Starting Point for the Walk:

The Loans Inn, Main Street, Loans near Troon.

Getting there: 34 miles / 43 minutes

Take your favourite route out of Glasgow to the M8 (Greenock) and leave at Junction 22 onto M77 (Kilmarnock).  At the Dutch House Roundabout, keep to the righthand lane and take the 3^rd exit onto A78 (Irvine).  At the Monktonhead Roundabout take the 3^rd exit keeping on the A78 (Greenock/Irvine).  At the first exit, leave the A78 onto the B746 (Loans).  Having entered Loans, go straight ahead at the traffic lights and continue along Main Street.  The Loans Inn is on the left.  Turn immediately before the Inn to access the parking area behind the Inn.  Coffee is available in the Loans Inn before the walk.

 The Walk:  Loans Circular & Smuggler’s Trail – 6.1 miles (10 km)

From the Loans Inn car park turn left onto the main road, and after a short distance turn left into Seaview Terrace.  Leave Seaview Terrace by taking a tarmac footpath between two fields… (two bollards at start of footpath) and enter the Muirhead area.  At end of the footpath continue into North Drive.  At a footbridge, cross the Darley Burn and follow the path that crosses Troon Darley Golf Course.  The footpath enters a wooded area before reaching a tarmac cycle path.  Turn left onto cycle path and follow this until reaching the Dundonald Road.  Cross the road and turn right onto the pavement and head towards the sea.  There is a golf course on the left-hand side.  Take the first left into Harling Drive and as the road bends left, pass the clubhouse, and turn right under the railway bridge (at Troon Station) into Victoria Drive and continue until the beach.

At the promenade, turn left and walk along the beach.  Having passed the Royal Troon Golf Club, continue until a waymarked-sign points inland to a path which crosses the golf course.  This is the part of the Smuggler’s Trail.  Follow this path, which crosses the Troon Old and Troon Portland courses, to reach a pedestrian footbridge across the railway line.  Cross the bridge and turn left onto the footpath and after a very short distance turn right onto another footpath.  The Troon Lochgreen course is on the left.  Continue on the Smuggler’s Trail, crossing Southwood Road, and continue through South Wood.  Passing the Lochgreen House Hotel on the left, pass through a gate, before crossing the busy Monktonhill Road (B749).  Continue on the Smuggler’s Trail round the right-hand side of the ruined Crosbie Kirk and follow the trail which opens out onto a tarmac road with Marr Rugby Football Club and training fields on the right-hand side.  Follow the road and then turn left onto a signed bridle path and continue until it reaches a tarmac path marked by bollards.  Turn right and follow a path, alongside a wall with a fence atop, until reaching another set of bollards at a tarmac road.  Follow the waymarked Smuggler’s Trail, crossing a footbridge over the Darley Burn to join a narrow footpath with a field on the left.  This broadens into a wider path that leads to the B746.  Turn left and follow the pavement back to the starting point at the Loans Inn.

This circular winter walk takes us to the old mining village of Annbank in Ayrshire. The walk starts from the village bowling green and heads north to Brockle Wood before entering the Auchincruive Estate and heading to the River Garden. After looping through the estate, we pass Auchincruive House (designed for the Oswald family by Robert Adam around 1764 but substantially modified before being built) before descending to join the River Ayr for a pleasant return walk to Annbank and the starting point.

Starting Point for the Walk:

In Brocklehill Avenue, Annbank, Ayrshire.  Park adjacent to the Annbank Bowling Club – OS Reference NS 407 233.  Alternatively, park on Weston Avenue.

Getting there: 36 miles/50 minutes

Take your favourite route out of Glasgow to join the M8 (south) and exit onto M77 (Kilmarnock).  At Fenwick continue onto A77 until the roundabout at Sandyford Toll.  Take the 1^st exit onto A719 but continue onto B742 (Mossblown).  At the off-set crossroads in Mossblown cross the B743 and continue on the B742 (Annbank).  After a sweeping lefthand bend and just before the railway bridge, turn right into Annbank (B744).  Continue for a few hundred metres and turn right into Brocklehill Avenue.

