Drow 'n' Smirr

9.12 miles 4h 58m ascent 109m

Dunure Harbour-The River Ayr

Yonder are the heights of Arran towering from the glistening bay; nearer are the Heads of Ayr, and the old Castle of Greenan standing out on the verge of the wave.

A Adamson. Rambles through the land of Burns 1879.

This was to be our final section of Ayr’s Coastal Path since the aim was to plug the gap between our Galloway Coastal Walk and the River Ayr Way which we had done in 2023 and 2020 respectively. Autumn was upon us, the weather wetter, the winds more chill, so we decided to get on with the walk before things got worse. And it would be a day to remember. The day I used my bus-pass for the first time. We drove to Ayr, parked up then took the 361 to Dunure. Because of this we didn’t take the dogs with us.

6.99 miles 3h 37min ascent 208m

Maidens-Dunure

Be ye Man – or Bairn – or Wumman,
Be ye gaun – or be ye comin,
For Scotland’s Pride – no Scotland’s shame,
Gether yer litter – an tak it Hame!

The Ayrshire Coastal Path

Beaches, two castles, an archaic doocot and Victorian limekilns, a summerhouse, walled garden, alpacas, swans, a ringed plover and a willow kraken, standing stones, sunshine, a race with the tide, and no main roads. What a day.

8.24 miles 4h 46min ascent 68m

Girvan Mains – Maidens

Much of the 8.24-mile journey from Girvan Mains to Maidens is actual beach walking and offers ample time to soak in the beauty of the Ayrshire coast, with its dramatic cliffs, secluded coves, and vast stretches of sandy beach. Keep an eye out for Ailsa Craig, a volcanic island that rises majestically from the sea, and Turnberry Lighthouse, a historic landmark that has guided ships for centuries. Pause to reflect at the Turnberry War Memorial, a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made during wartime. And don’t miss the ancient Standing Stone on Bain’s Hill, a mysterious relic that whispers tales of the past.

7.58 miles 3h 55m ascent 153m

Lendalfoot-Girvan Mains

Many years ago, a small island was discovered off the south west coast of Scotland by a group of fairies who were on their way to the mainland.

The fairies were blown off course during a fierce storm and found shelter on this small island.

The Queen fairy, who was called Elizabeth. loved this island so much that she asked the other fairies if they would like to make the island their new home.and of course they all agreed! The Queen fairy named the island ‘Ailsa Craig’ which also means Elizabeth’s rock or fairy rock.

During this storm, a small group of fairies also made it to the mainland and stumbled upon some magic steps at McCreath Park. The fairies decided to make this area their home as they too fell in love with this beautiful place.

Legend has it that the fairies can be seen in the dark of the night. glistening in the moonlight. flying back and forth to the Ailsa Craig to visit their friends..and if you are very lucky. you might hear them chatting and giggling on a still summers day as they secretly go about their business.

South Ayrshire Council

7.18 miles 3h 19m ascent 118m

Ballantrae-Lendalfoot

Trudge: V. (intr) to walk laboriously, wearily or without spirit but steadily and persistently (Orig. obsc)

The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary

This word accompanied my thoughts as I walked, and re-appeared as I reflected on the day. I had assumed it to be a lexical blend of tread and drudge, but with each step on the beach I began to wonder if it might be onomatopoeic. The internet, with its limitless supply of unproven etymologies, suggested an origin in Scandinavian words, such as trudja, snowshoes, so perhaps I’m not the only one to associate crunch and trudge.

The weather had been lovely for several days but we arrived to grey skies, rain and blustery winds. On a better day we would have savoured the views and given the hedgerows the attention they deserved. We might not have been quite so put out by walking beside a main road and could have enjoyed our lunch in the open air.

Instead. We trudged.

9.54 miles 4h 21m ascent 209m

Glen App Kirk- Ballantrae

This was our first section of the Ayrshire Coastal Way, taking us from Glen App Kirk over hills and across moors to Ballantrae and the River Stinchar. Nine and a half miles, but 15.3 miles according to my GPS tracker which seemed to think I had gone across Loch Ryan. There are two options for this section: one takes a “Clifftop route” between the Shallochwreck Burn and Downan point, while the other, the “Scenic route” meanders along farm tracks and (very) minor roads about a kilometre inland. I would usually have chosen the clifftop option but some descriptions I had read suggested it was closed, while others painted a disconcerting picture of electric fences and dangerous paths needed to avoid bulls etc. What with having the dogs with us it seemed prudent to choose the Scenic Route.