This circular walk, of approximately 7 miles, links the towns of Bridge of Allan and Dunblane. The walk initially follows the Allan Water starting at the west side of Bridge of Allan and follows along the Darn Road (an old drove road). It continues as a path between drystane dykes, passes fields, a golf course and Kippencross House before entering the town of Dunblane. The route returns along Glen Road crossing the Wharry Bridge and dropping back into Bridge of Allan and the starting point.

Starting Point for the Walk:

Blairforkie Drive in Bridge of Allan (just off the roundabout on Henderson Street).   There is plenty of free parking available on Blairforkie Drive – OS Reference NS 788 978.

Getting there: 34 miles/50 minutes

Take your favourite route to the M8 (Edinburgh) and then onto the M80 (Stirling).  Then continue onto the M9 and exit at Junction 11 (the end of the M9).  At this roundabout, take the 4^th exit onto the A9 (Bridge of Allan) heading south.  Enter Bridge of Allan on Henderson Street, pass the Bridge of Allan railway station, cross the bridge over the Allan Water and immediately turn left into Blairforkie Drive and park at a convenient location.

The Walk:  Bridge of Allan/Dunblane Loop – 7.0 miles (11 km)

Starting from the foot of Blairforkie Drive, go up the road and after about 400 yards turn left where the start of the ‘Darn Road’ is signed.  Follow this as it runs above the Allan Water then bear right into a gorge carrying a burn.  Cross carefully by stones and a footbridge before continuing uphill to the right.  The track eventually continues as a sunken path between drystane dykes, past fields and skirts past Dunblane Golf Course and close to Kippencross House.  Halfway along the sunken path, alongside a golf fairway, the path veers left – follow it to a main road on the edge of Dunblane.  Continue into Dunblane and along by the Allan Water towards the cathedral.  There are benches  for a lunch or rest.

After lunch, walk back to the main road and turn left up to the roundabout and follow the Glen Road signed for Sheriffmuir.  After a mile, ignore the sign for Sheriffmuir, and carry straight on down a single-track road.  This becomes traffic free after about half a mile.  Continue on the Glen Road and cross the Wharry Bridge, eventually dropping into Bridge of Allan.  Pass through Sunnylaw, and after approximately 500 yards, turn right into Blairforkie Drive to return to the starting point.

Starting Point for the Walk:

On the road below the church on Braxfield Row/New Lanark Road – OS Reference NS 880 426.

Getting there: 32 miles / 59 minutes

Take your favourite route to the M74 towards Carlisle.  Exit the M74 at Junction 7 (Lanark/Larkhall) and turn left onto the A72 (brown signed New Lanark).  At the roundabout just before Garrion Bridge go left and at the Garrion Bridges Roundabout take the 3^rd exit onto the A72 (Lanark) and continue through Rosebank, Crossford, and Kirkfieldbank.  Enter Lanark from the north side and, at the traffic lights, turn right to join the A73/A473 (brown signed New Lanark).  Continue through the town and past the train station.  At the roundabout take the 3^rd exit (Hyndford Road) towards New Lanark.  Take a very sharp left turn into Braxfield Road (then onto New Lanark Road) and follow the signs to New Lanark.  On approaching the main car park for New Lanark turn right to zig-zag down to New Lanark.  Park on the street.  If there is no parking available return to the main car park (fee payable) and walk down to the village.  There are toilets and a café at the Visitor Centre.

The Walk:  Falls of Clyde Circular – 7 miles (11 km) – Occasional steep inclines/declines and steps

Staring from the old church, walk up the main road (New Lanark Road) and just before the road swings sharply to the right, turn left onto the signed Clyde Walkway.  Follow this woodland path downwards to the River Clyde and continue past Braxfield Park.  At the steep zig-zag path which climbs to the right, leave the views of the river and emerge into Castlebank Park.  Turn left onto the metalled park road and at the entrance to the park turn left onto St Patrick’s Road.  Follow this minor road to the end and turn left onto Chisholme Brae which passes the water works and meets the river again.

