Greenock Aquaduct

The plan had been to climb Ben Ledi today with P and V. Last night we decided a shortish low level walk would be better suited to the unusually hot and sunny forecast and so we did a leisurely loop around the ‘Greenock Cut’, about 8/9 miles starting and finishing at Drumfrochar station. It felt longer in the heat. The views out to Arran, Bute, the Cowal Peninsula and the Arrochar hills were stunningly clear. We also got an even clearer view of the back of Greenock dominated by the Inverclyde Royal Infirmary.
 
The ‘Cut’ is a very narrow 5.5 mile aquaduct built in 1827 by Robert Thom, which fed water from Loch Thom to nearby Greenock. It was replaced by a tunnel in 1971. Much of it is overgrown and very shallow, more of a ditich than an aqueduct or canal.
 
For once it was good to walk on a mostly flat excellent surface, and which although cycle friendly was extremely quiet.
 
Three miles in the Visitor Centre was partially open for coffee and snacks, and excellent coffee it was. The Muirsheil Rangers enjoying a short break were delighted to show us an Emerald Moth which, seeking anonymity, had glued itself to a green doorway. Apparently, they are quite common further south but not so much in Scotland. It was a beautiful thing with intricate white marks on its wings.