Renfrewshire Council

Renfrewshire's biodiversity can be enjoyed in many different places. Below are listed some of the places managed to help local people and visitors to experience and enjoy wildlife.

Regional and country parks 

Muirshiel Country Park, Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park

Muirshiel Visitor Centre and Country Park give easy access to walking routes in the Renfrewshire Heights Special Protection Area. The country park itself has a variety of woodlands, heath, peat bog, ponds and a picturesque stretch of the River Calder.

Castle Semple, Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park

A good place to see water birds on Castle Semple Loch. A walk along the shore can also take you to Parkhill Wood, with typical woodland flora and a wide variety of nesting birds.

Gleniffer Braes Country Park

The country park covers a large area and contains several habitats including moorland, grassland, mature deciduous woodland, conifer plantations, peat bog, ponds, burns and old reservoirs.

Nature reserves

Newshot Island, Erskine (Clyde Walkway)

The Inner Clyde estuary is an internationally designated site for the protection of wintering wading birds. Along this stretch of walkway reed beds and mudflats can be seen - along with plenty of birds and the occasional seal. There are also interesting areas of woodland and species rich grassland.

Durrockstock Park, Paisley

A Local Nature Reserve which is a refuge for wildlife. An old reservoir provides a variety of habitats for birds and amphibians, while a Scots Pine plantation is home to nesting sites for many woodland birds.

Jenny's Well, Paisley

A rich haven for wildlife beside the White Cart Water, within easy walking distance of the centre of Paisley. Particular features are the variety of nesting birds in spring, flowering wild orchids in summer and the flash of blue when Kingfishers fly past along the river.

Paisley Moss, Paisley

Paisley Moss is a hidden oasis for wildlife. It is a Local Nature Reserve and contains ponds, mossy marshes, reeds and sedge beds supporting hundreds of different animals and plants.

RSPB Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve

A great example of wetlands in Scotland and an opportunity to watch whooper swans, pigeons and a wide variety of ducks during the winter. In spring, look out for the elaborate displays of great crested grebes.

Glen Moss Nature Reserve, near Kilmacolm

Glen Moss has areas of marshland, woodland and wet heath with open water and sheltered, shallow pools. It is a natural haven for songbirds, waterfowl, amphibians and insects. Rare plants include the coral root orchid.

Woodlands

Boden Boo, Erskine

This popular woodland is perfect for children. There's a network of informal trails, all ideal for easy walking and cycling. The paths are wide and smooth, but be prepared for a few short moderate slopes.

Howwood Woods

Wide, uneven gravel paths lead up a steep hill through ancient woodland and grassland, offering views over the Kilpatrick Hills and Ben Lomond.

Johnstone Woods (Bluebell Wood and Rannoch Wood)

Around 4 miles of well-maintained paths meander through this pretty, open woodland on the hillside above Johnstone.

Windyhill Woods, Johnstone

The gentle slope of Windyhill leads up through birch and oak woodland to views of Paisley, Glasgow and the Kilpatrick Hills. Continue on to the southern edge of the wood to find the Brandyburn waterfall, a popular local beauty spot.