The Walk:  Annbank to Auchincruive Circular – 4.4 miles (7 km)

Head in a north westerly direction from Annbank Bowling Club taking a small path at the end of Brocklehill Avenue.  The path leads downhill through woodland and into Brockle Wood.  Bear right where a track and path meet and at a junction of paths turn left into Brockle Wood.  Then follow the path by the stream to the left and follow this pleasant route through woodland.  Continue on this path, veering away from the stream by ignoring a path to the left.  After a short distance take another path to the left that descends to the River Ayr below.  At the bottom, pass through a stone wall into the Auchincruive Estate.  Continue along this often-muddy path until the River Garden.  Turn right through a gate and head for The Bothy Café where there are toilet facilities.

Head west from the café and exit the River Garden through a walled gateway.  Take this hedged broad pathway past the croquet lawn which overlooks the rear of Auchincruive House (previously known as Oswald Hall).  At the crossing of paths continue straight ahead and follow a grassy path past an expanse of water on the right.  The path passes near an area of estate buildings and Oswald’s Temple before joining the main roadway into the Estate from the north.  Turn left and follow this roadway down past the front of Auchincruive House continuing down the old drive until reaching the locked gates close to Oswald’s Bridge.  Go through a pedestrian gate on the left and turn left onto the riverside path.  Keeping the River Ayr on the right, continue along the path until the River Garden.  Turn left, and instead of heading for the Bothy Café, turn right and at the edge of the garden, pass a house before exiting onto a driveway and turning right.  Go through the gate on the left and follow the rising path through woodland.  Keep to the rising path and ignore paths coming in from the left.  Continue on this path until it joins a track coming in from the left.  Turn right and after passing the descending path on the right (that was used on the outward route) bear left into woodland (a blue arrow sign indicating the way) and retrace the outward route back to the cars.

Starting Point for the Walk:

Burns Cottage Car Park, Alloway, Ayrshire – OS Reference NS 333 185.

Getting there: 40 miles / 50 minutes

Take your favourite route out of Glasgow onto the M8 (Greenock).  Exit onto the M77 (Kilmarnock) and continue south on the M77/A77 until Holmston Roundabout on the outskirts of Ayr.  Then follow the signs for Stranraer and Alloway (A77).  At the next roundabout (Bankfield) follow the signs for Stranraer (A77).  Turn right off the A77 (signed Alloway/Doonfoot/Heads of Ayr).  There is also a brown tourist sign for Robert Burns Birthplace Museum.  Follow Doonholm Road until a small roundabout and turn right (2^nd exit) and follow this to the junction with the B7024.  Then turn left and at the mini-roundabout turn right into Greenfield Avenue and then after about 100m turn right into Burns Cottage car park.  Closest train station is in Ayr, with local bus services to Burns cottage.

The Walk: 

Alloway Loop – 5 miles (8 km) – Flat

From the car park next to Burns Cottage, cross the road and follow the “Poet’s Path” in the direction of Robert Burns Birthplace Museum.  The Path has ten weather vanes and sculptures depicting scenes from Robert Burn’s poem Tam O’ Shanter.  Cross over the wooden bridge and turn right at the museum heading towards the Auld Kirk.  Toilets are available in the museum.  The graveyard at the Auld Kirk dates from 1516 and contains the grave of Robert Burn’s father.  The graveyard was also the setting for the dancing witches in Tam O’ Shanter.

From the Auld Kirk, cross over the road and turn right along the pavement towards the Burns National Monument and gardens.  There is a nice garden to explore and excellent views from the top of the monument.  There will be time to listen to Tam O’ Shanter in another outbuilding where the statues of Tam and Souter Johnny are on display.

Crossing over the Brig O’ Doon, take the path which leads towards the main road and then turn right and then left onto Longhill Avenue.  Travel along Longhill Avenue and take the steps on the right, down onto the tree-lined cycle path.  Turn right and follow the path over the River Doon.  Mungo’s Well is on the north bank on the left.

Continue on the cycle path and at Maybole Road turn left.  After 150m turn left into Kersepark and then right into Pemberton Valley.  Opposite Broadwood Park turn right into a narrow lane that leads into woodland.  Joining the woodland path, turn left and follow the path towards Rozelle Park.  Cross The Loaning and continue into the park.  Take the path to the left leading to Rozelle House and the Maclaurin Gallery.  Wander around the park to take in the sculptures, the Story Stroll and the pond before heading back to the car park.

