welcome to ardgowan estate€¦ · welcome to ardgowan estate welcome we gladly welcome you to...

WELCOME TO ARDGOWAN ESTATE

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WELCOME TO ARDGOWAN ESTATE

WelcomeWe gladly welcome you to Ardgowan Estate - a registered Inverclyde heritage site and designated place of outstanding natural beauty. Open throughout the year, and free of charge, Ardgowan is a haven for walkers, joggers, cyclists and all outdoor enthusiasts.

Long before legislation made it mandatory we have been proactive and positive in our attitude towards encouraging informal public access. However as footfall increases, so do the burdens associated with it - so where you can, please do your bit in helping us keep Ardgowan a clean, safe and people friendly environment for everyone to enjoy.

Although the house and the gardens are closed to the public they are available for private hire for overnight accommodation, dinners, drinks receptions, photo shoots, filming, conferences and weddings. Please visit our website www.ardgowan.co.uk for more information or contact the Estate Office on [email protected] or 01475 521 656.

The EstateSteeped in history and romance, Ardgowan is an enchanting ten thousand acre Scottish Country Estate situated on the banks of the River Clyde on the west coast of Scotland.

Located in the central belt, just 30 minutes from Glasgow Airport, 45 minutes from Glasgow city centre, 55 minutes from Prestwick Airport and 90 minutes from Edinburgh city centre, Ardgowan benefits from the rare combination of privacy and accessibility.

With an abundance of wildlife, sea life, flora and fauna, as well as a number of historical points of interest, the Estate makes for a great day out with all the family. For those interested in exploring the Estate’s rich history, please visit the History and Tours pages on our website.

Keep an eye on our Facebook page facebook.com/ardgowan.estate for news about upcoming indoor and outdoor events happening on the Estate.

GuidelinesThe Estate is a great place to enjoy but it is also a working environment so please exercise your access rights responsibly and be aware of other land users and land management requirements. Please obey any signs that you see – a road closed will be for good reason such as tree felling or an activity that puts you at risk.

Please use roads, paths, gates and stiles provided – please do not stray into woods and fields and adhere to the country code of closing all gates behind you.

Dogs are very welcome on the Estate but please keep them on a lead at all times. Please pick up your dog’s waste - there are dog litter bins by the Laird’s Dyke and the Inverkip Footbridge by the South Gate Entrance. Please respect the privacy of the residents on the Estate The Estate is not a through road and vehicular access is restricted only to authorised vehicles only.

Motorbikes, scramblers and off-road vehicles are not permitted on the Estate.


A Guide To The ESTATE: INTRODUCTION

The GroundsJames Ramsay, the Scottish equivalent of Capability Brown, laid out the beautifully landscaped 400-acre parkland in 1797. He produced a fashionable design in the informal style popularised in Scotland by Thomas White Senior, with curving drives, contrived viewpoints and ribbons of planting. It still, to this day, retains its original form as well as a number of its original features, such as picturesque roundels of trees and Ha-Has in the so-called Ditches Park.

Climate & CultivationSince the implementation of its design, generations of the family have taken a keen interest in the cultivation of the park. It was customary amongst the family to plant trees to mark important events. The high rainfall and mild temperatures, associated with this Gulf Stream climate, have proved a fertile breeding ground for an unusual and exotic array of flora and fauna, and many of these historical plantings can still be seen - each with their own story.

Trees in the EstateOn your travels you will see a rich and varied selection of trees in and around the Estate, from ancient, indigenous, native hardwoods such as Oak, Birch and Ash through to their more exotic, fast-growing, softwood cousins, such as Sitka Spruce, Corsican Pine and Japanese Larch. There are also an array of ornamental shrubs and several unique species of rhododendron, planted by Lady Octavia - Ardgowan is a welcome haven for sylvaculturists.

Colourful FlowersThroughout the year the ever-changing woodlands are matched only in colour by the carpet of wildflowers on the Estate such as daffodils, crocuses, primroses and snowdrops. Ardgowan has become justly famouse for the millions of snowdrops that carpet the Estate each year, heralding in spring. They were planted by Frances Colhoun, Sir John’s wife, and although little is known about her, our annual snowdrop day in aid of local charities, keeps her name alive.

The WildlifeThis natural habitat has become home to a startling array of woodland creatures such as hares, badgers and foxes. If you’re lucky you might be able to photograph the deer that roam the park, however you must be quick as they will be gone as quickly as they appeared. Each day the dawn is welcomed in by a chorus of songbirds. On your travels you will likely see Herons, Eider duck, Kingfishers, Buzzards, Oyster Catchers, Curlews, and Woodpeckers. There are also minibeasts galore visible only to the eagle-eyed.