Continue onwards and after passing a few buildings turn left and cross the old bridge (Riverside Road).  Then turn left again into Kirkfield Road.  With the road rising gently, turn left through an old stone gateway onto a woodland track.  Follow this gently rising track watching out for wildlife and spectacular views of the river and falls.  The area is part of the Falls of Clyde Nature Reserve.  Continue past the ruins of Corra Castle and some minor falls and at Bonnington Linn cross the bridge to the east side of the river and turn left.  Continue on this gently descending path towards Corra Linn and the Falls of Clyde.  Pause at the viewing area for the Falls and then continue on the path down past the Bonnington hydro-electric power station at Corehouse.  Just past the power station bare left towards the river and continue onto a short stretch of boardwalk.  The path then continues towards the village and then passes The Mechanic’s Workshop, Robert Owen’s School, the site of Mill 4, the Institute for the Formation of Character, and Mill 3 (the New Lanark Visitor Centre and Café).  Return to the cars parked on the street or at the main car park.

Starting Point for the Walk:

At the Car Park in Ranoldcoup Road, Darvel – OS Reference NS 563 373.

Getting there: 28 miles / 43 minutes

Take your favourite route to the M77 towards Ayr.  Once on the M77 continue to Junction 6 signed Galston A77.  After ½ mile turn right onto A77 (Galston) and go under the M77.  At the roundabout take the 1st exit onto Ayr Road signed Galston A77 (A719).  After about a mile turn left onto A719.  Continue through Waterside and Moscow and after about 6 miles (at the Galston roundabout) take the first exit onto A71.  Continue through Newmilns and arrive in Darvel after about 3 miles.  Just past an attractive square on the right, turn right into Ranoldcoup Road.  Continue down Ranoldcoup Road to a car park on the left, opposite Collins Avenue.

The Walk: 

Darvel, Lanfine Estate & Newmilns Circular – 8.3 miles (13 km)

Leave the car park on Ranoldcoup Road and turn left down towards the River Irvine and the Ranoldcoup Bridge.  After crossing the bridge go through the gates straight ahead to enter the lovely Lanfine Estate which was ablaze with rhododendrons on the recée.  Continue on this surfaced track passing an enclosed section which is the home to wild boar (hopefully on show) until a stone bridge over the Newlands Burn.  Instead of crossing the bridge follow a wooded path off to the left which leads towards a waterfall.  The path meanders through pleasant woodlands and eventually crosses a burn and leads to a wider track.  At this point Lanfine House can be seen through gaps in the trees.  Continue left onto a small road and at the junction, turn left onto another small estate road.

At the crossroads, there is the option to have a shorter walk of 5 miles, by taking the road to the right and walking, initially, in a westerly direction.  This shorter route rejoins the main route in Brown Street (see below).  Those doing the full walk continue south and follow the road uphill until it becomes a track.

This track turns to the right after a few hundred yards, and at a junction with two other tracks bear right towards Bonnieton Hill Plantation.  The rewards of the uphill section are the views across the valley and a lovely flat track!  The route now follows this main track, ignoring any small paths going off, until it meets Windyhill Road.  Turn right down the road in the direction of Newmilns.  On the outskirts of the town the route goes right, along Brown Street, where there are some closed/derelict remains of the old lace industry and then some attractive cottages lining the road.  Continue along Brown Street (in to which joins the shorter route) until almost the end and, before the bridge, turn right into Brown’s Road which meanders alongside the River Irvine back to Ranoldcoup Bridge.  Turn left and retrace the route to the car park.

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.

Starting Point for the Walk:

At Ayr Academy Car Park, Beech Grove, Ayr – OS Reference NS 351 215.

Getting there from Glasgow: 37 miles / 50 minutes

Take your favourite route to the M77 towards Ayr.  At the Whitletts Roundabout approach in the third lane and take the 3rd exit (A719/Whitletts Road).  Continue down Whitletts Road, passing Ayr Race Course, and at the traffic lights turn left into Craigie Road (B747).  At the next set of traffic lights turn left into Craigie Way.  Take the first exit at the small roundabout to continue on Craigie Way and then the first right into Beech Grove.  Just beyond the Premier Convenience Store turn right into Ayr Academy car park.  There are toilet facilities at the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) Ayr Campus near where the outward/inward route joins the river path.

There are regular train and bus services from Glasgow to Ayr.  The Starting Point for the Walk is approximately 1km from the railway station and 1.5km from the bus station.

The Walk: 

Ayr River Walk – 8 miles (13 km) – Mostly flat earth paths and minor roads

From the Ayr Academy car park head south on Beech Grove towards the river.  Pass another car park on the right and turn right at the junction and then first left to head southwards past the Ayr Riverside Guest Rooms.  Continue on a short section of earth pathway and at the river turn left.  The River Path heads east on the north side of the river.

