Greenock Cut (8 miles)
The circular walk follows the course of the Greenock Cut - an aqueduct built in 1825 to channel water from the moorland high above the town to where it was required as the heavy industry along the River Clyde rapidly expanded. Start at Overton Road at the top of Greenock. Car parking is available here or you can slog it uphill on foot from the town centre. Drumfrochar Railway station is half a mile from the beginning of the trail.
Bear right on to the path signed as Main Aqueduct. We stick closely to the water channel for several miles so you can't go wrong. Nice views of the Firth of Clyde can be enjoyed from various points. We eventually arrive at the Greenock Cut Visitors Centre where we learn from the interesting exhibition that the aqueduct continued in operation until 1971. Refreshments are available from the adjacent cafe which has indoor and outdoor seating.
We now follow the single-track tarmac road past the cafe and fishery with Loch Thom on our right. We pass through undulating open moorland and merge with Overton Road. Keep going fowards, ditto at the next intersection with another minor track. This brings us back to the starting point.
Work your way down to the town centre. Real ale is thin on the ground in some west of Scotland towns and thankfully the James Watt has a good selection.
