Welcome to the Inverclyde section of the John Galt Way.
The Kelly Burn marks the division between North Ayrshire and Inverclyde. Our next stop is the lovely village of Wemyss Bay.
Waypoints: WP17 Wemyss Bay Station, WP18 Kip Marina, WP19 Ardgowan Distillery, WP20 Inverkip St Cemetery, WP21 Galt Family Home, WP22 Beacon Arts Centre
Distance: X m, Y km; Time: Z hrs;
Terrain: footpaths and country lane
Public transport: Rail services Wemyss Bay-Inverkip-Branchton-Port Glasgow and McGill's bus services 576 & 578 Largs to Greenock
Toilets: Inverkip car park, cafes etc for customers, Beacon Arts Centre
Download pdf (draft version) of this section
>> or see this section southwards
photo Liz Smith
Waypoint 17 Wemyss Bay station:
What3Words ///glue.wounds.laughs
Take time to explore the wonderful award-winning Wemyss Bay Station. As well as the terminus of trains from Glasgow, the station also boasts a café, bar and second hand book shop. Ferries to Rothesay (on Bute) arrive here and there is a frequent #901 bus service north to Glasgow or south to Largs.
In 'The Ayrshire Legatees', Miss Pringle describes the scene to her friend Miss Isabella Todd:
"When we crossed the stream that divides the counties of Ayr and Renfrew, we beheld, in all the apart and consequentiality of pride, the house of Kelly overlooking the social villas of Wemyss Bay. My brother compared it to a sugar hogshead, and them to cotton-bags, - for the lofty thane of Kelly is but a West India planter, and the inhabitants of the villas on the shore are Glasgow manufacturers.” (Chapter 1, Letter 2)
The Wemyss Bay Caravan Park now takes the place of Kelly House which was destroyed by fire in 1913. The "West India planter" who owned the property was John Wallace and it was inherited by his son Robert Wallace in 1803. Robert Wallace later became Greenock's first MP in 1832.
map (c) OpenStreetMap contributors
There is a footpath all the way - National Cycle Network Route 753.
Follow the roadside path (on the seaward side).
The path descends to a roundabout at the Hill Farm junction - the gated road on the left once led to the now-gone Inverkip Power Station - the path then rises as it goes north.
At Inverkip, you pass a parking area at the war memorial, with toilets and incredible views across the Firth of Clyde.
Toilets: Wemyss Bay station, Inverkip War Memorial car park
photo I J Dickson
Waypoint 18 Kip Marina
What3Words ///chum.image.nitrate
Scotland’s Premier Marina has 600 protected pontoon berths, all facing the prevailing wind, available 24 hours a day seven days a week for vessels up to 24m. Kip Marina is a 5-Gold-Anchor marina.
For more about Inverkip, see Liz Smith's article in 'The Greenockian'.
In 'The Ayrshire Legatees', Miss Pringle describes their arrival at Inverkip:
"We entered the pretty village of Inverkip. A slight snow-shower had given to the landscape a sort of copperplate effect; but still the forms of things, though but sketched, as it were, with China ink, were calculated to produce interesting impressions.” (Chapter 1, Letter 2)
Our 1821 travellers followed the Spango Valley, now the main A78 road (dual carriageway), so the John Galt Way will deviate by a country lane with pleasant views. There is also regular public transport from Inverkip to Inverkip St Cemetery in Greenock (see Public Transport below)
map (c) OpenStreetMap contributors
Take the overhead crossing and marked pathway into Inverkip village - perhaps stop for coffee!
Follow the path towards Bridgend Cottages, just past Inverkip Bowling Club's ground.
Cross to the west side of the A78.
Continue along the footpath towards the junction with the A770.
Cross at the island and continue to follow the path on the west side of the A78.
At the end of this path recross the A78 at Ardgowan Distillery. Visit their website to read about their 'Clydebuilt' brand and see times of distillery tours.
For those wishing neither to take the John Galt Way country lane nor the Pringle family's Spango Valley road, options include the train service between Inverkip and Branchton stations (Wemyss Bay to Port Glasgow line) or the McGill's 906 bus service between these two points, the latter continuing to the centre of Greenock. The services are both half-hourly and both take 8 to 9 minutes.
Inverkip Hotel - a family run hotel & restaurant in the heart of Inverkip - PA16 0AS.
Millstone Coffee House, 64 Main St., Inverkip - PA16 0AS
photo ...
Waypoint 19 Ardgowan Distillery - PA16 0DT
What3Words ///football.subjects.confident
This is the third Ardgowan distillery, opened in 2025. For JGW walkers, the location offers a pleasant break while next to a main road. The distillery offers tours (except August).
The original Ardgowan distillery was founded in 1896 at Baker Street in Greenock; in 1903 the distillery caught fire and a "river of flaming whisky" washed down Baker Street. Before World War II the distillery was converted to make industrial alcohol for use as fuel for RAF fighter planes. The distillery was almost totally destroyed in the Greenock Blitz of 7 May 1941 - it was rebuilt and continued in production until 1952.
In 'The Ayrshire Legatees', Miss Pringle comments thus on Spango Valley:
"After ascending by a gentle acclivity into a picturesque and romantic pass, we entered a spacious valley.” (Chapter 1, Letter 2)
map (c) OpenStreetMap contributors
Continue a short distance along the dual carriageway footpath as far as the “Weak Road” on the right (it goes to Loch Thom).
50 yards later, use the median island to carefully cross the dual carriageway and take the country lane on the west side.
Follow this lane, away from the main road, with its superb views over the valley - the valley was once the home to IBM – read about it here.
