Howwood: Trails, Village Church and Industrial History

Howwood can be explored from two perspectives: the trail through Bluebell Wood offers views of the Kilpatrick Hills and Ben Lomond, while its religious and industrial history provides other points of interest for your stay. If you’re looking for a hotel in Howwood, these specific themes can help you decide what to focus on during your trip: scenic trails, the village church or the legacy of former industries.

Trails and Scenery

The trail through Bluebell Wood offers views of the Kilpatrick Hills and Ben Lomond. A surfaced path climbs from Howwood up the lower, steeper section of a hill, then becomes a simple loop on higher ground. The two descriptions highlight different features: the views are the main attraction at Bluebell Wood, while the hill path is distinguished by its surfaced route, steeper lower section and loop. This lets you choose a route based on what matters more to you: scenic views or a described route layout.

The February 2017 Forest Management Plan describes the surfaced hill path. Check for current trail information before setting out, as the description is based on this plan. Renfrewshire Council’s Core Paths Plan 2022 includes a dedicated map (Map 6) for Lochwinnoch and Howwood. As the plan may have been revised since then, check the current version when planning a specific route.

Most of Howwood lies within the Low Corsehead Brae Local Nature Conservation Site, formerly known as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC).

Religious History

Howwood Parish Church has been at the heart of the village for over 150 years. Visitors are welcome to attend a service. If you’d like to accept this invitation, check the current schedule, as service arrangements may change.

On 28 May 1838, the chapel in Howwood was constituted as a church under the name Elliestoun. The church’s long-standing place at the heart of the village provides a broader historical connection, while the chapel’s history is tied to a specific date. This allows the local religious history to be viewed both through a long-standing presence and through a particular day in history.

Cloth and Lime

Economic history also forms part of the picture: Howwood was one of the places in Renfrewshire where cloth bleaching and finishing were among the most important industries. Finishing refers to the treatment of cloth to improve its appearance or properties; together with bleaching, the term describes two distinct areas of textile processing.

Midtown Draw Kiln, near Skiff Woods above Howwood, is the only draw kiln in Renfrewshire still standing. Midtown Limekiln was built into the edge of a large limestone quarry and mine; its vaulted chamber has three firing openings. The large-scale lime works at Corseford were established in 1775 and operated for over a century, until 1886. The information offers different perspectives for understanding the history: Midtown Draw Kiln is notable as the only kiln of its kind still standing in Renfrewshire, while the lime works at Corseford have a clearly dated period of operation.

Discover more destinations: Port Glasgow, Renfrew, Clarkston, Giffnock, Bishopton, Johnstone, Elderslie, Houston.

For the broader travel overview: Renfrewshire.