Contact

Discover Ayrshire

greatways toexploreAyrshire

Castles of Ayrshire

Alloway Walking Tours

Wandering Wild

Castles of Ayrshire

A Burns Roundup

trails ofdiscovery

www.ayrshiretrails.co.uk

Central Ayrshire

Tourist Information Centres (TICs)We have Tourist InformationCentres in Ayr, Largs and on theIsle of Arran where you can makeadvance accommodationbookings and get ideas of whatto see and do during your trip. Please drop in and visit us whenyou’re in the area.

Tourist Information Centres Open all year• 22 Sandgate, Ayr, KA7 1BW• The Pier, Brodick, The Isle ofArran, KA27 8AU

Open summer • The Railway Station, Largs, KA30 8AN

Electronic Tourist InformationPoints (ETIPs)We have web kiosks situated atthe following venues, providingfurther tourist information:

Ayrshire• Loudoun Castle, Galston• Information Centre, Girvan• Dean Castle, Kilmarnock• Prestwick Airport, Prestwick• Magnum Leisure Centre, Irvine

Isle of Arran• Community Hall, Lochranza

Isle of Cumbrae• Cumbrae Card & Gift Shop,Millport

For further information and to book accomodation in Ayrshire, The Isles of Arran &Cumbrae and the rest of Scotlandwww.visitscotland.com tel 0845 2255 121

www.ayrshirepaths.org.uk has full details of many of thesuggested walks.

trails ofdiscovery

Ayrshire is a land of spectacularscenery, awesome sunsets, ancientcastles and enchanting gardens. It is also the birthplace of RobertBurns, whose love for his native soilwas expressed in an extraordinaryvariety of poems, songs and ballads. Today the words still resonate atevery gathering in the world wherethere’s an affection for Scotland

You can sense Burns’s presence in many of the places described in this booklet. Of course, theseexplorations are not meant solely for lovers of the bard. Whatever your interests and activities – wildlife, hill and coastal walks, historiclandmarks, country parks – you’ll discover a great wealth of pleasures.

A Burns Roundup

Wandering Wild

The Castles of Ayrshire

Page 18Three trails that reveal a larger picture of the bard’s life.

Page 8Explore spectacular coastand countryside, with plentyof walking opportunities andwildlife for the eagle eyed.

Page 12A journey through fivecenturies of history fromancient fortresses tomagnificent mansions and tiny tower houses.

Alloway Walking TourPage 4A stroll around Burns’sbirthplace, with appropriatequotes from his poetry.

contents

1. Driving to Alloway from Ayr on the B7024, turn left into theRozelle estate. Enjoy a coffee inthe tearoom and have a look atthe Tam o Shanter paintings byGoudie before starting the walk.“This truth fand honest Tam o Shanter as he frae Ayr aenight did canter.”

2. Leave the estate on foot the way you came in. Cross the road and turn right, go backpast the entrance to the Belleisle estate and golf course,and continue for about 80metres. Turn left through thewooden fence oppositeLanglands Park. After the trees

and walk about 60 metres, thenturn left towards the 15th tee ofthe golf course. You’ll reach theSlaphouse Burn, which Tamwould cross on his way home.“By this time he was cross the ford whare in the snaw the Chapman smoor’d”

‘Jolly Beggars’ and the ‘Deil’sawa wi the exciseman’-“Wi quaffing and laughing Theyranted and they sang.”

7. Cross back to Burns Cottageside of the road and walk south.Turn into the first road on theright and go past the gatewayto the car park. A few metresfrom the entrance, in the fieldnext to the fence, is an old well.“And he was aware of a gayladie As she was at thewellwashing.”

8. You’re now in GreenfieldAvenue, which was laid out byRobert’s father, William Burnes.“A cotter howkin in a sheugh”

9. Cross the road, continuedown Greenfield Avenue, turnleft into Baird Road and then first right into Cairn Crescent. A little further, on your left, you’llsee the ancient burial cairnmemorial. “And thro the whins and by the cairn Whare hunters fand themurder’d bairn”

“Wi quaffing and laughing They ranted and they sang.”

3. You’re now on Tam oShanter’s route. Keep the woodon your left till you cross thepath to Belleisle House. Aboutthe middle of the 11th fairway,135 metres away you’ll see themeikle stane marker – a stone marker beside thewoodland path.“And past the birks and meiklestane where drunken Charliebrak’s neck-bane”

4. A short distance into thewood you’ll find a small pathwhich leads you to the AllowayRoad, about 200 metres fromthe village smiddy. This was thehome of Agnes McClure, themidwife who delivered Burns.“The Gossip Keekit in his loofquo scho:- ‘Wha lives will seethe proof. This Waly boy will benae coof;’ I think we’ll ca’ himRobin.

5. About 70 metres further onyou’ll come to Burns Cottage,where Robert was born on 25thJanuary, 1759.“From scenes like these oldScotia’s grandeur springs thatmakes her lov’d at homerever’d abroad”

6. The village hall across theroad from the cottage hasmarvellous plasterworkdepicting scenes from the

In following this picturesque trail you’ll comeacross the wellsprings of Robert Burns’s genius. It includes a visit to the Alloway cottage wherehe was born. The walk is partly based on hismasterpiece, ‘Tam o Shanter’, and at variouspoints in our description we’ve includedappropriate quotes. It’s possible to complete it in an hour and a half, but it’s more enjoyableif you make a day of it.

4 Alloway Walking Tour trails of discovery 5

Burns Cottage

Burns epitaph to his father

“Ae spring brought off hermaster hale, but left behind her ain grey tail.”

17. You can see Dutch Millupstream from the Auld Brig. It’s where William Burnes livedwhile he built his cottage. Now it consists of privateapartments.“Whase life is like a weel gaun mill.”

