The best traffic-free bike rides around Kilbirnie And Glengarnock

Hoist the kids up for a picture

This is a much nicer route back towards Glasgow. Much quieter and kinder hills all the way to Kilbirnie and Loch Winnoch. Only issue is finding the start of the Route 7 ride, but good signage once you're on it.

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.

A stunning mural that brightens the town up. The mural, overlooking Craighouse Square, was commissioned by Adam McLean, who owns The Studio and Gallery. The striking artwork has been replicated from an oil painting by self-taught artist, Tom Donnelly. Adam commissioned the mural after being amazed by Tom’s modern version of Leonardo da Vinci’s famous masterpiece.

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.

Barr Castle is a 15th-century keep which was altered in the 16th century (and probably later, too). The gables of the castle have collapsed, apart from the chimney stack which juts up into the sky. Not much survives of the former courtyard of the castle. The main hall was on the first floor, reached by a turnpike stair, which continued to the rooms on the upper floors. It is clearly visible from the A760 road going south from the village to Kilbirnie. It was built by the Glen family but passed in the late 16th century to the Hamiltons of Ferguslie. A door lintel has a date of 1680 and the initials L.H./I.C. The family abandoned it in the 18th century in favour of a new house. The family, variously known as Sempill, Sempil, Sempel and Semple, had probably owned estates in the area from as early as the 13th century. Robert Semple, Steward of the barony of Renfrew during the reign of Alexander II, was recorded as living in Elliston Castle, whose ruins lie near Howwood. The Semples of Elliston fought for Robert the Bruce, and steadily grew in power to become the Steward's hereditary Baillies of Renfrewshire. They were appointed Hereditary Sheriffs of Renfrewshire and Hereditary Baillies of Paisley. They were later designated as Lords Semple. Their extensive land holdings, Castle Semple, constituted some areas of Lochwinnoch and its hinterland. At some point, probably in the 15th century, the family built a tower keep at the east end of the north shore of the Loch.

Open Monday to Friday delicious coffee, cakes and hot rolls etc

The Kilwinning Railway Viaduct, is an impressive structure and prominent landmark constructed in the mid-19th century, during the Victorian era. It was part of the historic Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock and Ayr Railway (GPK&AR). Now that the railway is no longer in use it serves as an excellent part of NCN7, a long-distance cycle route running from Sunderland to Inverness.