple Visitor Centre, about 500m from the centre of Lochwinnoch (grid reference NS358590). There are signposts to the Centre in the village, which you can reach by public transport. Distance 8 km (5 miles). Allow 3 hours. Terrain Mixture of excellent flat paths and narrower woodland paths. Some muddy sections. No stiles but The golden finger of a solitary sunbeam shaft some gates. Shows silver silhouettes against the green Of poplar, hawthorn and ash And the slender birch, Ghosts adrift Like grey chiffon Floating in the wisps of twilight Castle Semple, Lochwinnoch Castle Parkhill Wood Parkhill from “Heartlands” by Betty McKellar, 1999 NCR7 5 7 8 3 6 4 9 2 1 Cycle routes N 0 0.2 miles 0 250 metres © Crown copyright. All rights reserved Renfrewshire Council O.S. licence RC100023417 2008. 1 From Castle Semple Visitor Centre car park, walk along the shore of Castle Semple Loch in front of the Centre building. Continue along the shore path. There are plenty of seats along here. 2 At a path junction with a lifebuoy and signboard, turn left up the hill.
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  • The Semple Trail
    DISCOVER THE SEMPLE TRAIL This belongs to: Use your passport to help you discover Can you work out the answers to all of all the Semple trail has to offer! these questions about the Trail? Get hands on with Learn to identify some of the many creatures these fun activities you’ll come across on the Semple Trail Learn all about the past and present of Keep your eyes peeled to find as many the Semple Trail with these fun facts of our resident creatures as you can THE LOCHSHORE ALONG FROM CASTLE SEMPLE For many years people have curled on the loch when it has frozen over. Lochwinnoch Curling Club was formed away back in 1827, and many big competitions were held in the area during the 19th century. Go and visit the curling rink ‘lookooterie’ just in front of Castle Semple Visitor Centre. Looking inside the rink will help you answer the following: How much does an Olympic curling stone weigh? In what year was curling first played at the winter Olympics? Lots of ducks and swans live at Castle Semple loch. How many can you see today? In Scottish Folklore, whooper swans are said to be a good omen. Here’s how you tell the difference between a whooper swan and a mute swan: WHOOPER SWANS have straight yellow beaks and whoop when in flight. What piece of equipment was said to be the first MUTE SWANS have orange beaks and a black used in Scotland to build a road between the Barr patch between their eyes.
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  • South Renfrewshire Access Network Initiative
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  • Semple Trail
    Further information Castle Semple Visitor Centre Lochwinnoch PA12 4EA | 01505 842 882 RSPB Lochwinnoch Visitor Centre Lochwinnoch PA12 4JF | 01505 842 663 How to find Semple Trail Discover the By bike: NCR7 By train: Stations at Lochwinnoch and Howwood By Car: Car parks at Castle Semple Visitor Semple Trail Centre and RSPB Lochwinnoch Sections of the Semple Trail are accessible to wheelchair users. Please contact the visitor centres for more information. Howwood Kilmacolm M8 and Glasgow Paisley Howwood Kilbarchan Station Lochwinnoch Castle Semple Visitor Centre A737 A760 RSPB Visitor Centre History KilbirnieLochwinnoch Station and Heritage Beith THIS PROJECT WAS PART FUNDED BY THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT AND THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY Several of the historic structures within Castle RENFREWSHIRE LEADER PROGRAMME Semple estate have recently been restored and are now accessible. These include the impressive cascade complex and its adjacent ice house and cave. The nearby Category A listed Collegiate Church dates back to the early 16th century. View the octagonal Temple from the foot of Kenmure Hill and discover the grotto which rests within Parkhill's woodland. Landscape Many of the area's features date back to the 18th and 19th centuries and can still be appreciated today. Visitors can walk paths that were once carriage The Semple Trail offers drives and admire the historic tree plantations. Seven new and unique viewpoints (see map visitors of all ages a chance to overleaf) are located along the trail, each discover, learn and have fun. offering a place to sit and discover important parts of the area's heritage. Picnic on the loch shore, visit an RSPB hide or climb up to the viewpoints and explore the paths that loop through the impressive woodland.
