Loch Semple as it's locally known; gets it's name from the Semple family who lived in Castle Semple in the 1600's and ruled the town of Lochwinnoch together with another family. The Semple household owned the land around the Clyde Muirshiel nature reserve and constructed a Castle on the Northern Tip of the Loch and a white coloured Peel (Old Scottish word meaning Police) House diagonally across from it on the eastern side of the Loch known today as Lochside not to be confused with the restaurant nearby called The Loch House. Castle Semple is accessible by bicycle path or walkway. However since the Castle is currently privately owned; no visitors are allowed within the Castle parameters but you can see from the outside and also see the Old Kirk (Old Church) across the way from it from the bicycle path. History about the Semple family is still being discovered and it is said that they were not loved by the people of the time. Castle Semple was built with great engineering and the most futuristic sewerage system of it's time. On the South end of the Loch is Loch Bridge Road which becomes Loch Hall Road. Loch Bridge Road devide two bodies of water; Loch Semple and Barr Loch. When the rainfall is generous the two loch's can meet, flooding onto Loch Hall Road, obstructing the road to Kilbernie and Lochwinnoch from that end. Barr Loch has a smaller castle next to it called Barr Castle. The Castle Semple visitors centre is on the western side of the Loch Semple which has a cafe for light meals and hot and cold drinks. There is a historical map inside the cafe and a few other points of interests about the area. There is a bicycle renting and repair shop and sailboat facilities at the centre too. The car park is lovely to just park up and watch the view especially in cold weather with the sun out. I have noticed the odd campervan staying over night in the car park. There are electronic car charging facilities here too, ask for assistance if you need any. Their website has a few live streaming cameras which is good for checking the conditions before setting off or simply to spy on the swans. Watersports aren't allowed on the Loch at anytime as the Loch is a habitat for all kinds of wildlife mostly birds. On the eastern side of the Loch is the RSPB bird sanctuary featuring lovely look out points and amazing walkways which are wheelchair accessible. There are different species of birds and it is also inhabited by wild deer, foxes and badgers. There is a kids park and it's directed at families and lovely to walk your dogs. In winter after the snow has fallen; walking without a torch in the night is totally romantic as the moonlit snow crunches under your foot and halfway along the path is a Hand crafted bench with views of Lochwinnoch Town and the Clyde Muirshiel hills. When you reach the old railway bridge along the path that would be the point to Lochside. It too is currently privately owned. At the north end of the path is a tiny area which is also the furthest point of the main walkway. I have seen people fishing here and I don't have a problem with that myself but the pollution on that part is evident to the activity that happens there. Bottles, cans and rods. When I visited recently I spoke to two lads, they showed me a clip on their phone of the fish they caught and released earlier. Good size fish and there was a hook stuck in it's mouth from someone elses fishing expedition. Please folks leave the nature and park as you would wish to find it. Technically that guy saved that fish's life by removing the hook before releasing it. That said...There are lots of trash cans all around Castle Semple Loch but in the world we live we need to take our trash with us. Its easy to walk around the Loch no problem, totally flat. So great for all members of the family. Please take your trash when you leave the area and dispose of it in an environmentally friendly manner. Please like my review if it...
Read more
Learn more insights from Wanderboat AI.
