20 Attractions to Explore Near Windy Hill, Renfrewshire

Hill of Stake is a hill on the boundary between North Ayrshire and Renfrewshire, Scotland. The hill is 522 metres high and is the highest point of the relatively low-lying county of Renfrewshire and indeed the entire Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park of which it is a part, having a considerable Topographic isolation.

Duchal Castle was an extensive 13th century fortified site. The castle is naturally well defended on a piece of ground cut off steeply on the N and S by the confluence of the Green Water and the Blackwater burn. The castle stands at the bottom of the valley of the River Gryfe on a peninsula created by the Blacketty and Green Waters which have their confluence beyond the two deep gorges.

Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park is the collective name for areas of countryside set aside for conservation and recreation on the South Clyde estuary in Scotland. The park covers an area of 280 km2 of Inverclyde, North Ayrshire and Renfrewshire, stretching from Greenock in the north, down the coast to Largs and West Kilbride and inland to Dalry and Lochwinnoch. It consists of Castle Semple Loch and Collegiate Church, The Greenock Cut Centre, Muirshiel Country Park, Barnbrock Farm, Lunderston Bay,

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.

Glengarnock Castle is an example of a keep with courtyard attached, of the period 1400-1542, and with various later buildings in the courtyard. The Barony of Glengarnock is one of three feudal baronies which together form the parish of Kilbirnie in the district of Cunningham which lies in north Ayrshire. The River Garnock flows through the village of the same name 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) to the south, but the name Glen Garnock applies more specifically to the ravine at Glengarnock Castle.

This is an artificial loch in Kilmacolmhaving been created by a local angling club in the early 20th century. It is a lovely place for a peaceful walk.The Loch and the area around it is used for recreational activities and events in the village.

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.

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.

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.

Castle Semple is a former mansion house located in Renfrewshire, Scotland. It is situated near the eastern end of Castle Semple Loch, within Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park.

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.

The Gryffe Reservoirs are two reservoirs, known as Gryffe No. 1 and Gryffe No. 2, located in Inverclyde in the west central Lowlands of Scotland. The reservoirs are fed from a stream rising on Creuch Hill. Their outflow, the Gryffe Water, joins with the Green Water to form the River Gryffe near Kilmacolm. The reservoirs were completed in 1872 to provide clean drinking water to Greenock.

Kilbirnie Loch, is a freshwater Loch situated in the floodplain between Kilbirnie, Glengarnock and Beith, North Ayrshire, Scotland. It runs south-west to north-east for almost 2 km, is about 0.5 km wide for the most part and has an area of roughly 3 km2. It has a general depth of around 5.2 metres to a maximum of around 11 metres. The loch is fed mainly by the Maich Water, which rises in the Kilbirnie Hills near Misty Law, and is drained by the Dubbs Water that runs past the Barr Loch into Cast

Amagnificient hill which was located in the heart of the Inverclyde and it offers nice views from the top of the hill and also trekking is possible here.

Loch Thom is a reservoir which since 1827 has provided a water supply to the town of Greenock in Inverclyde. The loch is about 2.4 km from north to south, curving to the east in a rough C-shape.Today it is used for sport fishing and forms part of the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park with several attractive walks and a centre at Cornalees Bridge providing nature study facilities.Enjoy a circular walk around this lovely loch in the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park.

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.

Newark Castle is a well-preserved castle sited on the south shore of the estuary of the River Clyde in Port Glasgow, Inverclyde, Scotland. The original castle had a tower house within a walled enclosure or barmkin entered through a large gatehouse. All that remains of the outer defensive wall is from one of the original corner towers. For centuries this location was used to offload seagoing ships, and led to the growth of Port Glasgow close to the castle on either side and to the south.

Finlaystone is an 18th-century mansion with a rich history dating back to the 13th century.Tthere are soo many things to do and see in this area which paves light to the ancient history of this castle. It was the seat of the Earl of Glencairn until 1796, and is now the property of the Chief of Clan MacMillan. The house is protected as a category A listed building, and the grounds are included in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland.

Greenock Cut Visitors Centre is a scheduled monument with fantastic views and trails. Part of the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park. The Countryside Rangers provide an environmental education programme and offer advice about local walking and cycling routes and wildlife. Mobility scooters are available for FREE hire. The visitor centre is surrounded by moorland, at the start of several walks including Dunrod Hill with panoramic views of the Clyde and the Isles.

Formakin House, known locally as the Monkey House, was built in the early twentieth century by John Augustus Holms. The house is protected as a category A listed building, and other structures including the arched entrance gateway and bothy are category B listed. The grounds are included in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland, the national listing of significant gardens.