Greenock Cut, Inverclyde

Summary

This classic circuit climbs over moorland, dotted with reservoirs, before heading along the Greenock Cut - a historic aqueduct which once kept the industries of Greenock supplied with water. The route gives stunning views over the Clyde estuary towards the Highlands.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Good tracks over the moor, then level footpath along the cut.

Getting there

Start

Greenock Cut Visitor Centre, Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park.

Public Transport

Direct hourly train from Glasgow Central takes 35min to Drumfrochar Station, 5 minutes walk from the route at stage 3.

Start Grid Ref

NS247721

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 11.5km / 7.25 miles
Time: 2.5 - 3 hours
Ascent: 180m (Profile)

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Explorer 341 - Greenock

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Walk Description

User reports (16)

Stage 1

Leave the visitor centre car park and turn left past the fishing cafe, passing through a gate and along the track heading through a gate to reach the broad track that leads NNE, with the Compensation Reservoir on your right. Below the grassy dam of Loch Thom, take the main track which climbs left, passing a derelict cottage. Further on is a memorial well commemorating the use of the loch in training for troops headed for the trenches in the first world war. The track continues uphill, with views over the extensive waters of Loch Thom.

Stage 2

Ignore a footpath off right and a track off left, climbing over a low moorland pass. As the descent begines the Clyde estuary comes into view ahead, seen over a further group of reservoirs. Ignore a track off left and pass below reservoir no.6; here ignore another track coming in from the right. Eventually the Waterman's Cottage at Overton is reached; here turn left to begin the walk along the Greenock Cut itself.

Stage 3

The Greenock Cut is a 6.5km long aqueduct built in the 19th Century. It carried water from Loch Thom reservoir to the industries along the Clyde, and supplied drinking water to Greenock. It was in use until 1971, and was designated an Ancient Monument in 1972. Although not all the cut still contains water, a restoration project in 2007 opened it up as a fine walking route with a good level path alongside it. Turn left to follow this path. There are superb views over Greenock and the Clyde, with Helensburgh on the far side and the hills of the Highlands beyond.

Stage 4

There are old bridges, the remains of bothies, sluice gates and other features to see, but it's the view that remains the main attraction as the path continues by the cut, with many twists and turns as it contours the hillsides. As the Cut turns more southwards, there are views to the islands of Bute and Arran.

Stage 5

The path eventually turns southeast across the slopes of Dunrod Hill. Protected from the grazing sheep that keep the moors bare, the Cut has become richly vegetated, with some native woodland regenerating; a real haven for wildlife. Eventually it meets the minor road at Shielhill Farm. Go straight across the road and follow the path to Shielhill Glen. Eventually the path reaches a bridge and sluice gates, turn left to cross the bridge, go through the gate and up the path to the road opposite the Visitor Centre.

Route Profile

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