The Surrounding AreaKnown locally as the ‘gateway to the western highlands’, this area of Scotland is famed for the beauty and variety of its landscape. The House itself, designed to exploit the natural topography to its best effect, commands superb views across the Clyde towards Arran, Bute and the Cowal Peninsula with the rugged Goatfell range prominent. This area in particular is renowned for its history, scenery, seafood, fine meats, crafts and its whisky.


A Guide To The OUTDOOR SIGHTSArdgowan HouseBuilt between 1797 and 1801 by Robert Adam’s Clerk of Works at Culzean, Hugh Cairncross, the grade A listed building is typically Palladian in style with a pedimented central block and link wings leading to pavilions. It is the only country house ever built by Cairncross. William Burn and Robert Lorimer carried out subsequent improvements. To learn more about the history of the family and the house, see the Guided Tours page of our website.

The ChapelBuilt by John Henderson in 1854 in the Perpendicular Gothic Revival style, the chapel was originally connected to the house by a corridor and was exclusively used by the family and Estate staff. ‘The minister’s walk’ marks the route of the minister’s journey home to his vicarage across the road. The chapel fell into ruin after the war.

Japanese GardenIn the 19th century azaleas were being imported in bulk to Scotland, as they were considered exotic on account of their colour. This, combined with interest in the Orient, led to a cultivated Victorian fashion for decorative, ornamental themed gardens. Alongside azaleas, you will find other exotic species such as Persian ironwoods, salmonberry, yew and rhododendrons. The Japanese Garden also incorporated a grotto and a picturesque path system cut into the hill, which have become overgrown by native trees.

North GateTraditionally the lodgings of the gamekeeper, North Lodge was built in 1797 as a gatehouse on the northern approach which connected the Estate to Gourock via the coast road. This area of the Estate was also where the laundry and washing houses were located, on the site of what is now Lunderston House.

The Waulkmill FieldsTwo lost villages of Netherton and Milltown appear here on the earliest plans. The Waukmill fields are so called because their use for ‘waulking’ in the medieval times, a process of thickening material often done in close proximity to a water source, in this case the Kip. The fields are split by the ‘Castle Drive’, which marks the original medieval approach to the Castle.

The StablesBuilt in 1801 as offices, this is one of only a few stable blocks in Scotland that is a quadrangle with a clock tower. Following a fire in the 1840s, an upper storey was added to the quadrangle to create flats, which are now available to rent. Alongside the stables is a Cattle Byre – each morning a milkmaid would take the milk up the steep ‘Dairy Brae’ on a shoulder yoke to the House Dairy where it would be made into butter, cream and cheese. The Byre is now a converted stableblock available for horse livery – see our website for details.

Golden GardensThe Golden Gardens were planted as a gift from the Estate workers in 1933 on the occasion of the Golden Wedding Anniversary of Sir Hugh and Lady Alice. All the plants that were chosen are golden when in leaf.

BridgendA settlement on this site appears on the earliest plans (1680s). The current arrangement of terraced cottages was built in the 1860s to house Estate workers. This development incorporates an earlier Bothy/toll house to guard the Inverkip Bridge, along which the main road used to run parallel to the A78. These cottages are now available to rent.

The ParklandLandscaped in just 4 years, Ramsay winched fully mature trees into position to meet the tight planting deadlines and rerouted the River Kip through the Park to maximise its picturesque appeal.

The Laird’s DykeSmugglers used this cove in the 18th century for the illegal importation of tobacco and sugar to circumvent excise taxes applicable down the coast. Contraband was then stored in the Shielhill Glen caves. The dyke was built at the beginning of the 19th century to moor the family yacht, “The Cavalier”. The remains of a bathing house are still visible on the shore. Ferry Tenders for the passing Paddle Steamers used the Dyke until the Glasgow to Wemyss Bay Railway opened in 1865.

American GardenAs a means of adding variety to the landscape, it was a Victorian fashion to plant non-indigenous species of trees often arranged by country of origin. This arboretum of American species was planted in the late 19th century by Lady Octavia and includes Californian redwoods and American Sitka spruce.

Crowhill WoodAn ancient beech plantation and the likely site of the 1304 Battle of Inverkip. In the 1850s paths were laid out leading from Ardgowan House through the woods. Two summerhouses were built along these paths, but both were lost during the Second World War.

Grey Lady’s WalkA strange place where birds rarely sing, so called because a shadowy figure said to be the apparition of a grey lady has been sighted and photographed here. Please let us know if you capture her on camera!

