The Beauty in Renfrewshire

In appreciation of the world around us and the salvation it’s provided over the past year, a handful of Renfrewshire’s finest photographers take us along to their favourite beauty spots.

Stanley Kirsten Ferguson @kizbang

Stanley Reservoir

Growing up in Glenburn, Paisley, the Stanley reservoir and its castle was always a prominent local landmark, which was both beautiful and mysterious. The banks around the reservoir provide great views of the water and the castle ruins, with a good selection of visiting wildlife. Winter is my favourite time to explore and it’s an oasis of calm that is well worth a visit. By Kirsten Ferguson @kizbang

Locherwood Community Woodland by Eddie Middleton @midds.houston

Locherwood Community Woodland

Renfrewshire can seem a little underwhelming on first look. However, as you get to know the place, it has a quiet beauty that’s as evocative as anywhere else in Scotland. This image was taken at the Locherwood Community Woodland bordering Clyde Muirshiel. This dilapidated bridge sits in lush woodland and, to my mind at least, is a good illustration of Renfrewshire’s hidden little gems. By Eddie Middleton @midds.houston

Robertson Park by Keith Hunter keithhunterphotography

Robertson Park

It has been wonderful having such a beautiful park so close to home in Renfrew during the pandemic. The avenues of trees and the pond allow you to engage with nature, escape urban life and help to provide a great sense of wellbeing. I love watching it change through the seasons and I have always been impressed at how well it is maintained. By Keith Hunter keithhunterphotography

Parkhill Wood by Gary Chittick @gbc123

Parkhill Wood

Parkhill Wood in Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park at Lochwinnoch is a fantastic outdoor space with lots of paths, passages, woods and waterways to explore. It really feels like a world away and the colours, smells and sights change every season. You can come here and enjoy the silence. The cold, misty winter mornings give way to bluebell carpets and bright pink rhododendron flowers in early summer. By Gary Chittick @gbc123

Boden Boo by Lesley Adams, lesley_adams_photography

Boden Boo

A hidden escape beneath the Erskine Bridge, this unexpectedly scenic woodland area is only a few minutes from my home, and with its views of the iconic bridge, overlooked by the jagged Kilpatrick Braes, I love wandering with my dogs, even letting them have a swim in the river. A quiet stroll through the trees is my way of relaxing. Lesley Adams lesley_adams_photography

Brookfield by Alexander McNaughton @martyf2.8

Brookfield

I enjoy this area as it has nice rolling farmland with quite distinct isolated trees. It is also an area where mist can form and the rising sun is visible with no hills impeding the view. Located on the left hand side of the road driving towards Bridge of Weir, about the middle of the village. By Alexander McNaughton @martyf2.8

Castle Semple Loch by Graeme Hewitson @monument_photos

Castle Semple Loch

I’ve visited Clyde Muirshiel since I was a kid and it’s an area of outstanding natural beauty. I love trail running and frequently find myself there very early mornings or late at night with a headtorch! It’s a wonderful place to explore with my family and it always brings tranquility no matter the weather. I visit many beautiful locations, but Castle Semple Loch is very special. By Graeme Hewitson @monument_photos

Knapps Loch by Thomas Graham @digitalpict

Knapps Loch

This small loch is located just as you enter Kilmacolm from the Bridge Of Weir side. It is one of my favourite spots to take my camera, no matter the time of the year. It was man made about 100 years ago for the local fishing club and is ideally located with small hills surrounding it, plus a fantastic variety of trees and bird life. By Thomas Graham @digitalpict

Paisley Abbey by Mark Swaroop @markswaroop

Paisley Abbey

The best way to describe the centre of Paisley is ‘character-filled’. Whether it’s Agnes who used to work in the mills or the Abbey with its alien gargoyles and slightly lopsided front door, all of it leaves a small stamp on your memory. The Abbey is particularly glorious during sunny summer evenings, with the sun highlighting its nooks and crannies. By Mark Swaroop @markswaroop

Gleniffer Braes by Allan Moore allan.moore.1975

Gleniffer Braes

Since lockdown, I’ve liked going up to Gleniffer Braes in Paisley to connect with nature and to view my surroundings in a new light. This is something that’s not just been beneficial for my mental health, but for my photography. I couldn’t not pick “Catch The Early Sun”, there’s a peacefulness to it and the light being caught from halfway up the tree is fantastic. By Allan Moore allan.moore.1975

Bridge of Weir by David Holmes @dholmes.photos

Bridge of Weir

I like exploring for waterfalls that are off the beaten track. I’ve passed the River Gryffe many times and decided to go have a look to see what was hiding down the river. I was pleasantly surprised when I came across it and got straight to work taking photos. I will need to visit again in the future. By David Holmes @dholmes.photos