Howwood, Renfrewshire

3 miles/ 5 km

This castle/monument like tower is very visible from the Glasgow to Largs/Ardrossan/Ayr train as it comes into view just after the Howwood train station or around 5-6 minutes into the train journey down to the coast on the train to Ayr. I am not the only one who has wondered if it is possible to visit that monument. A monument I have always thought was called Castle Semple. But I was wrong. The correct name is Kenmure Hill Temple.
The walk to this monument or whatever it should be described as (actually, it is a temple) is actually pretty easy. I have here made it a round trip taking in some other interesting landscape too. It is perfectly possible to just walk the first part of the walk to and from Howwood train stop, missing out on the pretty interesting final half of the walk.
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Easy

The walk is mostly on grass and gravel. There is some tarmac in the beginning and the end. The final 3/4 miles/ 1 km is on a busy road. Bring cold soft drinks and good shoes. Walking poles is also a good idea on most of this walk.



Train from Glasgow/Paisley/Kilwinning to Howwood train stop 2 times an hour.

From the Howwood train stop, take the road to the left on the bridge over the motorway and then a small river. After 100 yards/meters, take the gravel path to the left, following the "Temple 1 mile" signpost.



The gravel gives way to hard surface mud and grass after half a mile. It also climbs up to a crossroad. Take the signposted path up the moderate steep hill to the top of Kenmure Hill Temple.



It is possible to enter this building too and you can have a good look around it (as I have done). It is not particular interesting. The temple is now used by the local cows as a shelter. Beware of their "calling cards".



The views from Kenmure Hill Temple are surprisingly good. Castle Semple Loch dominates the views to the west. Howwood village is also very much present here and so are the passing trains on the nearby railway line. I am genuine surprised about the scenery here and it is understandable why someone built this temple. Madness, but still understandable.



Retrace your steps again down the hill to the crossroad. Take the grassy path to the right and follow the path up to the Lochwinnoch - Paisley cycle path. The views towards the Kenmure Hill Temple are pretty impressive from this path.




After some hundred yards/meters, follow the sign up to the main road again where you choose the road to the left. Be careful here as the traffic is sometimes pretty significant. The road now takes you back past the start of the walk to Kenmure Hill Temple and then over the two bridges to Howwood train stop.

Train from Howwood train stop to Glasgow/Paisley/Kilwinning 2 times an hour.

Enjoy the walk !!