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  • Castle Semple Loch – It's History & Hydrology
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  • Semple Trail Nature, Heritage, Landscape and Leisure
    Semple Trail Nature, heritage, landscape and leisure Welcome to the Semple Trail Take time to enjoy all that the Semple Trail offers: wildlife and flora, history and heritage, vistas of land, water and sky. The Semple Trail Heritage Project from mute swans and greylag (STHP) recognises connections geese on the loch to great spotted between the land, its natural history woodpeckers drumming in the and its human heritage. Visitors woods. can now enjoy access to the trail’s Whether you use the trail to enjoy its carefully conserved treasures, natural history, its heritage or simply landscape and wildlife. for a country walk, this booklet will The area offers the simple pleasures add a new dimension to your visit, of outdoor walks, sports and leisure. providing the background to the It forms a circular route, 14km natural and human history of (9 miles) long, with shorter walks Castle Semple. leading off it. Paths wind through To find out more about the trail, farmland, woodland and loch please visit www.clydemuirshiel. sides—all of which vary in mood and co.uk/semple-trail where you can interest as the seasons change. also complete our short survey and The trail is home to a wide range of add your comments. wildlife including otters, badgers and roe deer. Over 100 bird species are known to visit the nearby reserve, The history of Castle Semple The landscape we enjoy today has been shaped over 500 years by the work of three families. The Sempills, the MacDowalls and the Harveys sought to improve and develop the land to support their business and leisure interests.
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  • Clyde Muirshiel Park Authority
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  • Castle Semple Collegiate Church
    Property in Care (PIC) ID: PIC116 Designations: Scheduled Monument (SM90067) Taken into State care: 1949 (ownership) Last reviewed: 2014 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE CASTLE SEMPLE COLLEGIATE CHURCH We continually revise our Statements of Significance, so they may vary in length, format and level of detail. While every effort is made to keep them up to date, they should not be considered a definitive or final assessment of our properties. Historic Environment Scotland – Scottish Charity No. SC045925 Principal Office: Longmore House, Salisbury Place, Edinburgh EH9 1SH © Historic Environment Scotland 2018 You may re-use this information (excluding logos and images) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit http://nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open- government-licence/version/3/ or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: [email protected] Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned. Any enquiries regarding this document should be sent to us at: Historic Environment Scotland Longmore House Salisbury Place Edinburgh EH9 1SH +44 (0) 131 668 8600 www.historicenvironment.scot You can download this publication from our website at www.historicenvironment.scot Historic Environment Scotland – Scottish Charity No. SC045925 Principal Office: Longmore House, Salisbury Place, Edinburgh EH9 1SH CASTLE SEMPLE COLLEGIATE CHURCH SYNOPSIS Castle Semple Collegiate Church stands near the north end of Castle Semple Loch, close to its western shore and 1¼ miles NE of Lochwinnoch.
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  • Kenmure Hill Centre Lochwinnoch
    Renfrewshire START/FINISH: Castle Semple Visitor Kenmure Hill Centre Lochwinnoch Climb the iconic Temple hill to see the remnants of the 18th Century Georgian designed landscape. Fabulous views across the historic Castle Semple estate and rural Renfrewshire. On whin dust trails, tarmac path and grassy trails. Paths can be muddy in wet weather. 3 gates and 3 kissing gates. 5.5 miles / 8.9 km Allow 2-3hrs moderate More information Collegiate Church Founded in 1504 by Temple Built shortly after Castle Semple John 1st Lord Sempill it is a late example of House in the early 1730s the Temple sits atop only 42 such churches in Scotland. It was Kenmure Hill. The hill is surrounded by a deer served by a college of priests whose duty was dyke – a boundary ditch stone faced on one to pray for the soul of the Sempill family. side (called a ha ha), it could not be seen at a distance giving the impression that the deer The original design was a plain austere were free to roam. rectangular building with a small tower on the west side. Evidence for a stair against the Many people think that the Temple was a place north wall suggests that there was an upper to view the hunt or a lovers trysting place. loft. The south wall has three highly unusual However, it was originally built as a feature of windows (reconstructed in the later 1970’s) the designed landscape also known as a folly. with eccentric curved decorative bands. The Route OS Map 1:25000 Explorer 341 or 1:50000 Landranger 63 • From the Visitor Centre head along the • Retrace your way along the cycle track.