Ditches ParkRamsay introduced Haha’s along the lower walk creating the so-called Ditches Park. Haha’s were a means of containing livestock without impeding views. The name is derived from the amusing moment of discovery when a vertical drop suddenly becomes visible.

Elizabeth’s GraveA memorial to mark the favourite walk of Elizabeth, beloved wife of Sir Guy Shaw Stewart, 10th Bt. who died in 1968.

The CairnSituated high on the bank amidst the undergrowth is the remains of a Cairn, reputedly built to mark the spot from which Robert the Bruce fired the decisive arrow in the 1314 Battle of Inverkip, killing the Castle’s commander and ending English occupation.

Ardgowan CastleVisible from Lady Octavia’s walk, the 15th century stone tower is all that remains of a much larger complex with formal gardens. An 11th century wooden tower, used to ward off Vikings, preceded it. The castle became a flashpoint in the Wars of Independence and Robert the Bruce fought here twice, firstly in 1304 on the side of the attacking English and secondly in 1314 as King of Scotland, ending ten years of English occupation.

Kip MarinaThe oldest Marina in Scotland! The mouth of the River Kip was excavated by Army Reserves in the 1940s to store barges; Kip Marina was then built in the 1960s - it has 600 berths, full amenities, a restaurant and a bar.

Historic Walled GardensA feature of Ramsay’s original designed landscape, this 3.5-acre lozenge shaped kitchen garden had white gravel pathways and produced exotic fruit, vegetables and flowers on an industrial scale. Revolutionized by the arrival of ‘Cabbage Broon’, the gardener from Eaton Hall, who lived in the Gardener’s Cottage, the walled garden used to yield enough produce to supply the markets in Covent Garden via an overnight train.


A Guide To The JUBILEE Paths

The Blue Jubilee TrailBlue dashed line on the map.Circular path, 1 .8km / 1 .1 miles, 40 minsMixture of road and path. Stout shoes recommended. Lady Octavia Walk can be muddy. Easy and flat the whole way .

DirectionsLaunched to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the Blue Trail is for the more adventurous, requiring stout footwear to navigate the muddy tracks. Starting at the south end of the Estate, the trail takes in the Stable Block, the remains of the Walled Garden, the Japanese Garden on the bank, as well as affording the best views of the castle ruin.Starting from Kip Marina, walk north along the West Drive. After passing the Stables, take the path on the left which will take you behind the Stables and into the woodland. You will pass the remains of the Historical Walled Garden on your left. Follow the track until you reach a junction; take the left fork, keeping the Manor Kingdom development on your right. This road will take you back to the West Drive.

The White Jubilee TrailWhite dashed line on the map. Circular path, 2.1km / 1 .3 miles, 50 minutesMixture of road and path. Stout shoes recommended.Easy with gradual hill (on road - East Drive toWest Drive).

DirectionsLaunched to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the White Trail is more forgiving on the feet, mainly following the tarmac drives on the Estate. This trail follows the old Wauk Mill Road to the Eastern gateway and up the main drive affording the best views of the parkland and the house. Starting from Kip Marina, walk north along the West Drive, take the first right on to Castle Drive and then left along Waukmill Drive. At the East Gate, follow the East Drive up the hill, Ardgowan House will gradually come into view. At the junction just before the house, turn left down the hill and follow the West Drive back towards Kip Marina.

left Grey Lady’s Walkright Private Garden

left Ardgowan Castle

right Kip River


Other paths in Ardgowan EstateTracks/paths are yellow solid lines. Roads are grey solid lines.We recommend that appropriate footwear is worn as the paths can be muddy/wet in all seasons.

Beach Path A mixture of flat track and path. Can be muddy. Leads to a beautiful sandy beach to the south and a rocky shoreline to the North. If it very wet, an alternative route is via the Manor Kingdom Development. There are signposts for the path to the beach and National Route 753. Look out for the old Summer House by the Laird’s Dyke causeway.

Grey Lady’s Walk A hilly woodland path. Can be muddy. Narrow, sloping paths link it to the Lower Walk Path.

Gallop Path A hilly woodland track. Can be muddy.

Lower Walk Path A flat woodland track (except for a short, steep incline near Laundry Path). Can be very muddy.

Upper Walk Path A high level track with great views. Can be muddy.

Lady Octavia Walk A flat woodland track. Can be muddy.

North Drive A flat track. Normally quite dry underfoot.

Laundry Path An uneven, narrow path with an incline. Can be wet.

Minister’s Walk A path with an incline. Can be muddy.

Castle Drive and Waukmill Drive Flat tracks with good views across the parkland.

West and East Drives Roads. West is flat until stables, East has an incline.

