This pleasant and easy circuit explores the reservoirs of Bishop's Glen and the tumbling Balgaigh Burn. It can also be walked from the centre of Dunoon by following signs west for Bishop's Glen.
Good surfaced paths, some steps and short steep sections.
None to start. Bus or ferry to Dunoon 1km from start.
Bishop's Glen car park, Dunoon.
Start from the parking area for Bishop's Glen where there is a map. From the far end of the car park take the path heading downhill. This soon crosses a small bridge and climbs up the far side - keep right where the path forks. After a short steep climb, the path levels off and passes through birch trees. At the next junction keep right again to follow a wider path.
Soon the outflow for the reservoir can be seen. Do not cross the bridge at the bottom but continue uphill until you reach the reservoir. This once served as the water supply for Dunoon until it was replaced by a pipeline from Loch Eck in the 1970's. Nowadays the Bishop's Glen reservoirs are used for fishing and as a home for numerous ducks and other birds, including the odd cormorant taking a break from the sea. Follow the path around the edge of the loch ignoring a gate which leads up to a track where longer forestry trails can be followed.
The path passes some large pines and then descends a flight of stairs to cross a bridge over a stream. Keep on the path slightly left at a fork - ignoring the right branch to bridge to the other side of the reservoir. The path climbs uphill; ignore another gate onto the forestry track, and eventually cross a small wooden bridge.
At the next junction bear left with a good view of the Balgaidh Burn to the right. The path continues upstream until a set of steps leads down to cross a bridge over the water. Cross this and follow the boardwalk to begin the walk back down the far side. This section of path has a couple of good viewing points for the Burn which passes through a ravine at this point.
When you reach the top of a flight of steps, turn right and descend. Do not cross the wooden bridge but stay on the left side of the Burn. Soon the larger bridge viewed earlier is reached - do not cross it but continue to the picnic area at the side of the water. From here keep on the main path which skirts the reservoir and eventually reaches the dam and the end of the road. Follow the road down past the dam wall and a house on the left. Follow the road back to the parking area at the start of the walk.
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