Castle Semple Trail
Date: 24 February 2024
Leader: Gerry
Grade: C+
Number on walk:10
Length 11.5km. Ascent 230m.
Hills climbed: None.
Click here for GPX track of the walk
Our morning tea break at the conveniently situated picnic table on Downie’s Mound
The rather misty view along Castle Semple Loch with Barr Loch in the distance
Our group on the top cascade of the now abandoned ornamental water feature in the Castle Semple Estate
Cascades were a “must have” feature for wealthy land owners. This one was built in the 18th century by diverting water from the Blackditch Burn into three large square ponds linked by waterfalls. Although no longer in their glory they are a rare survivor of such a feature in Scotland.
A view of the interior of the collegiate church at Castle Semple
The church was founded in 1504 by John Lord Sempill and served by a college of priests whose chief duty was to offer up prayers for the souls of the Sempill family. The ornate tomb of Lord Sempill, killed on the field at Flodden in 1513, can be seen on the left.
We left the old railway line, now a cycle path, at this sculpture of a solid wheeled bicycle
Climbing Kenmure Hill to the “Temple”
Very little is known about the Temple, other than that was built around 1760. There are many local stories but very little fact. A folly, a house for a sick child, a viewing platform for ladies to watch stag hunting, a masonic temple or just somewhere for the landowner to survey his lands – who knows? The building had a roof until 1830 when a lightning strike and subsequent fire destroyed the roof. Access to the first floor was via an exterior staircase all trace of which has now been lost.