A wander around the Greenock Cut

Walk: Greenock Cut
Category: Walk
Height: n/a
Today was a pleasant short walk with the KOIR to the high level circular walk of the Greenock Cut. Mighty impressive views on a clear air day.
The walk starts at the visitor centre from where in good weather you really cannot get lost but beware this can be a very cold and remote spot in bad weather.

Hillside Hill

Today the wind was cutting at the start so layering completed. Normally I would ascend Hillside & Dunrod Hills first but the group was taking it easy today.
Immediately you have water on your right, principally Loch Thom, a stocked fishing water and the moorland beyond.

Memorial

We were walking anti clockwise and on our left a small war memorial at Loch Thom cottage, nicely done. I think this is in memorial to the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders who worked on the construction of the Cut.
As we descend slightly there are now great views over the Firth of Clyde where between Greenock and Helensburgh we spot the hull of the MV Captayannis, known as the ’Sugar Boat’, sunk in 1974. 

Weak rainbow

The forecast was good but the drizzle and sun combined to give us a short view of this weak rainbow.

Greenock and then Argyll hills

The walk gives tremendous views over the Argyll & Arrochar hills and as we turn west it includes Greenock which lies below.

Good track all the way

The Cut is a long aqueduct built to provide water from Loch Thom to Greenock but now in disuse as it has been replaced by a tunnel. It has now a Designated Ancient Monument. 

Is this an overflow?

As you walk round the many stone bridges over the aqueduct indicate how busy this place would have been.

Autumn colours 

After the Greenock views there are still golden autumn colours in the bracken and the now cleared site of IBM below.

Weir

The final stretch and the recent heavy rains have left plenty of water to cascade down this small weir.
Finally back to enjoy the warmth of the tearoom.
An excellent short walk for this time of the year.

Wildlife: Heron, Buzzard, Crow.
Time: 3.25
Ascent: 769ft
Distance: 7.41