Doune is one of those Scottish towns that we have driven through numerous times, but never visited!

The walk  starts  close to the site of the former Doune Railway Station and heads past the nearby Doune Ponds then meanders through some lovely woodland. In due course you pick up a section of the former ‘Callander & Oban Railway’ for a couple of miles. After walking through the eastern side of the town, you pass through the grounds of Doune Castle before picking up a path along the River Teith. The final couple of miles include some more woodland and open countryside.

Starting Point for the Walk:

Doune Ponds Car Park, Doune – OS Reference NN 725 019 [Sat Nav: FK16 6EH].

Getting there: 36 miles/45 minutes

Take your favourite route to the M80 (Stirling).  Exit M80 at Junction 10 (Doune [A84]).  In Doune (on the A84) take a right turn [Town Centre/Doune Castle] onto the A820 (Balkerach Street).  Almost immediately after joining the A820, take a left turn onto Station Wynd and continue past Pistolmakers Row for about 100m before turning left into Doune Ponds Car Park.

Toilets are available at Stirling Services (M80, Junction 9, FK7 8EU), approximately 40 minutes drive from Glasgow.

The Walk:  Doune Loop – 7.5 miles (12 km)

The walk starts at the Doune Ponds, a 40-acre Nature Reserve (which was previously a gravel and sand quarry), by following a network of paths through the woodland that surrounds Doune Ponds.  The route eventually leaves the woodland via a steep hillside climb that takes about 5 minutes.  Soon after reaching the highest point in this locality, there are good views across the town of Doune.  Then follow a network of paths and quiet country lanes through the countryside to the NE of Doune.

In due course, pick up a faint path through a small area of dense woodland – this leads onto a former railway line.  Follow the old railway line in a westerly direction for about 1.25 miles then head in a southerly direction, through a park, past the kirk then through a housing estate.  A few minutes after passing the housing estate, reach the grounds of Doune Castle.  Skirt around the east side of the Castle and pick up a path that runs along the side of Ardoch Burn.  After about 0.25 mile, the Ardoch Burn joins the River Teith.  At this point, turn right and follow a path that heads in a WNW direction alongside the River Teith.  After about 0.5 mile turn left onto the A84, then cross the road to join a footpath to rejoin the river.  Take care when crossing the busy A84.

Continue through an area of woodland that runs alongside the River Teith, which soon leads to a path on the right and a gentle climb away from the River Teith.  The final 1.5 miles is along a path and farm access track which leads to the west end of Doune.  After about 1 mile, cross the A84 again and then head into an area of woodland at the southern edge of Doune Ponds.  Rejoin the outgoing route to end up back at the Doune Ponds Car Park.

Starting at the railway station in Bridge of Allan, the destination is Dumyat (418m) where, weather dependent, there should be good views. Those wishing a shorter walk can opt for a smaller loop which excludes the climb to the Dumyat peak. The walk passes
through a variety of landscapes. This walk starts and ends in Bridge of Allan and is a moderate 8.3 mile loop.

Starting Point for the Walk:

Bridge of Allan station – OS Reference NS 785 977.

Getting there: 33 miles/41 minutes

Take your favourite route to the M80 towards Stirling and continue onto the M9 towards Perth.  Leave the M9 at Junction 11 and at the roundabout take the fourth exit (A9) to Bridge of Allan.  At the entrance sign to Bridge of Allan, note the Railway Station sign above the hedge on the right.  Continue slowly to the first mini-roundabout and turn right.  Note that there are no signs to the station.  Enter the station car park.  If you miss the first roundabout there is a second round-about at which you can do a U-turn and approach the first one and see signs to the station.

