Inverclyde Ramblers' News
Celebrity barman visits Wemyss Bay Station
TV’s favourite ‘Boaby the Barman’ from Still Game (actor Gavin Mitchell) bumped into our group of walkers at Wemyss Bay Station Cafe on their regular Wednesday walk lunch stop. Gavin was kind enough to stop for a photograph on his way back to ‘The Clansman’..!
Dunrod Glen maintenance
Many thanks to Bineke, Sadie, Sheena, Heather, Joan, Campbell, Peter and Tom for spending their morning on a path cleanup behind Ardgowan Distillery. The group trimmed back branches and overgrown trees and weeds to improve path access along Dunrod Glen.
Coastal path cleanup
Inverclyde Ramblers joined the litter pick at Lunderston Bay as part of ‘the Big Clyde Clean Up 2026’ organised by Green Tangerine. We collected over 20 bags of litter along the coastal path and Cloch Road and plan a return visit soon to finish the work along the A770 and the woods at Ardgowan Estate. The event is running from March 1st until 26th April.
Join ‘The Big Clyde Beach Clean 2026’
Inverclyde Ramblers are supporting Green Tangerine who are hosting the ‘The Big Clyde Beach Clean 2026’ at various locations throughout Inverclyde from March 14th-April 14th.
See link below for full details:
Cycling And Walking Survey Launched
A 2026 online survey has been launched for Inverclyde residents to feedback on which parts of the district should get better walking and cycling routes. The Council says: “The aim of this is to recognise the progress that’s been made since the 2018 Active Travel Strategy was introduced and create a longer term plan to make it easier for people in Inverclyde to walk, wheel or cycle.
Tributes paid following the death of former Provost and Inverclyde Ramblers’ member David Roach
David was an active member of Inverclyde Ramblers for many years and led many walks locally and further afield. He was also a past Chairman of the group.
Lunderston Bay – one of the best places to walk in Inverclyde
Inverclyde Council has invested more than half a million pounds in Lunderston Bay in recent years, recognising its popularity with local residents and visitors from further afield.
Lunderston Bay coastal path and car park resurfaced
Improvement work on the coastal path from Lunderston Bay to Inverkip and Lundesrton Bay car park is now complete and is accessible for everyone without having to keep stopping or walking in single file..!
Literati rebrands to Green Tangerine
Literati Guide to Inverclyde, formed seven years ago, has rebranded as Green Tangerine, a community interest company. The group’s teams picked up more than 1,000 bags of litter weighing almost 5,500kgs across the district in the past year.
See their future litter picking events here:
Lunderston Bay coastal path closed for 3 months
Improvement work on the coastal path from Lunderston Bay to Inverkip has now started on an initial 1.1-kilometre stretch to make the path more accessible. The work is expected to last three months with a temporary diversion route in place along the A770 Cloch Road footpath with vegetation cut back to provide a clearer route.
Ardgowan Estate path clearance
Many thanks to Bineke, Sadie, Heather, Joan, Martin, Peter and Tom for spending their morning on a path cleanup at Ardgowan Estate. Passing walkers thanked the group as they trimmed back branches from overgrown trees and weeds to improve path access.
Walking Holiday in Nerja, Spain, 26th February – 12th March 2025
After the success of his Nerja trip earlier this year, Terry McKenna is repeating the event in 2025 with walks open to our members, friends and relatives. You can decide not to walk and instead explore the bustling holiday town of Nerja, or take a bus for an hour to delightful Malaga, or for two hours to Granada. Use the link below for more details:
£1,400 raised for Marie Curie
Greenock Dillie Dollies (Inverclyde District Nursing Team), including Karen McEwen from Inverclyde Ramblers, have raised £1,400 for Marie Curie. The money was donated by sponsors supporting their ‘Mighty Stride’ (23 mile walk) as part of Glasgow Kiltwalk on 28th April 2024. Pictured with Karen are; Annemarie Kelly, Sharon McGlynn, Helen O’Donnell and Danelle Moffat
Celebrity Chef visits Wemyss Bay Station Cafe
TV celebrity chef Rick Stein popped into Wemyss Bay Station Cafe on his return from Bute while filming his new series ‘Rick Stein’s Food Stories’. On-lookers were several Inverclyde Ramblers on their regular Wednesday walk lunch stop.
The full series, including the Argyll episode featuring his Rothesay visit, is available on iPlayer which can be viewed using the link below.
Peter in gosling rescue!
One of our regular Wednesday walkers, Peter McIntyre, managed to return a gosling back to it’s family when he found it lost on the coastal path at Ardgowan Estate. Even with his impressive dash to catch up with mum and dad there was still time for a photo opportunity..!
Our 20th Anniversary marked in Scottish Parliament Motion
Stuart McMillan, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, lodged a motion last year in the Scottish Parliament to mark Inverclyde Rambers’ 20th Anniversary…!
Inverclyde Ramblers’ Walking Holiday in Nerja, Spain, 14–28th February 2024
The holiday and walks will be open to our members, friends and relatives. You can decide not to walk. Instead explore the bustling holiday town of Nerja, or take a bus for an hour to delightful Malaga, or for two hours to Granada.
Inverclyde Ramblers’ ‘Bay to Bay’ walk featured in Scottish Walks & Cycling magazine
Read about ‘Lunderston Bay to Wemyss Bay’ on page 8 in the Spring 2023 edition published by Newsquest.
Our 20th Anniversary Walk featured in Ramblers Update
Ramblers Scotland have kindly published details of our 20th Anniversary walk, on Saturday 27th August, in their online newsletter.
