Ardgowan estate - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

Wemyss Bay is a rock and shingle beach, looking south over the bay of the same name and across the upper Firth of Clyde to the wild countryside of the surrounding area. It is the port for ferries on the Sea Road to Rothesay on the Isle of Bute. Passengers from the island can connect to Glasgow by trains, which terminate in the village at the remarkable Wemyss Bay railway station, noted for its architectural qualities and regarded as one of Scotland's finest railway buildings.

Ardgowan House is a Grade 1 listed Palladian Country Mansion wedding venue located in Inverkip near Glasgow on the coast. It has been held by the Stewart family since the early 15th century: towards the end of that century, their tower house Ardgowan Castle was built within the site of the previous Inverkip Castle fortress. The present house was erected in 1797 and completed in 1801 from designs by Cairncross.

Lunderston Bay is the nearest sandy beach to Glasgow, and is popular with families, walkers and picnickers. There are picnic areas and a wheelchair accessible playground at the north end of the bay, where a Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park ranger station, toilets and a car park are also located. There are lifebuoy stations at the beach, but there are no lifeguards.

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.

The Cloch is one of the three lighthouses built to protect the difficult waters at the head of the Firth of Clyde. The lighthouse was built by Kermack and Gall; it consists of a short, round tower with corbelled walkways, and it is now accompanied by two sets of keepers' houses. The earlier houses are used as stores and the later are easily identified by their crowstepped gables. Today, the light is fully automated and unmanned.

Castle House Museum is amajestic historic building set in gardens opposite Dunoon Pier. The Castle House itself was built by Lord Provost James Ewing of Glasgow in 1822. Exhibits, models and photographs tell the story of Dunoon from the Neolithic to the present day. Find out about the Clyde steamers, yacht building, Cowal during the war and more. It was now one of the iconic attractions in this area and attracts a lot of tourists.