Castle Semple Loch

Our first outdoors activity this year took a few of us (the weather was a bit cold and dreary) over to Castle Semple Country Park at Lochwinnoch.

Castle Semple Country Park is part of the larger Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, Scotland's largest regional park, which was created in 1970.

A photo of a group of men, standing in front of a freshwater loch.

The visitor centre cark is only about 10 miles from Neilston so, with a large free car park, a decent-sized café, largely very flat walking with lots of seats along the way - it's an ideal venue for a group of grumpy old men to go for a walk and a natter.

The park is also popular with cyclists and water sports enthusiasts and I'm assuming that it's what East Renfrewshire Council is hoping to copy with the development of the Dams to Darnley Country Park, some of which can be seen here:

A photo of a pair of Greylag Geese and a Jackdaw.

Greylag Geese (and a Cheeky Jackdaw)

A photo of three men walking along a lochside path.

Bringing Up The Rear

A photo of some young Mute Swans.

Young Mute Swans

It was a bit late to see much of the over-wintering birdlife but there were a few still here so, as Thomas had brought some seeds for the birds, he fed the very-approachable Mute Swans, Greylag Geese and Mallards at the visitor centre.

Once the seed ran out, so did the birds 

A photo of a man walking away from a group of birds he had been feeding.

Thomas, having run out of seed for the birds!

Once the feeding frenzy was over, we ambled off for a short walk along the loch-side, then back via National Cycle Route 7, which used to be part of the railway track bed on the now-defunct Dalry and North Johnstone Line on the Glasgow and South Western Railway.

The walk was just over two kilometres but going further would have meant going round the Parkhill Wood Circuit, and with the weather being a bit cold, we headed back to the café for our own feeding frenzy.

Maybe once the weather improves, well get around to the woodland walk but not today - hot tea and coffee beckoned. ☕

A photo of some wooden benches with wildlife carvings.

Carved Wooden Benches

A landscape photo of a freshwater loch under a very grey and cloudy sky.

A Bleak-looking Castle Semple Loch

A photo of a man throwing seeds to a group of birds.

The "Birdman"

The visitor centre café was a welcome refuge from the cold and we were all soon ensconced within, clutching mugs of hot tea and coffee and a snack to warm us up.

Thanks to the welcoming staff for not batting an eyelid when eleven of us piled in for refreshments.

A photo of a group of men, standing in front of a freshwater loch.

If you fancy a visit to Castle Semple Country Park, then you'll find all the information you need on their web site:

…and you'll find a fair bit of background information and history about it here: