After our South America/Antarctica trip, which was enjoyable but it exhausted both of us with illness and other challenges, we didn’t think we’d be ready to plan another adventure for a while. But when we had the good fortune to be offered the use of a seaside flat in Scotland and spend time with our Netherland-based family during our grandson’s school break, we eagerly booked our flights.
During our short time in Gourock, we went on a couple of day trips and short outings as well as several slow walks to and around town. The younguns in the family took on more ambitious hikes including an overnight to the Highlands and spent a day checking out the sites in Glasgow. They also handled most of the grocery shopping and cooking, making it a very relaxing trip for us.
Around town
We didn’t have to go far to experience marine activity in the Firth of Clyde–kayaks, sailboats, ferries, freighters and navy ships (including a massive aircraft carrier) all passed in front of our flat’s windows. A short seaside walk and we were in the center of the village with access to coffee shops, grocery stores, restaurants, a weekly market, and the pathway to hike up to the Tower Hill viewpoint. A popular pub and the Gourock Yacht Club were only a few blocks in the other direction.
One of many spectacular views from our flat 
On our way up to Tower Hill 
Built in 1847 as a viewpoint (the tower, not the teen) 
The view from Tower Hill 
Town hall in Gourock’s neighbour, Port Glasgow 
Ornamental spheres recycled from an old street project in Port Glasgow to serve as clever barrier against rogue parkers 
View of Greenock and the Firth of Clyde from Lyle Hill
Isle of Arran
We dropped the two adults off at The Isle of Arran Brewery, the trailhead for the Goatfell hike. The two seniors (us) and the teen headed off to circumnavigate the island with plans to return to pick up the hikers about four hours later. The Isle of Arran is often spoken of as Scotland in Miniature. The Highland Boundary Fault cuts right through the middle of the island leaving the southern half with lush green hills and lowland pastures while the upper half resembles the Highlands with its rugged mountain peaks like Goatfell. The contrasting landscapes were very evident as we drove around the island.
Enjoying a delicious lunch at Café Thyme–a great spot to eat and loads of outdoor activities for young ones 
Lochranza Castle at the north end of the island 
Fisherman’s Walk pathway but, oh, so windy and cold the day we were there
Heading inland
Ken and I had previously visited the Falkirk Wheel, the world’s only rotating boat lift, and an afternoon drive gave us a chance to share this engineering marvel with the engineering-y faction of our family. On another culture- and history-focussed road trip, we ogled scenery, slathered scones with devon cream and jam, appreciated the grazing sheep and the Highland coos (though these were clearly chowing down on hay positioned to keep them near where the tour buses stop at the equally touristy Trossachs Woolen Mill shop), and pondered the rope-like details in the imposing stone walls of Stirling Castle.
Boys playing at the Falkirk Wheel water park 
Of course, coffee and scones–first stop on the itinerary. 
Outside of the Trossachs Woolen Mill 
Highland coos for the tourists 
Three generations of Pearce boys 
Star Pyramid (or Salem Rock) in the Old Town Cemetery 
Detail from the Stirling Castle 
Along the Stirling Wood Carvings Heritage Trail (though the heads are not wooden)
Largs and Wemyss Station
Our hosts’ information e-mail included notes about a trip to Largs for ice cream. Their comment about the Wemyss Bay railway station (What a station!) had us intrigued. A 30-minute drive for ice cream, interesting architecture and to see an as-yet-unseen part of the coast seemed a worthy adventure. Nardini’s, the popular ice cream cafe, is surprisingly large and seemed to be serving pizza, salads and other fare to a late-lunch crowd. The ice cream counter provided a good variety of choices and didn’t disappoint.
On our return trip we stopped at the aforementioned train station–widely considered one of UK’s most beautiful and architecturally significant. Virtualy empty when we were there, this important station seamlessly connects the rail line from Glasgow Central to the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry terminal bound for the Isle of Bute.
The incredibly spacious Nardini’s dwarfed by St Columba’s Church 
So many churches in Largs, though some have merged or closed 
Wemyss Bay railway station 
And that was the end of family time (other than a scotch tasting for father and son at a new distillery just 15 minutes from our flat). Only a week and a half, but we had a great time and are so grateful we had the opportunity. We spent our last few days quietly close to home while laundering and replacing the bedding and towels, and gettting the flat ready for the next lucky visitors.
We did have one more special treat, though. We thought we had missed Aileen, our favourite Scottish cousin-of-cousins, since she and her daughter had travelled to visit family in North America while we headed to her homeland. But she made it back in time and hopped the train from Glasgow to have lunch with us before we left. Lucky us!
TripBits
- Ferry to Arran: Calmac Ferries, 2 seniors, 2 adults, 1 youth, vehicle – $167.33CAD
Life: Phase Next 
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