Stage 6 Dunure to Ayr
Kennedy Park - Dunure Harbour – Beach track to Fisherton Bay – cliff top path and old railway track - Head of Ayr Caravan Park - Bracken Bay - Heads of Ayr Shore - Butlin’s Bay – Deil’s Dyke - Greenan Castle shore - Doonfoot Bridge – Blackburn Car Park - Wellington Square - St John’s Tower - Cromwell’s Fort - Loudoun Hall - Ayr Tourist Office, Sandgate - The Ancient Royal Burgh of Ayr
Distance: 14.3 km = 8.9 miles
Time: 4.5 hours
Car Parks: Kennedy Park, Dunure - Doonfoot - Ayr Seafront
Walking Summary: Moderate/Difficult – rocky escarpment/fields, livestock, rocky outcrops and shore, cliff top field path, railway track, sandy beach, promenade. Four short Tidal Stretches.
6A. Branch Detour to Robert Burns Birthplace Museum (Local Path): Deil’s Dyke - Greenan Cott – NCN7 east to A719 – Cycle way toRobert Burns birthplace Museum - Doonfoot
Added Distance: 3.8 km = 2.4 miles
We strongly advise purchase of the Guide Book for a detailed description and map of the route.
Points of Interest
Transport: Good bus service.
Historical: Dunure Harbour - old port for sail-driven herring boats. Dunure Castle - main Kennedy Clan coastal castle. Birthplace of Robert Burns, Scotland’s Poet - Alloway. St John’s Church Tower - seat of Bruce’s first Parliament. Cromwell’s Fort. Loudoun Hall - Ayr’s oldest house. Lady Cathcart’s House - Birthplace of John Loudoun McAdam.
General: Dramatic views of Ailsa Craig, Ireland, Kintyre, Arran. Ayr Harbour. Ayr Beach - Popular in summer.
Nature: Roe Deer. Raptors. Finches and warblers. River Doon Estuary resident and migrating birds. Seals often seen, occasionally otters. Coastal geology. Raised beaches, agates, yellow sand stone and lava cliffs with smugglers’ caves.
Eating/Provisions: Dunure - restaurant and pub. Heads of Ayr Caravan Park Shop (summer). Doonfoot Store - 500m up river from Doonfoot bridge. Seafield Store/Post Office - 100m east of dinghy ramp. Town Centre shops, pubs, and restaurants. Ayr Seafront.
Public Toilets: Dunure Castle - Kennedy Park. Blackburn Car Park on esplanade. Near to childrens’ play park at north end of Low Green. North side of the New Bridge in River Street. Arthur Street along Boswell Park from Sandgate.
Accommodation: Dunure and Farm B&Bs. Camping at Heads of Ayr Caravan Park. Visit Ayr Tourist Office for information. Town Hotels and B&Bs. Camping - Craigie Caravan Park - north side of River Ayr.