Battery Park Gourock To Lunderston Bay

Saturday 30th August 2008

Looking down from the 130 metre top of Lyle Hill, Gourock, near to the Monument in the shape of the Cross Of Lorraine, which was erected to commemorate the ships of the Free French Navy who took part in the 1940-1945 "Battle Of The Atlantic", and also the French Sailors who lost their lives when the vessel "MAILLE BREZE" self-exploded at the tail of the bank on 30th April 1940, is Fort Matilda, a former torpedo factory now occupied by H.M. Coastguard and next door to it is the Battery Park, the starting point for the 16 Ramblers today on our walk round Cardwell Bay, through Gourock railway station and the Caledonian Macbrayne ferry terminal, gateway to Cowal peninsula and the Isle of Bute. Just outside Gourock we passed one of Scotlands only outdoor swimming pools built in 1909 and reconstructed in 1969, once tidal with a sandy floor but now modern and heated using cleaned sea water. Walking south along the esplanade there were great views across the River Clyde, beyond the many yachts now moored off shore, to Loch Long, the Holy Loch, Ardentinney, Kilmun and Dunoon, where today the famous Cowal Highland Games were taking place with pipe bands from all over the world competing. The Cloch Lighthouse and prominent Firth of Clyde coastal landmark, which could be seen when in use, by shipping some 19 miles away, and built by lamp maker and engineer, Thomas Smith, in 1797 was our next passing point before we left the main A78 Gourock to Inverkip Rd. and took the now newly constructed footpath to Lunderston Bay where our very own shining light "Sherpa" Sadie McGarry was waiting to ply us with her usual goodies, plus tea & coffee, before we made our return journey back to our starting point, Battery Park.

Joe Roche

Last Updated Sunday 23rd August 2009

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