On the seventh day of Christmas, the wee yin said to me
Let’s go doon the water to Gourock!
Today’s blog is not even a Campervan ride; this is just for anyone around the west coast that have never taken a day or night out in Gourock over the Summer. When the sun is shining, the Clyde just comes alive.
So today’s blog is a guide to our local area and what I would suggest for a day out. Stick with this, and you will have a cracker.
Gourock is superbly serviced with public transport. Passenger ferries connect Gourock with Dunoon and Kilcreggan, and a car ferry connects McInroy's Point with Hunter's Quay in Dunoon. Gourock railway station is located at the pierhead and provides regular services to Glasgow, Paisley and Wemyss Bay. The station has recently been refurbished to a very high standard and includes an exhibition of art and local WW2 information. Excellent local bus services connect the town to the surrounding area. As a youngster, we would always have a booze cruise over to one of these destinations before catching the last ferry home. Where else in Scotland can you do this?
Starting early my first call would be into the Esplanade Cafe on Campbell Stree at the start of the Esplanade, locally known as “the Splash” From here you walk along the Clyde coast heading towards Gourock. Two choices here, if you are feeling energetic walk up to The Free French Memorial at the top of Lyle Hill. The walk up is not for the faint-hearted, but the views are spectacular, don’t miss this even if you drive up. Whilst up here you can also see Tower Hill to the left, again easy to access but give an excellent variation of the spectacular view of the Firth of Clyde. From here you then drop back down onto the main road into Gourock and head to The Cove for breakfast. A much loved local cafe with an exceptional reputation, just check out their Instagram profile. Next up is a wander around Cardwell Bay and over to the main street of the town, Kempock Street, and it is worth highlighting a few of the local shops. Gourock has a tradition of quality local small businesses always keen to showcase the area. A standout must be a local legend, The Pirate and Bluebell with fantastic cards, arts and present ideas it has saved my skin on many occasions. Always a winner.
Wildfire Deli is the latest addition to the high street. Owned and worked by a local family, you are guaranteed a warm welcome, fantastic service and great coffee.
The mysterious Granny Kempock Stone stand just off the high street and a flight of steps winds up to the stone from Kempock Street. The local superstition is that sailors going on a long voyage or a couple about to be married, walk seven times around the stone to ensure good fortune. I have a few divorced Gourock friends; I’m not sure if they did the walk!
For the energetic, Lunderston Bay is a pebble beach just outside of town as you follow the coast road round heading to Inverkip. Here we have a fantastic coast walk around to the Inverkip Marina and its new developments and a hidden beach. We all do this as youngsters, scouring the beach for crabs and jellyfish, great fun. Lunch could be grabbed out at the Inverkip Hotel or Inverkip Marina. Both lovely settings, the marina for its views of the Clyde and wealthy Yachts!
If it's a summer's day everywhere will be busy and have a great atmosphere. There is something special about being next to the Clyde during the summer months. A local icon is the Gourock Outdoor Pool, a heated saltwater swimming pool. One of the last in Scotland and a brilliant experience. I’ve spent many an afternoon or night after work here—great views and usually busy. Personally, I always waited till later afternoon when most of the families had headed home. Keep an eye out for the midnight swims in particular, brilliant fun.
Book a table a the Cafe Continental for dinner. In particular book table 13, but keep that quiet tip to yourself. The Cafe is the perfect spot to enjoy dinner and sunset which in the summer can be very very special. The long hours of sunlight mean sunset can take forever with ever-changing colours. Definitely my favourite. Depends on the time of year but book for sunset. Oh, and make sure to have the ice cream. The Cafe use the Esplanade Cafe we talked about earlier. If you cant get the Cafe, I would suggest The Spinnaker Hotel. Great views, a hearty menu and selection of beers.
Gourock is well known to have excellent local bars and restaurants with a variety to suit all taste and wallets. A mix of old man places, young people out for a dance and couples just catching up. Always friendly and always welcoming. I have a few favourites, but you can’t beat the Kempocks jukebox and an impromptu sing-along. Most people will find themselves in either Cleats or back at the Cafe Continental to finish the night off.
Inverclyde has in the past been much maligned, most certainly from people who do not know the area. However, last year I had an English couple ask me to compile an itinerary taking in “Instagram” Scotland. As they only had three days, I explained Skye would just be driving and no fun. I sent them around the central belt touching the Highlands but finishing with the last night in Gourock, coming over from Dunoon. Despite seeing Castle, Mountains, Glens and Lochs all this couple could talk about was their night in Gourock. That made me immensely proud. We are doing something right.
