Castle Semple Loch, Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire, Scotland
Castle Semple Loch is situated at Lochwinnoch in Renfrewshire roughly 10 miles from Glasgow Airport
The Loch is about 0.75 of a Km wide at its widest point and 2.5 Km long. The Loch is generally very shallow with more than 50% of it being less than 6 foot deep. At the north end of the loch a river flows out of it which can be paddled. There are a few easy rapids on this route and a weir that would need to be portaged. I have not traveled far along the river so cannot really comment on it.
Access to the Loch is from the carpark of Castle Semple Visitor Centre which is part of Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park. If you are just launching your canoe and not using any facilities then there is no charge. However, the visitor centre offers showering and changing facilities if you think you might get wet. There is also a coffee and gift shop.
Of more interest may be the boat hire. Here you can hire Open Canoes 
or windsurfing board, kayak 
, dinghy or sailing dinghy. For the kayak you have to show that you are trained to at least 1 star level, I think there may be a similar requirement for the sailing dinghys. With hires craft you are only allowed to use a section of the Loch. This is still a good area. The full width by about half the length. Obviously of you are going to hire a boat check in advance that the centre is open and that the boat hire is open too. On windy days they may not allow you out in an Open Canoe but if you can persuade them that you are capable I am sure you would still get out.
The Loch itself is not a particularly exiting piece of water. There is a path along the west side which means that there are a fair amount of fishermen on this side. The opposite bank has no path and is more interesting with a ruined tower to explore as well as the mouth of the feeder river in the south east.
Where this Loch comes into its own is as a practice ground. During most days there is a rescue boat, changing facilities, showers etc. It gives you a good place to practice your capsize and re-entry. Also if you are new to canoeing it gives you somewhere to go unsupervised but still with a decent level of safety cover. Of course for me it has the advantage of being just round the corner from my house.
When I say it is not that exciting it is still pleasant to paddle just not particularly secluded. Where the river leaves at the north east corner it is generally a quiet and secluded spot. If it is a good day and it is the weekend or a holiday the carpark can get quite busy. Not usually full but you may not get parked right next to the water.
So in summary a good spot for a wee visit or a good place for getting in some practice. It also has good areas for practicing poling and sailing.
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