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Unbelievably, it says a lot about this walk that for the last few years Alan and I skipped doing it in favour of every other kind of walk in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde.... and it was only due to the fact we were running out of more obvious walks that I even considered it. Alan gets a pass on this as he probably didn't know it existed but I was aware of it. I stumbled across it, almost by accident, over 20 years ago on a solo visit to Kilmacolm and although I enjoyed it- Walking from Kilmacolm over to Langbank then through the Finlaystone Estate, then back via Auchendores Reservoir and minor yellow roads to Kilmacolm again... I remembered the last bit back over the hills from sea level as a real knackering slog on a hot summers day. And if I found it hard then, at my fittest, any time I thought of doing it since then... I dismissed it in my mind as too much hard effort. How wrong can you be? Kilmacolm church, above.
Three of us on this walk. Alan. Alexander, and myself. We parked in Kilmacolm, ( a few small car park spaces exist in Kilmacolm: Station Road next to Carriages pub and restaurant, Barrs Brae, and one next to the High Street next to the children's play park) More car parking is available in a large layby on the A761 beside Knapps Loch. To find the right of way path go up the High Street then West Glen Road then Langbank Drive.
To our delighted astonishment we had picked just the right time of year ( June/July) for this walk which crosses an upland grassy plateau of scattered woods and meadows.
Carpets of rose bay willow herb turned it into a Wizard of Oz style landscape. ( The original film that is. Kansas/ South Dakota 1880s setting.) Also, and a surprise to me, various grass paths crisscrossed this landscape meaning circular 2 to 3 hour tours of this upland plateau became a reality. Either they weren't so noticeable back then, 20 years ago, did not exist, or I was completely focused on just getting to Langbank so didn't look for them. This time local dog walkers were out in force highlighting any distant tracks available off the main path so shorter walks are an option here
The pink thistles appeared to attract peacock butterflies the most and we counted dozens on the same patch. Good to see. Other varieties were available. But too speedy to capture.
Good camouflage as well when wings are folded feeding. To evade predatory birds moths and butterflies have evolved various tricks. Jerky flight, camouflage, false heads or large eye spots and instant invisibility. Wings folded or in flight both can drop instantly to the ground so fast you think they have disappeared completely. The trick is to move in very slowly, by inches, as this way you can get a photo or touch them without them being startled.
Or you just sit down and they come to you. This one takes an interest in my new rucksack. It appears to have a number on it. Either that or its markings make it seem like a number as that would be a very delicate though not impossible job carefully lettering every butterfly released. After over 35 years faithful service my old rucksack is now kaput and retired- too many holes appearing in it to repair. It's been up Mont Blanc though, Monte Pelmo, and dozens of other major European summit peaks. Rest well my fabric friend. We will not see your like again. In this world or the next.
The right of way path across the plateau to Langbank. Fortunately this time we did not need to descend down to Langbank as we found a balcony trail from the minor North Glen Farm road near the transmission mast.
This gave us views across to Barscube Hill, 195 metres (640 feet) We had lunch around here as this was where we turned back.
The minor road view of the Firth of Clyde. Rather than descending to sea level only to walk straight back up again, this new path started at this minor road stile and curved round the hillsides on the same contour level. A balcony trail. From here.
This grass path was also very easy to follow and gave stunning views over the Firth of Clyde Estuary. My kind of walk. Maximum beauty for minimum effort. A win win scenario.
Fields of sheep and Greenock from Knockmountain.
Looking towards Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park. Another sizable chunk of empty land, mostly high moor, pine forestry and remote grass summits.
Another Peacock butterfly.
We ended up returning to Kilmacolm by a different right of way path which lead us out onto Finlaystone Road near Old hall (Leperstone Road area) This entire walk was a delight and it wasn't over yet. Walking down through Kilmacolm was equally charming. Knapps Loch circular, Glen Moss, and Quarriers Village are also worthwhile walks in this area
A really enjoyable 3 hour walk filled with many bright splashes of vivid colour.
Kilmacolm village centre. Good range of independent shops here. Fishmonger, butcher, baker etc...many of whom have either disappeared from High Streets elsewhere or been incorporated into large supermarkets.
And as we were parked right beside the pub car park ( Station Road. 8am to 6pm free parking- limited spaces though for only around 10 cars here) we went in for a pint. This is a place we all knew well. Carriages Restaurant and Pub as it has an excellent sit out garden right beside the cycle track. The pub restaurant/ cycle track being the old railway station and disused railway line. The minor road network of Inverclyde and Renfrewshire being a lysergic dream for cyclists with so many different options on bike or foot. Hilly and superb.
These last two views showing the pub/ restaurant sit out area we were now happily sat in, comfy chairs taken with great pleasure, supping pints. Not for the drivers sadly. No alcohol for them. Seriously... can Heaven beat this?
Probably not.
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