The Walk:  Bridge of Allan/Black Hill Loop – 7.5 miles (12km) (Shorter option available)

From the railway platform ascend the steps to the main road and turn left past the two mini roundabouts and after 100m, on the left, coffee and toilets are available at the Railway Café.  Continue down the main street and note The Westerton Arms pub on the right.  Turn left and after 20m turn left on a path marked “Mine Woods via Lovers Leap”.  Keeping to the right and ascend slowly to a grassy field and narrow road.  Crossing the road and turning right the path parallels the road to a four-way junction.  Turn left up a path with a big sign “Coppermine” – unfortunately this sign is about 10m up the path and not easy to see from the junction.  Now go slowly and steadily up a fairly steep path on the side of the hill.  Passing Wolfshole Quarry on the left approach a steep set of steps which can be bypassed to the left by an excellent path.  After 700m arrive at a minor road and turn left.  Ignore a road on the left and after 100m turn right on a path guarded by a green bar.  This path gently climbs up to Cocksburn Reservoir.  Continue to the right along the reservoir and at the end take a right fork with fences and a wall on the right.  The path eventually leads to a metal gate and a minor road (the historic Sheriffmuir Road).  Turn left and after 100m turn right onto open ground.

Option A:  Take main path for good views across the Forth and descend a good path on right to a break in the wall.

Option B:  Take the path on the right (heading for the edge of a wood on the right) that leads to a break in the wall.

Once through the wall turn left down a lovely path which continues down through a rhododendron tunnel passing a fence on the right.  At the end of the fence turn right and after 100m cross a burn to arrive at a minor road.  Turn right uphill round two hairpin bends to a locked gate which may be bypassed by a narrow path behind the fence to the left of the gate.  Keeping left, the path broadens and goes downhill to reach a track which follows the boundary wall of Stirling University.  Arrive again at the Sheriffmuir Road and turn left.  On the Sheriffhall Road turn right after 20m and the path wends its way through housing, then between high fences, to join another access road (Pathfoot Drive).  After 50m cross straight ahead near to broken down brown double gates and along another path between garden walls and fences.  After 100m this joins another access road.  Turn left and then right at the letter box along a main residential road (Kenilworth Road).  Proceed along Kenilworth Road for 400m and look carefully on the left for a path between garden walls (nearly opposite #13 “LIKARA”).  Take this path down 86 steps and turn sharp right.  After 400m arrive at Well Road and follow left until junction with Henderson Street.  Turn right and return to the station.

 

Starting near Kilmahog the walk heads gently uphill winding its way through woodland and culminating in views over Loch Lubnaig which lies between Ben Ledi and Ben Vorlich.  The path then strikes inland and up the Stank Glen.  After traversing the stream the path returns on the north side of the glen and descends towards Loch Lubnaig (the name derives from the Gaelic word meaning ‘crooked’).  Close to the shoreline the path picks up the course of the old Callander and Oban Railway line for the return journey to the starting point.

If you wish to be more adventurous you may want to return on another occasion to take the path up to Ben Ledi which has featured in many photos from past walks.

Starting Point:
The starting point is at OS Reference NN 607 080 which is the Forestry Commission car park adjacent to Bochastle Hill near Kilmahog.

Callander FK17 8HA, UK

Getting there:  45 miles/60 minutes
Take your favourite route out of Glasgow to join the M8 towards Edinburgh.  Exit M8 at Junction 13 onto the M80 (Stirling).  Exit M80 onto M9 (Stirling).  Option [1]: exit at Junction 10 onto A84 and *continue through Doune and Callander to Kilmahog and turn left onto A821.  After about 350m turn right onto a gravel roadway flanked by Bochastle Forestry Commission signs.  Option [2]: continue to the roundabout (Junction 11) and take first exit onto B824.  At the T junction turn left (A820) towards Doune.  Continue through Doune and turn right onto A84 and *continue as above.  Parking is free.

The Walk:  The Stank Glen – 10.0 miles
From the north end of the car park take the path/Land Rover Track (LRT) that gently climbs and winds its way through the forest.  Views over Loch Venachar, to the southwest, should be available from the path.  The LRT crests at a height of about 250m from which there should also be good views, to the north, over Loch Lubnaig.  At a crossroads of paths continue onwards (turn left to climb Ben Ledi or *right for a short cut down to the old railway line).  When the LRT joins another LRT turn sharp left and follow this uphill.  *For another shorter option turn right and follow the LRT down to the cycle path by Loch Lubnaig and turn right.  Ignore paths/LRTs on both left and right.  When the path/LRT bends left it is entering Stank Glen with Ben Ledi high up on the left.  Follow the path/LRT deep into the glen (ignoring a short link path on the right that avoids the glen) and as the path turns right to return on the north side of the glen it crosses the Stank Burn and passes Old Shielings.  Ignore the short link path (now on the right) and follow the LRT as it gently descends towards Loch Lubnaig.  Ignore the LRT that comes in from the right and continue in a northerly direction.  The LRT does a 180˚ loop to the right close to Tom Bheithe before finally descending to Loch Lubnaig.  Turn right and join the route of the old Oban and Callander Railway line which is now National Cycle Route 7.  Follow this cycle path for about 5km, passing the Falls of Leny.  Turn right when the cycle paths meets the A821 and follow the path, adjacent to the road, back to the car park entrance and follow the LRT to the parking area.

