Ayrshire Coastal Path
| Distance | Approximate Time | Height Gain | OS Map |
| 161 kms | 5 - 10 days | 800 metres | Various Explorer Maps - 317, 326, 333 & 341 |
Description
Created over four years by the Rotary Club of Ayr to mark the Centenary of Rotary International in 2005, the Ayrshire Coastal Path was officially launched on 28 June 2008.
Dominated by the iconic silhouettes of Ailsa Craig and the Isle of Arran, the Way runs for one hundred miles along one of the finest panoramic coastlines in the British Isles, from Glenapp Kirk, ten miles north of Stranraer, to Skelmorlie, seven miles SW of Greenock.
From the wild cliffs of Glenapp to the sands of Ayr and Ardrossan, ever-changing perspectives of 'The Craig' and 'The Sleeping Warrior' provide a feast for both eye and camera as walkers are drawn slowly northwards towards the sheltered waters of Largs and Skelmorlie and the upper Firth of Clyde.
Thanks to its great diversity of habitat, wildlife is prolific, but is best seen - as always - by small groups with muted clothing and voices.
Northbound walkers, most comfortable with a prevailing wind and sun on their backs, will travel from Glenapp to Ayr through the Cradle of Scottish Independence - the home of Wallace, Bruce and Burns - along wild cliff-top tracks, old turnpike roads and rough and sandy beaches; past ruined castles and small fishing villages - by the Open Championship golf course at Turnberry and through the grounds of Culzean Castle.
From Ayr northwards, the going is much gentler along sandy beaches past Prestwick - the birthplace of Open championship golf - and its successor, Royal Troon, From Ardrossan to Largs, sailing yachts now glide calm seas once scoured by fearsome Viking longships.
Access Info
With short stages of 6-10 miles between the villages and towns en route, access is very easy by bus, train and car. Web links with bus, train, air and ferry services are available on the Ayrshire Coastal Path website. Accommodation links are also available on the website.
Additional Info
Inspired by the work of Ayr Rotary, the Rotary Club of Stranraer is developing a path from Stranraer to Glenapp to link the Ayrshire Coastal Path with the Southern Upland Way; while in the north, Gourock Rotary Club is planning a route from Skelmorlie to the Erskine Bridge and Forth and Clyde Canal, to form a link with the West Highland Way.
It will then be possible to walk from Dunbar or Eyemouth in the East to Inverness via Stranraer and the Ayrshire Coast - if you like really long distance walking!
http://www.ayrshirecoastalpath.org
