Author Archives: drow 'n smirr

Ayrshire Coastal Path: 6 – Sandblown beaches, a Brig o’ Doon and Ayr’s Esplanade

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 … Continue reading

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Ayrshire Coastal Path: 5 – castles, cephalopods and country parks

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 … Continue reading

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Ayrshire Coastal Path: 4 – beaches, burns and bull pens

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 … Continue reading

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Ayrshire Coastal Path: 3 – a very British picnic

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 … Continue reading

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Ayrshire Coastal Path: 2 – beaches, barriers and braying bovines

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 … Continue reading

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The Last of the Long Field Hills

2.29 miles 1h 15min ascent 75m Little Auchenfad Hill Auchenfad, achadh fada, means the long field, which I take to be the land bounded by Craigbill and Auchenfad Hills to the north, and Trostan and Little Auchenfad Hills to the … Continue reading

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Auchengray Hill – one of Monica’s neighbours

2.21 miles 1h 44m ascent 132m I have seen two suggested origins for the name Auchengray. Field of the moor or field of the herd. Auchen is common in place names, almost certainly coming from achadh, ‘field’ and an/na ‘the’; … Continue reading

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Ayrshire Coastal Path: 1 – fairy foxgloves and standing stones

9.54 miles 4h 21m ascent 209m Glen App Kirk- Ballantrae Behind yon hills where Stinsiar flows,‘Mang moors an’ mosses many, O Robert Burns This was our first section of the Ayrshire Coastal Way, taking us from Glen App Kirk over … Continue reading

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