Park wherever you can find a space in Callander.

The Walk: you may find it helpful to purchase a copy of the map of the excellent way-marked paths around Callander from the Tourist Information Centre or downloaded from the website. The ‘coloured dots’ in the notes below refer to this map.

UK

Begin by walking along the Main Street towards Stirling etc. and continuing past the junction for the road up to the Bracklinn Falls on the left and the Roman Camp Hotel on the right. A little further on a sign post directs you down a narrow path (blue dots on the map) which soon opens out, undulates along a low ridge and then makes down to the river. The stretch along the river is lovely. Continue along the very good path, past an information board and platform for fishermen, to where the path is forced inland up a set of steps, across a field and on to the main road at a bus stop. There are pedestrian traffic lights to allow you to continue up a track on to the old railway line. At the junction, you turn right (white markers on the map).

It is possible to opt out here by turning left and walking back along the railway line to Callander.

Turn right here and walk to the last in a row of houses on the right. Here there is a clear path on the left which leads up to the woods and saves a trek to the next corner and turning back. Cross an old wall and join a good path that continues northward, crosses another old wall and joins the golf course. We’re asked to skirt around the Greens. At Green 14 the path is indistinct but keep going and it soon re-emerges through some trees. Keep on the path, around the Greens, sometimes through attractive clumps of trees.

At Green 7, where you’re asked to wait until the bell has been rung, there is a lovely path going off to the right in the direction you’re coming from, i.e. on the right hand side of the path across from the bench and the notice. Follow this as it climbs gently and eventually emerges on the Bracklinn Falls Road where you turn left.

It is possible to opt out here by continuing down the road to the Main Road and turning right into Callander.

Continue down the road (White dots on a yellow road.) At the blue Parking sign, turn right and at the gate take the lower red-and-brown dotted route through the forest. At a viewpoint, a post with a red marker goes up hill, but you go left downhill. There are some very slippery boards here! Avoid! This path comes down to Tulipan Crescent.

It is possible to opt out here by turning left, going through the car park at the back of the Dreadnought Hotel and into the Main Road.

However, you turn right in Tulipan Crescent and go down to cross the main road (A84) and pick up the railway going in the opposite direction (red dots). Follow this old track all the way to Kilmahog where you cross the A821 but take the path immediately on the left rather than continuing to Strathyre. Follow this up to a second car park but continue on through a gate on to an excellent Woodlands Trust path above the road but well below Samson’s Stone. It comes down to the A821, crosses it and makes for the River Leny at Invertrossachs Bridge. Once across, turn left to the car-park at Coilhallon Woods. Here you have a choice:

You can turn left here on the lower path, (along a white un-dotted route) and wander along a lovely path, round a lochan and into Callander Holiday Park. Wander through the site (even in winter) to the gate at the end and down on to the Invertrossachs Road.  The road comes out at a little roundabout where the A81 goes left and up the hill to Callander. It’s much prettier and just about the same distance to turn right and go up the road to just before McLaren High School and Leisure Centre. Turn left and go down to a park, zig-jag on through the park to the pedestrian bridge across the River Leny and then on to the other side and up to the main road.

Alternatively, the main route takes the second track on the left and climbs a little up through the woods with excellent views across the hills. At a sign-posted junction  turn left and come down to a gap in the wall and the A81. Cross and follow the route above.