Continue along the path on the north side of the river and on reaching Dalmilling Golf Course, follow the path to the A77.  Cross the road bridge onto the south side of the river and turn right down steps.  At the river turn right under the roadway and come up on the other side of the road.  Turn right and head northwards for about 200m and then turn right into Mainholm Road.  A road sign on the left points to the right and is signed ‘Mainholm Smallholdings’.  Continue on this road (part of the River Ayr Way) and take the first right and then the first left and head towards Auchincruive on a quiet country road.  Continue along the road until two large rocks appear at a junction.

Retrace the outward route back to the A77 passing under the road again.  This time, instead of taking the steps back up to the A77 continue along the path on the south side of the river.  Follow the path, in a westerly direction, with the river on the right and cross the River Ayr to the north bank using the Craigie Bridge.  Retrace the outward route back to the car park at Ayr Academy.

This walk starts at the Falkirk Wheel and climbs to pass the wheel and join the Union Canal.

Following the north side of the Union Canal the route then heads north through Summerford Park to join the Forth and Clyde Canal. Heading north again the route follows the Mungal Burn to the River Carron. Taking the perimeter of Camelon Cemetery the path then heads south through Camelon  to join the Forth and Clyde Canal once again for the final stretch back to the Falkirk Wheel and the starting point.

Starting Point for the Walk:

Camelon Station Car Park – OS Reference NS 867 807.

Getting there: 24 miles/37 minutes

Take your favourite route to the M8 [Edinburgh] and leave at Junction 13 onto the M80 [Stirling].  Leave the M80 onto the M876 [Kincardine Bridge] and exit the M876 at Junction 1 [Falkirk] onto the A883.  At Three Bridges Roundabout take the first exit onto the A803 [Falkirk/Camelon].  Continue past Tesco/Aldi and at the traffic lights turn left [Camelon Station].  Cross the next mini-roundabout (Home Bargains on left, Tenpin on right) and at the station fence turn right where there is ample car parking.  Parking is free.

The Walk:  Falkirk Loop – 7.1 miles (11 km)

From the station car park head south on pedestrian routes to the A803.  Turn right and cross at the pedestrian crossing and continue into Hamilton Street.  Where Hamilton Street meets Brown Street cross straight over the road and into a pedestrian lane which emerges at Wall Street.  Turn left and after about 150m turn right into Carmuirs Street.  After another 100m turn left into Carmuirs Avenue.  At the roundabout continue straight on and bear right to join the Forth and Clyde Canal towpath.  Keep to the north bank heading west.

At the Falkirk Wheel, cross the bridge to the south side of the canal and continue up to the Visitor Centre where there are café and toilet facilities.  Then continue up the path to the top of the Falkirk Wheel and admire the engineering.  Continue through the tunnel to emerge on the Union Canal towpath.  Follow the towpath on the north bank and continue past the Summerford Viaduct.  Where the main towpath does a dog leg to the right take a sharp left to go down hill to meet the Glenfuir Road.  Turn right under the railway and right again into Summerford Park.  After a stroll around the park, exit onto Summerford Road.  Turn right and at the junction with Windsor Road turn left and continue until it meets the Glenfuir Road.  Cross this road, and after crossing the Forth and Clyde Canal turn right to join the towpath on the north bank and head east.

Continue along the towpath going under the A803 and join the pavement of the A9.  After crossing the railway line descend to a pedestrian crossing point and cross the road.  Follow the path that veers right along the Mungal Burn.  At Cotland Way, cross the road and turn left (crossing the Mungal Burn) into Garbett Place and then immediately right onto a good path behind the housing.  Follow this path until a small play park and turn left (skirting the estate).  This path is of varying quality and can be wet and muddy at times.  Take the second path going left which leads into Campbell Christie Drive and continue south.  At the junction turn right and then left into Campbell Christie Crescent.  After about 50m take the path to the left which leads up to the cemetery.  Skirt the cemetery and descend to the boundary path of the playing fields.  The path exits onto Stirling Road.  Turn left under the railway bridge and keep to the left side of the road.  Just at the junction with Nailer Road take the upward path that doubles back to the left to cross the Stirling Road and return to the start point at the station car park.

Starting Point for the Walk:

At the South Beach Esplanade Car Park on Troon sea front – OS Reference NS 326 298.  Parking is free.  There is other parking available on the street (South Beach – B749) if the car park is full.

