Johnshill Loop, Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park

Start : Castle Semple Visitor Centre, Lochwinnoch (PA12 4EA) Grid ref. NS 357 590

(S/E) From the Castle Semple Visitor Centre carry on past the building, take the lochshore path North-East along to Blackditch Bay.

(1) Turn left uphill past the benches to cross over the National Route 7 cycle track and enter Parkhill Wood.
Continue until you come to the Wildlife Sculpture junction.

(2) Turn left before the sculpture across the bridge and left again, almost making a U-turn to follow Central Track back through the middle of the wood.

(3) At the next trail junction carry straight on or detour downhill left slightly to see the Parkhill Pond and the Grotto. The central Track then comes to a Y-junction.

(4) Take the right hand fork downhill. Exit the wood crossing through the old estate wall and follow the path up through Johnshill Field Meadow. A short detour to the left takes in beautiful views across Castle Semple Loch.

(5) Exit Johnshill Field into the car park and then take a left down into Lochwinnoch village along B786.

(6) When you see the Corner Bar take the left turn and carry on under the bridge taking another left to return to the start. (S/E)

Start : Castle Semple Visitor Centre, Lochwinnoch (PA12 4EA) Grid ref. NS 357 590

Terrain: On whin dust trails and tarmac pavements. The wood can be muddy in places in wet weather and the lochshore path may be flooded.

Gates: 2 kissing gates on route.

Maps: OS Map 1:25000 Explorer 341 or 1:50000 Landranger 63

Find more walks and information at Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park website here.

Blackditch Bay Benches: The carved thrones feature the Semple Clan Coat of Arms and motto ‘Keep Tryst’. How many different creatures on the benches can you count? Take the opportunity to enjoy the walk through the Willow Tunnel.

Wildlife : Along the lochshore you can hear grasshopper warblers and see bumblebees feeding on comfrey and black knapweed later in the season. In springtime listen for woodpeckers in Parkhill Wood and in autumn search for scarlet elf cap fungus in the undergrowth.
At Johnshill, lookout for large red and common blue damselflies, small copper butterfly, common darter dragonflies patrolling around the field and basking in the sun on the path.

Meadow : The Johnshill Field is a native wildflower meadow created in 2009 by Johnstone High School and the Clyde Muirshiel Ranger Service. Annual meadow management is required; this includes scything and raking which is organised by our Countryside Rangers with help from Conservation Volunteers. It makes a wonderful habitat for our native pollinators.