River Ayr Walk- 11-12th May 2011

I was on holiday for a few days and had planned to do this walk this year, so I thought there was nothing like the present…!.

Background: Website

The River Ayr Way is Scotland’s first source to sea path network. It covers a distance of 44 miles following the river Ayr from its source at Glenbuck Loch to the sea at Ayr. The route passes through one of the most interesting river valleys in Southern Scotland and unlike many other long distance routes it can be walked over a weekend or a long weekend making it an ideal short break activity for visitors to Ayrshire..

The River Ayr Way is Scotland’s first source to sea path network which begins at Glenbuck and follows the river for 66kms (44miles) to the sea at Ayr passing through some of Ayrshire’s most stunning and varied scenery from open remote moorland to shaded river gorges.

The River Ayr Way has inspired Robert Burns and helped William Wallace hide from English troops. It has created a village and powered an industrial revolution.

This area of beautiful Ayrshire is rich in history. Find out more about some of Ayrshire’s most famous worthies on this walk – William Wallace, Robert Burns, John Loudoun Macadam and Tibbie Pagan are just a few. Discover more of the rich industrial past of the area and the bloody Covenanting times.

The River Ayr Way is also home to a huge variety of wildlife on this walk including kingfishers, otters, heron, hen harrier, merlin, badgers, roe deer and black grouse.

My Walk: Day 1

My plan was over 2 days- Glenbuck to Catrine on Day 1 then Catrine House to Ayr on Day 2. Day1 I was on my own, day 2 I was joined by Alan.

Got dropped off at 7am by Maryann at Glenbuck.. There is a memorial to the great Bill Shankly - the great Liverpool manager who was born there- and this set the scene for a great Walk.

Day 1 takes you across from Glenbuck over the old railway behind Murkirk and up near the open cast before heading across what is a bit remote for approx. 9 miles to the small village of Sorn. This part is quite remote as I've commented but I observed some great wild life. I've got to admit, the weather as I passed this area was not the best. I had the 4 seasons in 1 hr. lol…

I was quite glad when I approached Sorn, a village I know well as I live in Mauchline… then I passed up by Sorn Church and Castle and walked along to Catrine. This was a very pleasant part.

panoramic photo on Sorn Moore

Maryann then picked me up. – 23 Miles covered before 4pm.

Photos

My Walk: Day 2

I was today joined by a good friend Alan and this route was to take us from Catrine House, under the Balochymle Viaduct then onto Failford, Stair, Annbank then onwards to Ayr Port.

Alan

Failford Gorge (or sometimes Ayr Gorge as its known) was the highlight of my walk as the wildlife here is abundant. Highlight was seeing a Deer drinking water from the river edge. truly amazing… Its a nice walk there down to the Stair Inn.. Always something to recommend if you want to take the family out for a couple of mile stroll then finish with a nice meal in the Stair Inn..

We left at 9am and again the weather was mixed… Brollys came in useful but as we headed well by Annbank the sun game out… By then the old feet were getting sore lol..

Me on Oswald Bridge

There is some other cracking walks in this area…

After Annbank its really a clear run along the side of the river right to Ayr. Your come out near Malcolm holdings and need to walk along the side of the A77 for about 300 yards then its a clear run direct to the port at Ayr Harbour.

Day 2 was finished by about 430pm and we headed to the pub for a couple of shandys to celebrate… which was well deserved. Naturally we had a few photos at the very end lol…