Easy hikes and walks around Howwood

Castle Semple Café is open daily 10.00 -17.00 hrs in summer, 10.00 – 16.00 hrs in winter, with coffee, cake, snacks, light refreshments and ice cream. https://clydemuirshiel.co.uk/park-sites/castle-semple-country-park/

Castle Semple Loch Visitor Centre is situated in the heart of Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park in Scotland. The centre offers a range of facilities including a café, exhibitions, and information on local wildlife and activities.

In rain the loose cobble/gravel path is a challenge. Water disappears slowly and can be up to a metre deep. Occasionally you have to wade through the water in Muirshiel park

The original purpose of the temple was simply a landscape feature or ‘folly’, designed to be seen from the mansion house and by visitors arriving at Castle Semple. It also served as a summer house with panoramic views. The design of the building probably comes from James Gibbs ‘Book of Architecture’, published in 1728, a sort of architect’s scrapbook of ideas. Gibbs described his designs as ‘summer houses in the form of temples of an octagonal form. The Follie originally had a roof and glazed windows but these were damaged in a fire. It also had trees planted beside it.

Castle Semple Collegiate Church was founded in 1504 to serve his castle and estate. John, Lord Sempill built the church which was then extended by his son to include the tomb of his father who was killed in the battle of Flodden. Today the church is partially ruined with no roof. The tomb is still visible and remains a good example of a medieval burial tomb.

Castle Semple Loch was part of the historic Lochwinnoch estate. It was a fishing loch and part of the wider drainage scheme that the estate owners created to improve the local land for farming. Today the loch is still used for fishing and water sports. There is a RSPB bird sanctuary along the southern shore and a network of paths and trails that are popular with families, cyclists and dog walkers in the wider Castle Semple Country Park to the north.

Open 24/7 History A late Gothic place of worship Castle Semple Collegiate Church was founded in 1504. The building itself was probably a remodelled existing building, possibly a proprietary chapel. It had lands and income to support: a provost six chaplains two choir boys a sacristan The remains of the buildings accommodating the priests and officials are likely buried in the area around the church, along with a cemetery. The church’s founder, John, Lord Sempill, intended the church to accommodate a spectacular tomb for himself and his wife. Sempill was killed fighting the English at the Battle of Flodden in 1513. The church was extended to accommodate his tomb in a three-sided apse on the east side. Although it’s now without its effigy, Sempill’s tomb remains one of the finest examples of a medieval burial monument in Scotland. Passage to heaven The sole purpose of Castle Semple Collegiate Church was providing a place for priests to perform mass, for the benefit of the founding family. It illustrates the important attached in the medieval period to ensuring the speedy passage of souls through purgatory and into heaven. Text taken from: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/castle-semple-collegiate-church/history/

A lovely spot for a picnic or a rest. The carvings sit just off National Cycle route 7, and at a junction connecting the Castle Semple Lochside Trail with Parkhill Woods.