315 JULY 2021 - Gryffe Advertizer

Walk: Parkhill Woods/
Johnshill Loop, Lochwinnoch
LENGTH: 4K (EACH SECTION)
DURATION: 1-2 HOURS – DEPENDING ON STOPS AND
WHICH ROUTE YOU DECIDE TO TAKE.
RATING: EASY
POINTS OF INTEREST: GROTTO, REMAINS OF
COLLEGIATE CHURCH AND BETTY MCKELLER
POETRY VIEWPOINTS
NATURE SPOTTING: TAWNY OWLS, GREAT SPOTTED
WOODPECKERS, CHIFFCHAFFS, WILLOW WARBLERS
AND BLACKCAPS.
The
Collegiate
Church
Founded in
1504 as a place
of worship and
learning. Inside
you can see the
ornate tomb
of its founder
John, First Lord
Sempill. It was served by a college of priests whose main
duty was to pray for the souls of the Sempill family.
Grotto
This was originally built by the MacDowall family in 1758 as a
picnic spot and used as a symbol of the family’s wealth. It was
considered very fashionable in its time.
e: info@advertizer.co.uk | www.advertizer.co.uk | July 2021 33
Park at the electrical
substation. Then cross
the meadow pausing to
stop at the viewpoint
where is inscribed lines
by Lochwinnoch’s
famous poet, Betty
McKellar.
Continue down into
the woods where you
can decide which loop
to do. The Hill trail
will give you the best
views, but all areas of
this lovely woodland
are worth exploring
including the collegiate
church and the grotto.
If you wish to do the
Johnshill loop continue
along the woodland
trail and follow the
exit towards Castle
Semple, where you
join the cycle path and
walk back through the
visitor centre, back into
the village and up to
the car park again.
A beautiful woodland
walk at all times of
year.
Betty McKellar - Poet
Betty moved to the Lochwinnoch over 50 years ago where
she married a local sheep farmer and stayed, teaching in the
local school for 30 years. She began writing in retirement and
had her first book of poetry published when she was 65. The
Muirshiel, the hills, the legends and the history of the area are
her inspiration.