A short, easy walk around a small penisula in the Firth of Clyde. Excellent views with seal and bird watching opportunities.
Narrow path, can be very muddy at times
Bus on A814 from Helensburgh or Dumbarton stops at road end at Lyleston Cottage.
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Ardmore Point car park, off A814. Map and directions.
Ardmore Point is reached by turning off the A814 south east of Helensburgh at Lyleston Cottage and following the minor road over the level crossing to a small parking area at the shore. From here there is a fabulous view across the Clyde estuary with many wading birds here at low tide. Start the walk by heading towards the cottage and very soon turning right onto a grassy path between fenced fields.
At the shore turn left to follow the path around the edge of the headland. From here the view is directly across to Helensburgh with the old stone fish trap visible across the small bay at low tide. Further away there are views of the Arrochar Alps and the mountains on the east side of Loch Lomond in the distance.
The path keeps near the shore with gorse bushes and muddy conditions sometimes making the path hard going. In spring and summer the combination of bright yellow gorse flowers, red sandstone and bluebells make a colourful display. As the headland is rounded there are views across the Clyde to Greenock.
Grey seals can often be seen basking on rocks just off the shore on this section. These rocks were formed 375 million years ago when the area was an arid desert. Since then the rocks have folded and been eroded leaving rocks from different eras exposed in stripes on the foreshore. The hillock behind in the centre of the peninsula is actually a cliff from when the sea level was much higher so the area you are walking on is an ancient raised beach.
The white castellated front of Ardmore House can be seen up on the left as the path continues along a short section of sea wall passing the lodge house to return to the start. The area is managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust as a nature reserve and the mud flats are known for oystercatchers, curlews, sandpipers, redshank and other waders and seabirds.
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Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is each walkers' responsibility to check it and navigate using a map and compass.
