Inverkip: Coastal Walks, Marina and History

If you’re looking for a hotel in Inverkip, the focus of your trip can guide your plans: a waterside walk, a cycling route, trips from the marina and historical attractions each offer something different. Consider whether you’d rather explore on foot, get on your bike, plan trips on the Clyde or learn about the history of the area.

Coastal Walks, Cycling Routes and Trips on the Clyde

From Gourock, a flat waterside path about 6.5 kilometres long leads to Inverkip via Lunderston Bay. You can extend it by a further 3 kilometres to Inverkip Marina. This lets you choose between the waterside section described and the additional stretch. When planning, it makes a difference whether you want the marina to be part of your walk.

The Coastal Cruising route follows the National Cycle Network on traffic-free paths to Inverkip Marina. From Kip Marina, it continues on quiet roads towards Ardgowan Estate. The sections described therefore differ in their routes: one follows traffic-free paths to the marina, while the other takes quiet roads towards the estate. Route conditions may change; check the latest route information before planning.

For trips on the water, Clyde Charters offers a range of visitor packages from Kip Marina. Destinations include the Sugar Boat in Greenock, Little Cumbrae and the surrounding sea lochs of the River Clyde. Routes and packages may change; check the current selection before making specific plans.

Whisky Tour and Route Planning

Ardgowan Distillery offers 90-minute tours that end with a guided tasting of three whiskies from the Clydebuilt range. Tour details may change; check the latest information before planning your visit. Ardgowan Distillery’s shop sells the company’s brands, including Clydebuilt, Inverdarach, Discovery and Exploration. The shop’s offerings may also change.

Ardgowan Distillery is 1.5 miles from Inverkip railway station; the walk takes about 30 to 40 minutes. Walking time may vary depending on conditions. If you include the tour in your day’s plans, allow for the approximate walk and the 90-minute tour as separate blocks of time.

History, Architecture and Landscape

Inverkip’s history dates back to the 12th century. The parish was founded by monks from Paisley Abbey in 1188 and has a history of Christian worship spanning more than 800 years. The tomb monument near Kirkbrae House includes the remains of Inverkip’s medieval parish church. After the church was demolished, the burial ground at Kirkbrae House remained in use; the last burials took place around 1970. The monument is of national importance for understanding medieval church architecture and funerary monuments in Inverclyde.

Ardgowan House is a Renaissance mansion with a chapel in the Gothic Revival style. Around Inverkip, the ancient woodlands and shoreline of Ardgowan provide a variety of habitats and give the designed landscape significant nature conservation value. This landscape dates from around 1800 and is a good example of James Ramsay’s work. The history of the estates also goes back a long way: in 1403, Robert III granted them around Inverkip to his illegitimate son, Sir John Stewart.

Discover more destinations: Greenock, Gourock, Wemyss Bay

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