Getting there: 34 miles/42 minutes

Take your favourite route to the M77 towards Kilmarnock.  Continue onto the A77 and at Dutch House Roundabout take the third exit towards Irvine (A78).  At the Monktonhead Roundabout take the second exit towards Prestwick Airport (A79).  Having cleared the roundabout move to the righthand lane and continue indicating right.  Turn right towards Troon (B749).  Continue on this road and just past the 30mph signs the road turns 90° left.  Continue over the railway line and just as the road (B749) turns 90° right, to parrallel the seafront, turn left into the car park.

The Walk:  Troon to Prestwick to Troon – 7.9 miles (13 km) (Shorter option available)

This beach walk uses parts of the Smugglers’ Trail and the Ayrshire Coastal Path.

Exit the car park onto the esplanade and cross the sea wall onto the beach.  Turn left and follow the beach south.  Where the Pow Burn exits into the sea continue inland (but still on the beach) before climbing a few steps to join a well-defined path skirting the southern end of the Royal Troon Golf Course and passing the Prestwick Holiday Park.  Keep to the roadway past the entrance to the holiday park heading for a set of closed gates.  Just before the gates turn right through a wooden gate and right again to join another roadway.  Cross the bridge over the Pow Burn and veer right off the roadway to a signed rising pathway towards the dunes.  Continue over the dunes to join the beach once again and turn left.  At the water pumping station join the esplanade and continue around the bay until the esplanade comes to an end.  At this point, admire the views, turnaround and retrace the outward route.

If you wish a shorter walk of about 4 miles you can get the train back to Troon from Prestwick Town station.

Please park in the free car park at the beach by Ayr India, turning in right from Seafield Road. There are toilets close by but they accept cards only.

To get there
If you have one, set your SatNav for Seafield Road, Ayr.

Otherwise, take your favourite route to the M77/A77 towards Ayr and follow this to the Monkton Roundabout at Prestwick, turning left towards Ayr. At the roundabout with the A70 (with Dobbies Garden Centre on your left) turn right towards Ayr along Holmston Road. Take the first left along Hillfoot Road. Go straight across the A713 on to Belmont Road which becomes Ewenfield Road. At Monument Road turn right. Ignore Chapelpark Road directly opposite and Corsehill Park (1st left) and take the second left into Corsehill Road. This becomes Racecourse View, crosses the A719 at the Chestnuts Hotel, and continues into Seafield Road. Turn right at Ayr India and park (free). This is the route you will take back to Dobbies for our meal.

If you miss the left hand turn along Holmston Road, continue along the A70 and follow the signs to the “SEAFRONT”. At the junction with the A719 turn left and follow it south to the traffic lights with Seafield Road on the right and Racecourse View on the left. Turn right into Seafield Road.

The Walk
We begin our walk by returning to Seafield Road, crossing the A719 and immediately entering what was the Old Racecourse and is now playing fields at the corner of the A719 (Doonfoot Road) and Racecourse View. We take the red blaes path straight to the far corner and turn right following the rectangular shape of the park. At the southern end, the perimeter curves round to enter Belleise Park and, although there is a path across the golf course, out of courtesy we will continue until we meet a wide public track coming in from the left. This takes us past various golfing huts etc to a burnt-out hotel (on the right) where we turn sharp left. The path continues to be well-marked and trodden and leads directly to the B7024 which we cross carefully into Rozelle Park.

On entering Rozelle Park we take the second path on the left around a delightful duck pond. At the far end, just as it curves right to go back round the other side of the pond, there is a poppy enticing us into a number of paths which contain sculptures illustrating scenes from the 1st and 2nd War. We’ll meander here, allowing time to find the sculptures from the illustrated sheet (provided) and to take photos.

Following the path back to the duck pond, we continue around the duck pond to the main path and turn left towards the café, Art Gallery and toilets if required. We then continue straight on to the end of the park and turn left through a little woodland. At the end we turn right following the Slaphouse Burn, crossing the B road and following the same path to the A79. Here we turn right along the pavement and then take the cycle track along a disused railway towards the Burns Heritage Centre. This is on the left-hand side of the track and there is a cut-off leading to it. There is a shop, toilets, and a café if you prefer to eat at the Centre. The Centre is free. To eat a packed lunch, go straight through the Centre and the café, through the double glass doors and turn right at the play park towards ‘The Monument’. Go through a gate, across a church car park and turn left following the signs to the Monument. Find an attractive and, if necessary, dry place to eat. There are several alcoves and niches to explore.

