The Clyde Sea Lochs Trail

Instead of following the crowd round Loch Lomond, try the Clyde Sea Lochs Trail and take in the majesty of the Firth of Clyde, the Gareloch and Loch Long.

From Coulport, once the site of a royal ferry to Ardentinny and now home to the Royal Navy’s Armaments Depot, head south, past Knockderry House Hotel and begin your tour around the Rosneath Peninsula or ‘Green Isle’.

Pass by Barbour cemetery situated high on the hillside and the last resting place of James Ballantyne Hannay, pioneer or the artificial production of diamonds. Head through the picturesque villages of Cove and Kilcreggan, and enjoy the magnificent Victorian mansions and architecture of William Leiper and Greek Thompson, amongst others that grace the seafront. In Kilcreggan you can still see the pier that was built in 1850 for ferries to Gourock which still run today. The Waverely paddle steamer also uses Kilcreggan Pier during its summer touring season.

Once you reach Garelochhead, you can see the oldest church still operation in the area and a plaque dated 1853 to commemorate the ‘Battle of Garelochhead Pier’ where a number of Sabbath fearing parishioners stopped local travellers from disembarking from the ferry on Sundays. Head out of the village towards the village of Rhu past Faslane Naval Base on your right, and head on to Helensburgh.

Helensburgh was founded in 1776 when Sir Ian Colquhoun had the seaside resort town constructed in the style of Edinburgh New Town, and named it after his wife Helen. There are many tea shops worth a visit but if you wish to break your journey it is worth visiting The Hill House, Charles Rennie MacIntosh’s magnificent house designed for the Blackie publishing family.

Leave Helensburgh behind and head up and out of the town towards the Glen Fruin road, which takes you through the lush glens above the town and the Clyde below. Here if you look closely is the Glen Fruin memorial cairn marking the site of the 1603 Battle between the Colqhouns and the McGregors. Following the hill down to the shore again will give you a stunning view of the Gareloch over Faslane. Take the main road back to the Faslane roundabout and return to the hotel via the main route over the hill to Coulport.

Should you wish you can extend your tour, take the A814 north. Follow the road along the side of the fjord-like Loch Long to Arrochar at the head of the loch, where you can continue on the Rest and Be Thankful road through the Arrochar Alps and onward to Dunoon or rejoin the Loch Lomond road returning via Luss and the A82.

A Day on the Clyde

You can take your own ferry journey to Dunoon by taking the passenger ferry from Kilcreggan Pier to Gourock and transferring to the car ferry to Dunoon which departs from the adjacent quay. The journeys across the Clyde on a beautiful day are simply the best way to appreciate the fabulous scenery of the local area.

On some days, the paddle steamer Waverley sails from Kilcreggan down the Firth of Clyde to Dunoon and the Kyles of Bute. The Waverley is the last sea-going paddle steamer in the world, its restoration having brought back the former glory of its magnificent funnels, timber decking and shiny brass fittings and varnished woodwork.

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Image Courtesy Undiscovered Scotland