The Greenock Cut tells Inverclyde’s story through its water landscape: it lies within the region’s historic water supply catchment and is also a 12-kilometre waymarked circular walking route. The area around the Greenock Cut Visitor Centre offers opportunities for walking, cycling and wildlife watching. The circular route provides a defined itinerary, while the surrounding area offers other ways to spend time outdoors.
Routes between the water landscape and the coast
At Lunderston Bay, sandy beach, coastal views and walking paths come together. Sustrans cycle route 75 also runs through the bay, between Gourock and Inverkip. Rangers from Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park offer activities here, including exploring rock pools and beach cleans; specific programmes may vary. Walks, the cycle route and guided nature activities offer different focuses, without necessarily forming a set programme.
Finlaystone Country Estate combines 500 acres of ancient woodland with mature gardens. Its woods are home to roe deer, foxes, grey squirrels and stoats, as well as three species of bird of prey and a large heronry. The combination of woodland, garden and wildlife gives a visit a different character from the open coastal landscape of Lunderston Bay.
At Gourock Outdoor Pool, too, two features go hand in hand: heated seawater and views across the Clyde estuary. Seasonal details may change, so check before your visit. Gourock Golf Club offers a heathland course with views over the River Clyde and the Argyllshire Hills. Both places pair outdoor activities with views of the landscape, but cater to different interests.
Discover heritage and art
In Greenock, the Watt Institution brings together the McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Watt Library, Inverclyde Archives and Watt Hall in a Category A listed building. The museum and art gallery display collections from many cultures and spanning 3,000 years of human history. The Wyllieum at Greenock Ocean Terminal is dedicated to the work and archive of Gourock artist George Wyllie. Gallery One presents contemporary art by international and award-winning artists throughout the year; its exhibition programme changes. Together, they span collections that tell a long story of human history and changing exhibitions of contemporary art.
Founded in 1801, Greenock Burns Club is recognised as the world’s first Burns Club. Its exhibition and archive at Custom House feature artefacts and books collected over many years. Group visits to the exhibition and archive can be arranged by appointment. The James Watt Heritage Trail offers a different perspective on cultural heritage, using augmented reality to share the story and achievements of James Watt.
There are several ways to explore Greenock independently. The Greenock Inspires Church Trail is a heritage walk that takes in churches in the town centre. The Greenock Town Trail is a circular walk through Greenock with 21 stops. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Heritage Museum displays historic fire engines and equipment; it is located in the former fire station on Dalrymple Street, within Greenock’s Municipal Buildings. Coronation Park is also home to the 10-metre-high stainless-steel figures of The Shipbuilders of Port Glasgow.
Experiences combining craft, flavour and water
At Ardgowan Distillery, a tour lasts 90 minutes and ends with a guided tasting of three Clydebuilt whisky expressions. Tour offerings may change; check the current arrangements in advance. Blackwoods Distillery offers tours and tastings, cocktail masterclasses and a gin distilling school where you can make your own gin. Those interested in traditional crafts can book blacksmithing experiences at Beltrees Forge, an active forge.
Clyde Charters’ boat trips vary in length and focus, including trips to the Sugar Boat in Greenock and day trips to Little Cumbrae. Fast RIB trips on the Firth of Clyde offer the chance to spot dolphins, seals, porpoises and various bird species; sightings are not guaranteed. Another trip lasts 2.5 hours and travels along the Clyde, passing docks, harbours and sights such as the shipwreck MV Captayannis, while also sharing local history. Trips and offerings may change, so check what is planned for your visit in advance.
Getting here and finding your way around
Inverclyde has 13 railway stations, with services from Glasgow Central or Paisley Gilmour Street: via Port Glasgow to Wemyss Bay and the ferry terminal for Rothesay, and via Greenock to Gourock. Train services and timetables may change, so it’s worth checking the latest times. Wemyss Bay railway station is a Category A listed building, rebuilt in 1903 to designs by James Miller and Donald Mathieson. A footpath connects the station to the ferry terminal. The ferry from Wemyss Bay goes only to Rothesay; check the current timetable before travelling.
Free walking guides and maps are available from brochure racks in public buildings and visitor attractions across Inverclyde. The availability of printed copies may change.
Discover more destinations: Greenock, Wemyss Bay, Inverkip, Gourock, City of Dundee, East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire, Glasgow.
For the main travel overview: Scotland.