Again, this is the simplest of walks beginning and ending at a (very large) car-park. The full length is about 9 miles but those not going over Tom Buidhe can turn back whenever they feel like it and make for the Hotspots of Helensburgh. It will be obvious from the drive to the starting point that the car does all the hard work on this walk, although ‘The Yankee Road’ which you follow there and back, undulates a bit. If you ignore Faslane below the car park and the Military area on your right, the great advantage of this walk is the (hopefully) wonderful views of Gare Loch, Loch Long and Loch Goil and the even more spectacular views of the Arrochar Alps: Ben Ime, Ben Narnain and Ben Arthur (The Cobbler). There are lots more knobbly bits like Caisteal Dubh and Beinne Raithe. Never mind the names, the overall views are lovely and with easy walking you can actually look at them! The surface is too good at the beginning (metalled), and very good throughout. This is yet another section of Three Lochs Way!

Your turning point is the iconic wooden hut where the men slept who built the “Gurkha Bato”, a road constructed in 2009 by the men of 70 Gurkha Field Support Squadron to provide a route across the dangerously boggy ground just south of the railway underbridge. The new bridge across the Glen Mallan Burn bears a small plaque in memory of Dave Markland who did the early project management work on the “Gurkha Bato”, Sadly, Dave lost his life in Afghanistan not long after.

Park in the ample space on the ‘Yankee Road’ over-looking Gare Loch

For once these notes start by suggesting how NOT to go! If you set your Sat-Nav for Garelochhead it will, quite rightly, take you up Loch Lomondside, ignore the A818 to Helensburgh, but take you on to Shemore to the A817. This new road, built by the Americans when enlarging Coulport, is more direct, more beautiful and lands you right at the start of the walk. Unfortunately it also by-passes two sets of toilets which, since there are no toilets on arrival, are pretty necessary!

So, don’t use your Satnav but take the A82, (Great Western Road) as usual, (Boulevard, Dumbarton, up Loch Lomondside). Beyond the huge roundabout with the flying geese (or whatever?)  at Balloch, continue on up past the Duck Bay Marina and then at the next roundabout, at Arden, turn left on the A818. This good road takes you to a roundabout where you turn left continuing on the A818. You’ll come into Helensburgh, go straight down the hill, across the A814 (the Shore Road) and into the huge pier car-park. Turn right in the car-park to go in front of the Swimming Pool. The toilets are very obvious in front of you, just where you’ll exit back on to the A814.

Exit from the car-park on to the A814 and turn left along the front in Helensburgh. Continue through Shandon etc. to Rhu where there is another toilet block on the seaward side and a small bus bay where you can park. The continue past the Peace Camp on your right and Faslane on your left.

At the roundabout with the High Security entrance to the Naval Base on your left, and Garelochhead and Kilcreggan straight on, DON’T go into Garelochhead. Instead take the third exit on your right, signposted to Arrochar.

At the next roundabout, ignore the road to Arrochar and Coulport on your left and take the right-hand road signposted Balloch with a huge brown Tourist Board sign pointing to Loch Lomond.

Drive up and up and up this road and when you see a sign on your left saying “Cross Roads’ and ‘Danger Military Vehicles Turning’ and a big exclamation mark, slow down and turn left along an open tarmac road. Ignore the first space, go through the gate (I think it’s a gate) and park along the left-hand side looking down on Garelochhead and Loch Long. This is probably the most beautiful car park we’ve ever parked in!

Helensburgh G84, UK

The walk

Simply set off along the metalled track, high above Loch Long and always looking towards the mountains. After about two miles, the tarmac ends at a gate and you’re on to much more pleasant walking, still easy, but with earth beneath your feet. At a pleasant junction, the main path goes straight on but those who would like to climb higher turn right here and go over the side of Tom Buidhe. There are good views from the top –including The Sleeping Warrior on Arran.)

On the way down, DON’T take the path to the right, signposted Arrochar along the Three Lochs Way. This is too far for one day. Instead, turn left and go down very steeply to the unmistakable ‘Gurko Bato’. If you have continued on the LRT, ignoring Tom Buidhe you may turn back here ; or you may go on a little to wave your red flannel petticoats at the trains which are just below you. You can get nearer to the trains where an alternative (and very-muddy-on-the-reccé-path) goes under the railway!