Please note that the areas to the front and rear of Ardgowan House are private gardens.

National Route NR753 (Coastal)Red solid line on the map. Approx. 5.5km/3.5 miles from McInroy’s Point, Gourock to Inverkip. For longer options, see below.Mixture of pavement and multi-user surfaced path. Easy and flat the whole way from Gourock to Inverkip.

NR753 OverviewThe National Cycle Network (NCN) and the National Route (NR) are safe, traffic-free paths/quiet pavement routes that connect to every major town in the UK. The Network stretches over 14,000 miles and is popular with cyclists, walkers, joggers, wheelchair users and horse riders. See www.sustrans.org.uk for further information.NR 753 runs for roughly 3.5 miles from Inverkip to McInroy’s Point, Gourock where it meets NCN75 which then runs for 114 miles, passing through Glasgow and ending in Edinburgh. The route between Inverkip and Greenock is on the beautiful coastline of the River Clyde, except for a few short areas.

NR753 Transport Links There are train stations on/very near the routes at Inverkip, Gourock, Fort Matilda, Greenock Central, and Cartsdyke (Greenock). www.scotrail.co.ukBuses run along the routes www.mcgillsbuses.co.uk There is parking along the route: car parks are available at Gourock and Lunderston Bay; on-street parking is available in Gourock and Inverkip.

Paths WITHIN THE ESTATE & The NATIONAL ROUTE NR753

top to bottom:Elizabeth’s Grave;The Snowdrops;Ardgowan Chapel.

Beach at Marina


By RoadLocated just 90 minutes from Edinburgh city centre and 45 minutes from Glasgow city centre, Ardgowan is well served by the M8 motorway system as well as a number of other arterial roads, making it easily accessible by road. A PDF of driving instructions can be downloaded from our website.

For those with satnav, our address is: Ardgowan Estate, Inverkip, PA16 ODW, Scotland

Please note that for recreational visitors, there is no parking available within the Estate. Parking is available in Inverkip (0.3 miles), at Kip Marina (next to Estate) and at Lunderston Bay (0.7 miles via coastal trail/pavement/bus).

By Public TransportArdgowan is well serviced by a network of west coast trains and buses. The nearest train station is Inverkip, 0.6 miles away, which affords direct access by foot into the Estate via the A78 footbridge by the Kip Marina South Gate Entrance. However this station is unmanned and taxis have to be prebooked. The closest stations with taxi ranks are Wemyss Bay, 2.7 miles away, Gourock Station 5.4 miles away however the quickest way, in terms of roads is Greenock West Station, 5.8 miles away which has a taxi rank in the car park opposite the station exit. Approximate journey cost by taxi is £15.

By WaterBeing on the coast, Ardgowan has easy access to and from the Islands and Western Highlands by ferry, with terminals at Wemyss Bay (2.2 miles), Largs (9.3 miles) and McInroy’s Point (3.8 miles). If travelling by foot, taxis will need to be booked for collection. Please check that your chosen terminal goes to your destination. Timetables are available at the Estate office.

With the Marina on our doorstep, by the south gate entrance, boats can be chartered and private yachts can dock and be moored easily.

Transport Contact DetailsRail - www.scotrail.co.uk

Bus - www.mcgillsbuses.co.uk

Taxis Eddie’s Taxi’s - 07854 015 533 Inverclyde Taxis - 01475 888 888

Boat McInroy’s Point - ferries to/from Dunoon. www.western-ferries.co.uk Gourock - ferries to/from Dunoon and Kilcreggan. www.argyllferries.co.uk OR www.spt.co.uk/kilcreggan-ferryLargs/Wemyss Bay - ferries to/from Cumbrae/Bute. www.calmac.co.uk

The LocalityArdgowan House Available for weddings, conferences, drinks receptions, dinners, accommodation and tours. Please contact the Estate Office on 01475 521 656 to check availability

Gourock Gourock has a wide range of shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs.

Lunderston Bay Beautiful beach and the Cardwell Garden Centre.

Inverkip Sainsbury’s, The Kipper Bistro, Bongio Fast Food, The Inverkip Hotel, Bar and Restaurant, The Chartroom Restaurant

Clyde Muirshiel Park Visitors’ Centre, nature trail and access to Greenock Cut walk

Ardgowan Fishery Loch Thom by the Cornalees Bridge

TRANSPORT LINKS AND LOCALITY

Bute

GourockDunoon

Greenock

GlasgowInverkip

Wemyss Bay

Largs

Cumbrae

Ardgowan

welcome to ardgowan estate€¦ · welcome to ardgowan estate welcome we gladly welcome you to...

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