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  • July to December 2015 Feeling Fitter 29 Part of Renfrewshire Walking Network
    July to December 2015 Feeling Fitter 29 part of Renfrewshire Walking Network Wednesday and Community Walks around Renfrewshire In association with Why Should I Go Walking? Walking is a great way to stay healthy and benefits are plentiful. Below are a few of the benefits that you can expect to gain by maintaining a level of walking which suits your ability. • Helps control weight • Builds and maintains healthy bones, muscles and joints • Improves the function of your heart and lungs • Relaxes you • Reduces signs of stress and anxiety • Gives you more energy • Reduces high blood pressure and cholesterol • Increases self confidence • Keeps the brain active Why not build up your walking programme If you are starting out on your first walk build up your fitness gradually and join one of the many health walks in your local community, meet lots of new friends and chat while the miles disappear and before you know, its time for a well earned cuppa, whilst reflecting on your morning’s exercise. Next on the programme is level 1A which is slightly longer than your health walk but you know you are ready for the challenge! Moving on to Level 1B which is slightly more adventurous than the last level, incorporating more inclines and walking for a slightly longer distance. Last level on the Renfrewshire Walking Network programme is Level 2 which incorporates all levels adding in rougher ground, longer time and distance walking but just as enjoyable with lots of company along the way! So whatever level you start at there is a walking group in Renfrewshire for you.
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  • Castle Semple Loch: History & Hydrology
    Castle Semple Loch: History & Hydrology Castle Semple Loch is situated to the southeast of the Renfrewshire hills in the Lochwinnoch Gap. The loch is 25 kilometres south west of Glasgow and 15 kilometres east of Largs. The village of Lochwinnoch is sited at the northwest end of the loch. Aerial image 2003 Geology and Geomorphology The loch is situated in a glacial trough between two sections of the Clyde Plateau lava. The underlying rock is basaltic lava laid down in the Carboniferous Period 320 -270 million years ago. The glacial trough is overlain with sediments belonging to the Carboniferous Limestone Coal Series with more recent alluvial deposits on top. An area of boulder clay intrudes along the eastern edge of the Barr Loch. History of Castle Semple Loch It is likely that the Loch was at one time joined to the lochs of Barr and Kilbirnie. The New Statistical Account for 1836 refers to them as being united on occasions of great rainfall. A ferry was used until to cross the narrow channel between Castle Semple Loch and Barr Loch until 1735, when a wooden bridge was constructed. At this time Colonel William MacDowall deepened the outlet of Castle Semple Loch for two miles in length. This made it possible to obtain a hay crop from around the area of the Barr Loch. Estate Plan pre 1767 Castle Semple Loch History & Hydrology Last update 2017 tel 01505 842 882 www.clydemuirshiel.co.uk The Castle Semple Estate Plan, around 1767, shows that a drainage channel cut through the Barr Loch created meadows at Barr, Aird and Peel.
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  • History of Castle Semple Estate
    A History of the Semple Estate Acknowledgements This short history is essentially a chapter from the Conservation Statement & Management Proposals produced by Land Use Consultants (LUC) for Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park. This report was commissioned to inform future developments of SRANI (South Renfrewshire Access Network Initiative). The full report is available to download from the Park website at www.clydemuirshiel.co.uk. LUC wish to acknowledge substantial assistance from Dr Stuart Nisbet (Renfrewshire Local History Forum) and the local community. Figure 1: Historic sites and features in relation to the access network THE HISTORY OF THE SEMPLE ESTATE Figure 2: Timothy Pont’s map of around 1580, showing estate, Peel Tower and Elliston Castle (© NLS) Figure 3: Castle Semple Collegiate Church Introduction The Castle Semple Estate is, in many ways, a perfect microcosm of the processes that have shaped the landscapes of lowland Scotland since the medieval period. In addition to bearing the physical evidence of these processes, the high quality documentary record that accompanies the presence of such illustrious families allows episodes of building and landscape design to be tied in to the wider course of events in Scottish and world history. Early History Although the 1791-2 ‘Old’ Statistical Account of Scotland refers to the discovery of ‘canoes’ in Castle Semple Loch during drainage operations, and there are a number of prominent ancient monuments in the vicinity (most notably Walls Hill Iron Age fort, southeast of Howwood), no upstanding prehistoric sites survive on the estate. Given the intensive use of the estate lands for agriculture and the extensive settlement history of the area, it is unsurprising that such ephemeral sites do not survive.
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