After lunch, we’ll wander down to the Auld Brig and then come back along the small road alongside the River Doon to the Brig o’ Doon House Hotel. We turn right and cross the road to the Auld Kirk.

Unfortunately, the famous Tam o’ Shanter signs along the Poet’s Path towards Burns’ birthplace are being renovated but for the sake of completeness we’ll do a little loop around the ‘Wee, sleekit, cowrin, tim’rous beastie’ (marked on the map in red). At the end, we leave the path, come back down towards the Auld Kirk but cross the road and turn into Shanter Way. At the end there is a path that continues either along the River Doon (steep steps down and back up again) or along the top (no steps). We join up and follow the path round to what is now the Ayr Coastal Path and turn left. There is a pathway beside this busy road. At the A719, (opposite the Secret Garden) a path continues along the River Doon and emerges on the beach. Here we turn right and follow the beach back to the cars.

In the car park at the beginning you’ll be given a wee pack containing:

• Images of carvings from the First and Second World War to be found in Rozelle Park entitled ‘The Remembrance Trail’
• Images from around the Burns Heritage Centre and the Poet’s Path entitled ‘The Burns Heritage Centre”
• Extracts from ‘Tam o’ Shanter’ with images from the Poet’s Path, sadly removed for refurbishing.

After trying various restaurants in Ayr which seemed prohibitively expensive, we are booked for something to eat in Dobbies which is at least very good value even if the ambience is lacking. You’ll be asked to sign the menu in the carpark and I’ll phone in choices and numbers. At least it’s on the way home!

Starting Point for the Walk:
Park at the car park close to the Pilot House (a rather obvious white square structure) towards the end of the quay at Irvine harbour.

Getting there: 34 miles / 45 minutes
Take your favourite route out of Glasgow and head for the M77/A77 towards Kilmarnock. Leave the A77 at the Bellfield Interchange (signed Irvine A71).  Just before the roundabout note the local signage and exit the busy roundabout towards Crosshouse.  Note the speed restriction on this road!  Continue on the A71 and cross the Warrix Interchange (signed Harbourside).  At the next roundabout go left towards the Rivergate Centre.  At the next roundabout go left (signed Harbourside) and continue on the A737.  At the car dealership turn right at the mini roundabout into Heatherhouse Road which becomes Portland Road.  At the Portland Roundabout take the second exit into Beach Drive.  Turn right into any of the entrances to the parking area and head towards the Pilot House.  Parking is free.

The Walk:  Irvine-Barassie Loop – 9.5 miles (15 km)
Please note:

1. For those wishing a shorter walk (about 4 miles) return to Irvine by train from Barassie.
2. The walk makes use of cycle tracks so please take care and be observant – not every cyclist has a bell!!
3. Toilets should be available near the Pilot House and in Barassie (750 metres south of Hillhouse Road).
4. Bring a towel if you want to have a paddle!

The walk starts by descending the steps at the end of the quay onto Irvine beach.   Usually this stretch of beach is a pleasant meander towards Barassie, with the dunes on the left and the sea on the right.  At Barassie turn left up Hillhouse Road and under the railway line.  Barassie station is on the right.  Trains run approximately every half hour back to Irvine.

Continue past the station and bear left across a small open grassed area into Whins Road.  Then turn left into Lang Road, left into North Neuk and onto to a connecting pathway.  At College Park go left and take another connecting path into Plateau Drive and another link into Citadel Way.  Then turn left into Lochgreen Avenue and at the turning area take the rising path and exit left onto a short stretch of pavement to cross a railway line.  After about 100 metres cross the road carefully (it can be busy at times) and take the downward path under the A78.  Continue on this path, crossing a railway line at a gated crossing, and bear left to pick up a now abandoned road towards the paper mill.  Just before the boundary to the mill turn right into Shewalton Wood (Scottish Wildlife Trust).  Follow the path through the reserve and exit right (at the north side of the paper mill) and cross the road.  Continue along the pavement beside Meadowhead Road and, after about 100 metres, turn left and continue on another good path past a loch on the right.  Cross the A78 again, this time using the footbridge.  On meeting a road (Auchengate) cross it carefully and take the pavement on the other side of the road.  Follow this pathway round to the left as the road approaches the roundabout.  Continue on this path until a car park on Marine Drive.  Turn left through this car park to join a path through the dunes.  This leads back onto Irvine beach for the final kilometre of the walk.