We are the Glasgow Ramblers. If you enjoy walking or want to give it a try come and join us.
Marjory A.
This scenic coastal walk along the Firth of Clyde begins at Battery Park, formerly a coastal defence site, and follows the shoreline through historic Cardwell Bay to Gourock Pierhead at Kempock Point, offering stunning views across the water. From there, it continues through Gourock train station and along the seafront promenade, passing the iconic saltwater pool and the Royal Gourock Yacht Club. The path then follows Cloch Road past the Western Ferries terminal to Cloch Lighthouse, with panoramic views over Holy Loch and Loch Long.
Approximately five miles in, the route reaches Lunderston Bay, part of Clyde Muirshiel Park, offering a beach, picnic areas, and public facilities—an ideal lunch stop. Just across the road lies Cardwell Garden Centre, with a nearby bus stop providing easy return travel to Glasgow. Beyond Lunderston, the trail passes fields into Ardgowan Woods, once part of the historic Ardgowan Estate, before arriving at Kip Marina—Scotland’s first marina and a lively hub for sailing and waterfront activity.
A little further on, at about eight miles, Inverkip, a historic maritime village with a train station, offers a further convenient exit point. Continuing onward, the path passes Inverkip Yacht Club, one of Scotland’s oldest, and the village war memorial, then briefly follows the main road. Afterwards, the route passes the site of the former Inverkip Power Station—once the tallest free-standing structure in Scotland—decommissioned in 2006 and demolished by 2013. From there, the trail climbs gently toward North Lodge.
The walk concludes in Wemyss Bay at the striking Edwardian station, a Grade A listed building famed for its sweeping glass and steel design. With ferry connections to Rothesay, regular trains back to Glasgow, and on-site amenities including a pub, café, and toilets, it’s the perfect place to unwind after the walk.
The walk is mostly flat, following promenades and pavements. Some sections are shared with cyclists, and there may be occasional uneven areas along the shoreline. Comfortable footwear is recommended for the distance. There are many public toilets along the route.
If you’d like to join the walk, please contact Marjory, by email or text no more than two weeks in advance (from Saturday 28th June). When booking, please also provide a mobile number in case of any last-minute changes.
There will be three stops along the way for snacks and lunch, and at the end of the walk, there’s a pub and cafe right in the station.
Meet Marjory and Louise outside M&S Simply Food in Glasgow Central Station at 9:15am, ready to catch the 9:35am Gourock train to Fort Matilda.The return train from Wemyss Bay is on a different line so please take that into account when purchasing tickets. Toilets are available on the train.
