Castle Semple Loch
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Castle Semple Loch is a 2 mile inland loch at Lochwinnoch in Renfrewshire, Scotland. Originally part of an estate of the same name, but now administered by Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park [1] as a watersports centre. An RSPB bird sanctuary is located on the loch's northern shore.
The ruins of a small sixteenth century collegiate church, Castle Semple Collegiate Church, in the care of Historic Scotland, can be found on the southern shore. It was built in 1504 by John, Lord Sempill, in the grounds of the original (thirteenth century) Castle Semple.
Castle Semple House was built in 1735 for Col. William MacDowell, who had the original house demolished. He replaced it with an elaborate gothick mansion which became renowned for its extensive gardens which formed the centrepiece of the 900 acre estate. It burned down in 1935 and the ruins were finally demolished in 1960. Impressive gate-arches and a small temple building on a knoll to the northern end of the loch are all that remains of the estate.