The promenade and cycle track are metalled, and the remainder of the paths are firm and well-beaten. Note that the path around Greenan Castle may be tide-bound if it’s a particularly high tide but there’s a clear inland route either just before the castle, which joins the cycle way, or up and over the castle.   That’s all the bad news! Otherwise, this is a lovely stretch along the sea front, beginning a few yards into ‘The Lang Scots’ Mile’ and making for the most romantic ruin of Greenan Castle. At the very start, Ailsa Craig is just in sight, soon to be hidden from view by the Heads of Ayr. You should see Arran and Holy Isle and you could have lunch at the Burns museum before following a most attractive path down Slaphouse Burn and through Rozelle and Belleisle Parks back to the seafront.

Park either at the Cromwell Road car park at the north (River Ayr) end of the promenade or anywhere along the promenade.  There are toilets in  Pavilion Road at the start of the walk and, in summer, by the Indian Restaurant.

Ayr, South Ayrshire, UK

To get there

Begin by taking your favourite route to the Kingston Bridge and the M77 where it’s a straightforward journey down the M77, following the signs to Ayr, to the Prestwick Roundabout, (take the dedicated lane to Ayr on what is now the A77); on through the next roundabout to Whitlett’s Roundabout. Here there are eventually four lanes, two outer (on the left) going on to Stranraer and two going half-way round the roundabout towards the Ayr Town Centre. The two lanes going towards the Town Centre take you down Main Road/ Whitletts Road/King Street but there are parked cars on the inner lane so  keep in the right lane. Go past the new race course, straight on at the traffic lights at Craigie Road and down to a huge roundabout with the A79 with TK Max in the corner. Go straight over here and down King Street to what is actually a T junction but you wind left across the bridge over the River Ayr and along the Sandgate with shops on either side. Continue over an awkward roundabout until you see Wellington Square on your right with a War Memorial Garden and the Council Offices beyond. Go on down past these imposing buildings to the sea front. Just past ‘The Pirates Ship’ on the left are the Pavilion Road toilets. If you don’t need these immediately, turn right along the sea front and then third right, just past the Horizon Hotel. This is Cromwell Street. Turn left into the car park. This may be full on weekdays but emptier on Saturdays and Sundays.

Your walk begins by getting on to the sea front where, depending on where you’ve parked, you’ll pick up the ‘footprint signs’ for ‘The Lang Scots’ Mile’. Greenan Castle looks some distance away but, in fact, it takes no time to reach the ‘new’ bridge across the River Doon.

Try to walk along the sea edge here – maybe even around the castle itself , but if it’s a very high tide, you may have to keep inland. In this case, the path you need goes off to the left just before the path takes to the shore around Greenan castle. An old cottage is clearly visible directly in line with the path.  Within 20 metres you will come to a mesh fence which is easily crossed.  Go straight ahead towards the cottage and after 10 metres the path will be clearly visible.  At the cycle track turn right and you’ll come to the route below.

However, If you’re doing this at low tide, keep walking right around the castle to the little cove where the Deil’s Rocks point out to sea and find a good track going up on the left towards Greenan Farm. Take the track up towards the farm, and then on to the A719, turning right where the cycle track forks. A dog-leg to the left takes you across the road and on to the old railway which runs for 1½ miles through not unattractive countryside. You might want to leave it at the Burns Museum possibly to eat but also for toilets.

After a break here, follow the road for a few yards to regain the old railway to Maybole Road where you turn left, again for a few yards. Just before Slaphouse Burn there’s a wicket gate leading on to a lovely path beside the burn which you follow, across Loaning Road, and on to Rozelle Park. You can divert left here to follow the track down to Rozelle House (with a toilet with a radar key) and pop into a little sculpture park on the left, and duck ponds on the right (just to get full value) before exiting through the main entrance on to Monument Road.

Here you turn right and then left into Belleisle Park. At the main house turn right to follow the path past the temporary café. You’ll come to a fairway. One way or another you have to cross over to the boundary wall beyond. If there are no golfers on the fairway go straight across. If this looks dodgy, turn left on a good track and where the fairway narrows, cross to a path beside the wall which runs back up to the right through a line of trees.

Either way follow the path to the old race course and go right round emerging on Racecourse Road. Continue down to the sea front the toilets at Blackburn Drive. After that, it’s a slog along the promenade to the car!