Castle Semple - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

Castle Semple Collegiate Church is located in Renfrewshire, Scotland. It is situated near the eastern end of Castle Semple Loch, within Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, and 2 miles west of Howwood on the B787, then on to the B776. The late Gothic church is under the protection of Historic Environment Scotland as a Scheduled monument.

Castle Semple Loch is a 1.5-mile-long inland freshwater loch at Lochwinnoch in Renfrewshire, Scotland. Originally part of an estate of the same name, it is now administered by Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park as a watersports centre. An RSPB bird sanctuary is located on the loch's southern shore. The ruins of the early mediaeval Peel Tower stand on the southern shore of the loch at Air Meadow, inaccessible except by boat.

Lochwinnoch is the perfect place to watch whooper swans. wigeon and a wide varity of ducks during winter months. In spring you wont want to muss the elaborate displays of the great crested grebes. The reserve has an outdoor natural play area, an accessible trail and runs events suitable for the whole family as well as daily drop-in kids activities, pond dipping and bug hunting.

Barr Castle is located near the village of Lochwinnoch. The castle was a four storey tower house, with the main hall was on the first floor, accessed via a turnpike stair. The chambers were in the upper floors. The castle is now in ruins, and the gable ends of the castle have collapsed. There is little remaining of the courtyard.

Weaver’s Cottage vividly re-creates the living and working conditions of a typical handloom weaver. With low ceiling beams and period furniture, it helps give an insight into life before the Industrial Revolution. The property has an attractive garden, where traditional dye plants including woad and madder are grown, along with a wide range of cottage garden plants.

Thomas Shanks Park is named after a leading industrialist of the nineteenth century who owned a company of heavy machine toolmakers, Thomas Shanks and Company. The park contains play areas, a skateboard ramp and two grass football pitches.