This month we plan for a circular walk from Blanefield, passing beneath Dumgoyne before following a field path into Killearn. From there the route follows the West Highland Way back towards Blanefield.

This walk is popularly known as the ‘Pipe Track’ as it follows the route of the pipe bringing clean water from Loch Katrine to Glasgow. It was built following a cholera outbreak in 1848 in Glasgow. Water is piped from Loch Katrine to Milngavie. At over 40km long, about half of it was tunnelled by hand through rock.

With a distance of about 8 miles this walk will be familiar to many. It is hoped, however, to introduce a few variants to the walk. This should make it more interesting for those who are accustomed to doing the usual loop up to Bonnington Linn and then back along the path on the north side of the River Clyde. The Bonnington Hydro scheme was built in the 1920s and opened in December 1927. It was the first major hydroelectric project for the public supply of electricity in Scotland.

If all goes to plan, the route will include the Mouse Water, a tributary of the River Clyde, before descending down through Lanark and back to the starting point.

This is a gentle walk of approximately 8.5 miles along the banks of the River Ayr. The walk is mostly flat and includes some country roads near Auchincruive.

The walk commences from the car park on the north side of Ayr Academy in Beech Grove. The route crosses the University of the West of Scotland – Ayr Campus before joining the path on the north side of the River Ayr. The path heads eastwards towards Dalmilling Golf Course and from there continues on to Mainholm Smallholdings and towards the Auchincruive Estate. The return journey retraces the outward route back to the A77, crosses the river, and then takes the path on the south side of the river before recrossing the river back to the university grounds and the starting point.

Given that our Southsider friends have had some distance to travel lately, this walk gives them a break! It is also possible to use the train – indeed we all use the train to get to West Kilbride from Fairlie. It’s a very long time (October 2010) since we hiked to Portencross and we have never continued to Fairlie. From West Kilbride we stroll down through Kirktonhall Glen, emerging at Seamill. From then on it’s completely flat  along the coast, through Portencross and along the coast to Goldenberry. All this stretch gives glorious (hopefully) views of the Clyde coast and islands, with history supplied at the Castle (King Robert II was a frequent visitor). Hunterston A Power Station is now decommissioned and provides feeding grounds for waders. Hunterston B still supplies 25% of Scotland’s electricity. Our walk ends finishes through an area of woodland before arriving at small waterside picnic area at Burnfoot and the waiting cars. About 8 downhill or flat miles!