This short walk explores the fine Victorian resort town of Rothesay and includes a climb up to Canada Hill viewpoint.
Minor roads with short section on good track.
Rothesay is served by buses as well as the Calmac Ferry from the mainland.
Rothesay town centre.
Begin from the Winter Garden on the waterfront at the heart of Rothesay. This wonderful piece of 1920s Art Nouveau steel-and-glass architecture has been saved from demolition and is now the Tourist Information Centre as well as a cinema and, as it was originally, a concert hall. Start by heading up Tower Street, directly opposite, heading straight across the cross-roads to reach the castle.
Rothesay Castle, still protected by its moat, dates back to 1200. It was captured by the Vikings in 1228 and subsequently changed hands repeatedly until the final defeat of the Vikings at the Battle of Largs. Today it is managed by Historic Scotland and is open to the public, accessed across a drawbridge. To continue the walk turn left, following the railings round to the right onto High Street and then turn left onto Castle Street, dominated by the imposing former Sheriff Court.
Cross Mount Pleasant Road and continue straight ahead onto the Serpentine, a grassy park which a road continues to climb in a long series of zig-zags - the walker can bypass these by climbing the steps over to the right instead. There are great views back over the town and its bay; further up the steps end and the route continues along the winding road uphill.
At Lanerly Garth a route goes off to the left heading for Skipper Wood (marked on OS maps as Bogany Wood); this provides an alternative for those who do not want to head for the top of Canada Hill. Otherwise, continue up the road, turning left onto a larger one that immediately bends right again.
Continue until the road swings sharply left with a gate directly ahead. A footpath sign indicates 'Canada Hill' straight on through the gate; for the short detour to the viewpoint, go through the gate and up the track which crosses a golf course. There are great views over Loch Asgog to the mountains of Arran.
The track passes an old viewpoint indicator (just on the left), and further on a bench looking down the Firth of Clyde, past the islands of Great and Little Cumbrae to the sea. Canada Hill is so named as historically families rushed to this point to watch the boats carrying their departing relatives to new lives overseas. Continue along the track downhill, passing through a gate. The track now forks - take the left branch, eventually leading back to the minor road. Now turn right along this; as the road descends there are excellent views over Skipper Wood to the far side of Rothesay Bay and to the mountains of Cowal beyond. Continue down the road, passing the far end of the bridleway through Skipper Wood mentioned earlier.
Further down the road a choice can be made. A footpath (signed 'Woodland Walk') heads off left through the woods to emerge back in Rothesay Town Centre and provides an alternative end to the walk. Others will prefer to head for the seafront by continuing down the road, going straight ahead at the metal barriers to reach the seafront at Bogany Point. Turn left along the front, with fine views of the ferries heading in and out of the bay as well as the many fine seafront buildings. At one point there is a beautiful wooden shelter on the right that just demands a brief rest.
Further on, pass beneath the magnificent Glenburn Hotel and the characterful Glendale Guest House before finally returning to the ferry terminal and the Winter Gardens. One last place that should not be missed by male visitors are the Victorian Toilets over to the right - an architectural marvel. The Ladies, on the other hand, are modern - the Victorians apparently seeing no need to cater for the fairer sex.
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