Our 20th Anniversary Walk featured in Inverclyde Now
Inverclyde’s online news site as kindly published details of our 20th Anniversary walk on Saturday 27th August.
Inverclyde Ramblers Celebrate 20th Anniversary
We celebrated our 20th anniversary on Saturday 27th August with a coach trip to Falkirk where we walked from The Falkirk Wheel to Callander House and then on to ‘The Helix’ and The Kelpies. On our return trip home we stopped off at Carriages Kilmacolm for a celebratory meal complete with birthday cake and raffle.
Invitation from Literati
Inverclyde’s environmental group are looking for volunteers to help with their litter pick-up at The Cut and at Lunderston Bay. Several Inverclyde Ramblers have recently taken part. If you would like to get involved see their website for more information.
Wednesday walks restart featured in Inverclyde Now
Inverclyde’s online news site regularly publishes our Saturday walks and have kindly published details of our new Wednesday walks starting at 10:30 from Lunderston Bay.
Inverclyde’s Hidden Paths
Ramblers Scotland is asking Inverclyde’s walkers to help map ‘hidden’ local trails around the district.
Coronavirus/COVID-19
Ramblers UK take the welfare of our volunteers and members very seriously. Advice for walking in groups is available here.
Heavy Whalley interviewed for Walk Highlands
Heavy has held key roles in Mountain Search and Rescue over several decades. He joined our group for our Ben More walk back in 2018. Read his interview here.
Inverclyde Ramblers’ Loch Thom and Gryffe Reservoirs walk featured in Herald Magazine
Our sixth walk guide written for the Herald Magazine’s ‘Best walks in Scotland’ feature has now been published..! Our latest route is written by Peter McElwee.
Inverclyde Ramblers’ Bishop’s Glen walk featured in Herald Magazine
Our fifth walk guide written for the Herald Magazine has now been published..!. Our latest route is ‘Bishop’s Glen in Dunoon’ written by John McIndoe.
Inverclyde Ramblers’ Wemyss Bay walk featured in Herald Magazine
Read the latest of now four of our walk guides written for the Herald Magazine. Our latest route is ‘Wemyss Bay Circular’ written by Peter McElwee.
Auchmountain Glen walk award featured in ‘walk’ magazine
The Autumn edition of Ramblers UK’s Walk Magazine highlights our involvement in the ‘Auchmountain Glen most Improved Walking Place’ Award 2021.
Spotlight on Inverclyde’s walking and cycling routes featured in Scottish Walks & Cycling magazine
Read about ‘The Hidden Jewel in Scotland’s Crown’ on pages 15-21 in the Summer edition of the magazine published by Newsquest.
Inverclyde Ramblers’ Auchmountain Glen walk featured in Herald Magazine
Read the third of our walk guides written for the Herald Magazine. The latest is ‘Auchmountain Glen to Whinhill’ and our previously featured walks were ‘Lunderston Bay to Kip Marina’ and ‘Newark Castle to Parklee”. There’s information below on our previously featured walks.
Inverclyde Ramblers’ Lunderston Bay walk featured in Herald Magazine
Read the second of three of our walk guides written for the Herald Magazine. The latest is ‘Lunderston Bay to Kip Marina’ and our previously featured walk was ‘Newark Castle to Finaystone Burn’. Our final one in the series is ‘Auchmountain Glen’and this walk will appear in a few weeks.
A big ‘thank you’ from Ardgowan Hospice
Inverclyde Ramblers have been thanked for their kind donation of £500 to Ardgowan Hospice. The money was raised through our sponsored ‘Tartan Ramble’ in April which included 10 hills over the Inverclyde Alps. Well done to everyone who took part..! .
Inverclyde Ramblers make local news again..!
Meeting up with volunteers from Auchmountain Glen to celebrate winning their award.
Inverclyde Ramblers’ Newark Castle walk featured in Herald Magazine
Read the first of three of our walk guides written for the Herald Magazine. The first is ‘Newark Castle to Finaystone Burn’. Others to follow in the series are ‘Auchmountain Glen’ and ‘Lunderston Bay to Kip Marina’.
Scottish Walking Award for Auchmountain Glen
Inverclyde Ramblers nominated the Friends of Auchmountain Glen for a Scottish Walking Award
for their years of work in restoring the Glen.
For a Healthier, Happier and Cleaner Inverclyde
Pop in to ‘The Bothy’ at Gourock Railway Station to find out about walking and cycling in Inverclyde. Get advice, find a route, join a walk or a ride or volunteer with us.
Everyone Welcome..!
Inverclyde Ramblers make local news
Our cautions return to walking in September was covered in the Greenock Telegraph and InverclydeNow.
Coastal path cleanup
Thanks to Jo, Peter, John, George, Dave and Tom who piloted our monthly cleanup of the Ardgowan Estate coastal path. Over 90 pounds of rubbish were collected and handed to the Clyde Muirshiel ranger on site.
Ben’s Blog
Ramblers Scotland’s President, Ben Dolphin, tagged along with us on a recent walk on the Forth & Clyde Canal and the Antonine Wall.
See what Ben had to say about his day with Inverclyde Ramblers.
A poignant day on Ben More
Sadie’s father, Jimmy Moore, sadly lost his life in a plane crash on Ben More in January 19th, 1973.
Mountain Rescue Specialist, David ‘Heavy’ Whalley MBE, who attended the tragedy, joined us on our recent walk – he recounts the story in his blog.
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