Loch Thom, Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park

Start: Greenock Cut Visitor Centre (PA16 9LX) Grid ref. 247 721
Loch Thom can be walked clockwise or anti-clockwise. The route is marked in either direction with red and white way markers.

(S/E) From the car park follow the tarmac road past the fishery and up to Loch Thom Cottage.

(1) The cottage was once the accommodation for the water board staff responsible for the maintenance of the reservoir. Just across from the cottage is the memorial well built by members of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in 1914.
As you continue to walk up the hill along the gravel track, you’ll see a signpost pointing to the right signed ‘Old Largs rd’ along with a waymarker post.

(2) Follow the gravel path down to the northern end of Loch Thom through the gate and past the pump station.
The track will lead you to the Old Largs road.

(3) Turn right and follow the road along the eastern side of Loch Thom for 3.4 Km or so.

(4) At the southern end of Loch Thom take a right following the road back to the Greenock Cut Visitor Centre. (S/E)

Start: Greenock Cut Visitor Centre (PA16 9LX) Grid ref. 247 721
Loch Thom can be walked clockwise or anti clockwise.

Waymarkers: Route is marked in either direction with red and white way markers.

Terrain: A moderate route, mostly on tarmac roads and gravel paths.

Gates: There are two cattle grids and five gates.

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

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

Loch Thom was constructed by 1827 and was increased and expanded in 1872 to its modern-day capacity of 11365 million litres of water.
It was once owned by the Shaw Water Company but is now operated by Scottish Water. A direct pipe was installed to the Whinhill water treatment plant in 1971 rendering the Greenock Cut aqueduct obsolete. Loch Thom continues to provide drinking water for Greenock 200 years later!

Wildlife: Water fowl and gulls are a common sight with greater black gull nesting annually on the small island on the eastern side of the loch.