Continue down Flatterton Road through the Braeside neighbourhood to rejoin the main road. You reach Inverclyde Academy (the shops on the next road to the left include a bakery!).
Follow the main road into Greenock until you meet Old Inverkip Road (opp. Clyde Auto Sales).
Follow Old Inverkip Road to where it meets the A78.
Cross the main road, going slightly right, to continue on Old Inverkip Road
Follow Old Inverkip Road, which will meet Brachelston Street.
Follow Brachelston Street and continue onto Orangefield until it rejoins the main road.
In a short distance, after passing Roxburgh St and One Bruce St Bar, the cemetery is on your right.
Albany Theatre ('The Albany') on Orangefield Place - "Greenock’s leading restaurant and events venue, proudly reviewed as the number one restaurant in Greenock and Inverclyde" - PA15 1YX
One Bruce Street - bar and kitchen - PA15 4LL
photo Tony Stewart
Waypoint 20 – (Inverkip Street Cemetery - John Galt's grave):
What3Words ///matter.media.bleat
A plaque at the gateway records this cemetery as the resting-place of John Galt. The grave itself is in the middle left of the graveyard. Recorded on the left are his parents and John Galt himself; in the middle his brother-in-law and family; and on the right, his sister. - Read more . . .
The photo shows Inverclyde Provost Drew McKenzie laying a wreath at Galt's resting place in 2026 on the anniversary date of his 1839 death, 11th April. The wreath-laying was also attended by members of Greenock and Irvine Burns Clubs and Inverclyde Historical Society.
map (c) OpenStreetMap contributors
Turn right from the cemetery towards the centre of town.
Cross to the opposite side of Inverkip St at the pedestrian crossing opposite the Green Oak Bar
Continue towards Kilblain Street Bus Station.
Cross Kilblain Street and follow the path down towards the underpass.
Enjoy the underpass murals with the oak leaf celebrating Green Oak folklore, and continue through Oak Mall, with its murals of Greenock history.
Exit the underpass at Westburn Street and continue north.
After the corner of West Blackhall St and West Burn St, a plaque on the (white) wall records the site of the Galt family home where John Galt died in 1839.
One Bruce Street - bar and kitchen - PA15 4LL
photo I J Dickson
Waypoint 21 – Galt family home (c.58 West Burn St)
What3Words: ///magma.mint.transit
When it was built by Galt's father, a sea-captain on the Jamaica run, their house here, on the town outskirts at the time, had a large garden and a view to the river. John Galt retired here in 1834 and died here in 1839, aged 60.
Continue north on Westburn Street.
Take the pedestrian crossing at Dalrymple Street towards Tesco.
Follow the path passing the Tesco entrance.
Cross Container Way towards the Waterfront Cinema.
If, after crossing, you walk about 50 yards along the car-park hedge to the west for a moment, you will be at the place, marked with a pavement roundel, where Highland Mary had been buried, before being re-interred at Greenock cemetery when Harland and Wolff bought the ground.
Take the path passing the fascinating Wyllieum onto the riverside path.
The Wyllieum is home to the art, ideas and scul?tures of George Wyllie (1921-2012).
Follow the path until you reach Custom House Quay and Beacon Arts Centre.
Along the promenade enjoy the interesting artworks such as 'The Yardmen' celebrating the workers who built the ships which made the Clyde world-famous.
map (c) OpenStreetMap contributors
Continue north-east on Westburn Street to meet Dalrymple St.
Turn eastwards (right) and follow the footpath passing the main entrance to Oak Mall along Hunters Place, and walk under the main road.
Walk round Greenock Central Library to Clyde Square and into Cathcart Square.
Follow Cathcart St - you will pass the James Watt Bar - this was the site of the Tontine Hotel where the Pringle family ended their journey from Irvine.
Continue a little further and visit Heritage Highlight: Ginger the Horse.
Cross Rue End Street to walk towards the Clyde.
Take the path to Custom House Quay and the Beacon Arts Centre.
Aulds, 52A Hamilton Way - PA15 1RH (Oak Mall Shopping Centre)
Greggs, 44 Hamilton Way - PA15 1RH
Beacon Arts Centre PA15 1HJ
The Greenock Waterfront Walk is a self-guided walk, lasting about an hour, and highlighting many interesting buildings and the many waterfront sculptures which reflect Greenock's history, such as the Greenock Yardmen. The walk can be viewed here, where you will an interactive map and a link to a downloadable pdf.
photo I J Dickson
Waypoint 22 - Custom House Quay, with the Beacon Arts Centre and the Custom House, with parking & cafe.
What3Words ///only.holds.daily
It is from Custom House Quay that the Pringle family would have taken a steam boat to Glasgow as part of their long journey to London.
The Greenock Burns Club Exhibition and Archive Centre is in the Custom House - it features a history of the 'Mother Club' (founded in 1801), links with Highland Mary, who died and is buried in Greenock, Burns' career as an excise officer, and books of Burns' work dating back to the 19th century.
Although the John Galt Way ends at Custom House Quay, you may enjoy a half-hour sea-air walk westwards along the Esplanade.
photo Dave Souza
The John Galt Memorial Fountain:
What3Words ///constrain.improvise.loafer
This memorial, appropriately beside the River Clyde which was so important to seafaring families like that of Galt, was restored in 2015; the John Galt Society was at the time recently established and its president, Prof. Gerard Carruthers, said “It is a real privilege to have someone like John Galt associated with Greenock".
Email: info@irvineburnsclub.org
Museum: Wellwood Burns Centre, 28 Eglinton Street, Irvine, KA12 8AS
© Irvine Burns Club
Kip Marina to Ardgowan Distillery
