Firth of Clyde

Kilcreggan & Cove

Photographs of the villages of Kilcreggan & Cove
on the Rosneath Peninsula
in the Firth of Clyde on the West of Scotland

Pier at Kilcreggan on the Firth of Clyde

Kilcreggan is at the foot of the Rosneath Peninsula,

between the Gare Loch and Loch Long

Clyde steamers brought it within easy reach of Glasgow

- some 25 miles ( 40km ) distant.

Houses and Shops at Kilcreggan

One of the imposing villas at Kilcreggan

Many Glasgow shipowners and merchants

made their summer retreats

or even permanent residences

around Kilcreggan,

Many of the villas were designed

by the architect Alexander "Greek" Thomson

Wikipedia - Alexander "Greek" Thomson

Victorian rock art on the shore at Kilcreggan

Re-painted in 1922
to celebrate Tutankhamen
and named "Tut-tut".

Greenock and Gourock on the South Side
of the River Clyde in the background

Kilcreggan across Firth of Clyde

from Gourock

Strone across Loch Long

from Rosneath Peninsula

Wikipedia - Strone

Craigrownie Church at Cove

( A category "B" listed building )

The building was built as a United Presbyterian Church

in 1869

but now functions as Craigrownie Church Hall.

Scotland's Churches - Craigrownie Church

Buildings at Risk - Craigrownie Church

Burgh Hall at Cove

The Hall was the brainchild of Charles Cayzer,
owner of the Clan shipping line
who had a summer residence in Cove,
and who, as Provost, initiated its building in 1891.
It was designed by Glasgow architect James Chalmers
and was opened to the public
as the "village" hall in 1893.

Cove Burgh Hall - History

War Memorial at Cove

Craigrownie Castle at Cove

( A category "B" listed building )

a 19th century ( 1852 ) Baronial castle

designed by Alexander " Greek" Thomson

Argyll Coast - Craigrownie ( Cove ) Castle

Craigrownie Castle - History

British Listed Buildings - Cove Castle

Canmore - Cove Castle

Craigrownie Castle at Cove

( A category "B" listed building )

a 19th century ( 1852 ) Baronial castle

designed by Alexander " Greek" Thomson

Argyll Coast - Craigrownie ( Cove ) Castle

Craigrownie Castle - History

British Listed Buildings - Cove Castle

Canmore - Cove Castle

Beinn Bheula

from Rosneath peninsula

Isle of Arran

from Rosneath peninsula

"Clevedon"

- a Victorian Villa

( A category "B" listed building )

Knockberry House Hotel

( A category "B" listed building )

Knockberry Castle

- 19th century country house

Canmore - Knockderry Castle

RCAHMS - Knockderry Castle

Ferry from Gourock

arriving at Kilcreggan pier

Formerly there was also a ferry service

from Helensburgh

Helensburgh

across Gare Loch from Kilcreggan

Map of Kilcreggan and Cove

on the Rosneath Peninsula

Location: Kilcreggan and Rosneath, Firth of Clyde
Distance: ( 4.7 miles / 7.3km )
Time: 2-3 hours
Grade: Easy coastal walk

On the walk from Kilcreggan the going underfoot varies from tarmac to rough tracks to a mazy footpath but can always be followed and there are a couple of venerable signposts pointing towards Rosneath.
Kilcreggan and Rosneath both grew as settlements through the prosperous years of the mid-19th century when there were fortunes to be made in engineering, shipbuilding and other trades and professions in and around Glasgow. Seeking a more pleasant environment for their families and a weekend escape from factory or forge for themselves, the barons of business commissioned leading architects of the day to build them handsome villas “doon the watter”, on both sides of the Clyde.
Several of the houses in Kilcreggan were designed by Alexander “Greek” Thomson, and details of these, and others, can be found in the excellent Heritage Trail leaﬂet available locally.
Enjoyed a stroll through the majestic mature trees in Green Island Plantation from where there is a delightful little path winding through the trees close to the shore, passing Appin Cottage - far nicer than simply following the main track.
The low headland here is called Robert Ness, which sounds more like a person than a landscape feature.
The path rejoins the tracks at a gate into Rosneath Castle Holiday Park, a large caravan site that is beautifully kept and commands superb views across the Firth to Helensburgh and Rhu. A memorial stone marks the fact that US Navy forces were based here during World War Two.
The final section is up the road into Rosneath, another attractive village on the Firth from where a bus can be taken back to Kilcreggan to pay a visit to the excellent Café at Kilcreggan close to the pier.
On the ferry trip from Kilcreggan over to to Gourock the broad Firth opens up into long, lovely lochs with green hills above - on a warm, sunny summer's day in could be the Mediterranean.

ROUTE PLANNER

Map: OS 1:25.000 Explorer sheet 347 ( Loch Lomond South ).
Distance: 4.7 miles / 7.3km.
Time: 2-3 hours.
Start: Kilcreggan Pier ( GR: NS242804 )
Finish: Rosneath ( GR: NS255834 ). Return by bus.
Public Transport: Regular ferry from Gourock ( no Sunday service ). Details from 01475 721281 or www.spt.co.uk/kilcreggan-ferry .
Bus 316 from Helensburgh ( this bus is used for the retum to Kilcreggan ). Operated by Wilsons of Rhu, 01436 820300 or www.wilsonsofrhu.co.uk
Information: Helensburgh TIC, 01436 672642 or https://visitkilcreggan.org
Refreshments at the Cate at Kilcreggan, 01436 8420g22, www.cafeatkilcreggan.co.uk

ROUTE

From pier, TR on road. Pass boatyard and take next road on R.
It follows the shore and becomes a track.
Where it bends L take small path to R of house ( old signpost ).
Follow field edge and then newish track, which becomes fainter.
Keep to field edge;
At fork go L than R on broad farm track.
At next go R on surfaced track through woods ( signpost );
Just after Appin Cottage go R on smaller path tthat winds through woods close to shore. .
Rejoin main track at entrance to caravan park.
Walk through caravan park, generally keeping R, to shop and reception area.
Leave by park access road and in 1km go R on B833 road into Rosneath;