18. The trail now leads to theRiver Doon path, one of Burnsfavourite spots. Walk over theAuld Brig, then under the roadbridge on the private road toDoonholm estate, and turn right on the main road. Go northwards past the Auld Kirk and take the first left intoShanter Way. Past the bollardsat the end, take the steps on your left and you’re on the path. “Aft hae I rov’d by bonnieDoon.”

19. The trail finishes at theBelleisle House Hotel, set in a finepark. Follow the path as it leavesthe river, cross Greenfield Roadand go down to the left.

10. Carry on round the crescentand turn right and right again.When you come to the mainroad, Kirk Alloway is about 100metres on your right. This was thesetting for Tam’s sight of thewitches dancing.“When, glimmering thro’ thegroaning trees, Kirk Alloway seem’d in a bleeze,Thro’ ilka bore the beams wereglancing And loud resounding mirth anddancing.”

11. Just across the road is AuldNick’s View, the lane besideAlloway Parish Church. Tam sawthe devil up this lane from theeast window of Kirk Alloway –and the devil would haveviewed Tam being pursued bythe warlocks and witches.“A winnock-bunker in the east,there sat auld Nick, in shape o beast.”

12. Alloway Parish Church was built in 1857. Its beautifulstained glass windows include a memorial to Burns.“For sweet consolation toChurch I did fly.”

13. Go left up Auld Nick’s view to the Tam o ShanterExperience, which has an audio-visual presentation of the full‘Tam o Shanter’ poem. It’s agood spot for lunch. “And drouthy neebors, neebors meet.”

14. As you leave, the BurnsMonument, Memorial Gardensand Statue House are to the left,with life-size statues of Tam oShanter, Souter Johnnie and Nanse Tinnock.“And at his elbow Souter Johnnie His ancient, trusty, drouthycronie.”

15. The Burns Monument is wellworth climbing for the views of the Auld Brig and thesurrounding countryside. It wasdedicated with full Masonichonours in 1823.“The chiels that bigget me wereMasons prime.”

16. Going out through the backgarden gate you’re on the oldroad from the mouth of theDoon to Maybole over the AuldBrig o Doon. This is where Tam’sgrey mare Meg lost her tail toNannie the witch.

6 Alloway Walking Tour trails of discovery 7

A lodge house at the bottom of the road marks the entranceto the hotel. Its foyer containssuperb carvings of scenes fromBurns’s songs and poems“Still o’er these scenes mymem’ry wakesand fondly broods with miser-care”

Photography and text- John Skilling

Fand: FoundAe: OneSmoor’d: SmotheredBirks: BirchesWaly: Big, sturdyCoof: Rogue, fool,

useless personCotter: farmworker who

has a cottage aspart of his contract

Howkin: DiggingSheugh: TrenchBleese: BlazeWinnock-bunker:

Window recessDrouthy: ThirstyNeebors: NeighboursSouter: Cobbler

Glossary

Kirk Alloway Brig o Doon

Upland AyrshireThis circuit leaves the sea airbehind and takes you inland toexplore the more remote parts ofupland Ayrshire and the RiverAyr Gorge. (45 miles approx)

1. Dean Castle Country Park,Kilmarnock. A wildlifewonderland with good birdwatching, well made paths,mature oak woodland andriverside walks.

2. Irvine Valley(Galston/Newmilns/Darvel) Take the A71. Stop in any villagecentre to enjoy one of the manysign posted walks. Look out forwildlife including peregrines or incontrast the rides of LoudonCastle Family Theme Park.

3. Loudon Hill, dominates theskyline, continue on the A71towards it. This amazing outcropof volcanic rock with Robert theBruce and Covenanterconnections has panoramicviews, great walks, a battlefieldand a very modern sculpture.

4. Drumclog Memorial Kirk, built1912, is the site of the 1679 battlewith the Covenanters. Turn rightand drive the B745/B743 throughdesolate moorland. Look out forospreys over the loch.

5. Muirkirk is a mining villageoffering at least 5 different walks;turn left then first right to reachthe car park. Walks include theclimb up the heather clad CairnTable. At 593 metres it’s thehighest hill in the area. Look outfor Hen Harriers over the moors.

6. High Road to Sorn For views ofupland Ayrshire, Airds Moss andthe battlefield of 1680. Take theA70 towards Ayr then right ontothe B743 to Sorn - a charminglittle village.

Clyde MuirshielRegional ParkThis circuit can be startedanywhere but should becompleted clockwise to get the best views over the Clyde onthe Fairlie Moor Road. (40 miles approx)

1. Largs. The sign posted walksstart from the car park besidethe ferry to the Isle of Cumbrae(Scotland’s most accessibleisland) on the A78.

2. Haylie Brae View Point andpicnic area on the A760 is aperfect stopping off point forbeautiful views out over the Firthof Clyde to Cumbrae, Arran andBute. Plus you can walk intoLargs from here or out on thehills of Clyde Muirshiel.

3. Castle Semple Loch,Lochwinnoch. Continue inlandon the A760. There are swansand other wildlife, plus a VisitorCentre and sign posted lochside and woodland walks inCastle Semple Country Park.The sign posted walk to the 500year old Collegiate Church iswell worth the sometimesmuddy paths.

4. Clyde Muirshiel Hen Harriers.Take the B786 uphill and followthe signs for Muirshiel CountryPark. These rare birds of preycan be seen live on TV at theVisitor Centre during the season.Woodland and Moorland walksinclude the child friendly WindyHill with great views from the toptowards Glasgow and theHighlands.

5. RSPB Lochwinnoch on theA760 opposite LochwinnochRailway Station. The reserve isgreat for bird watching withhides, binoculars and walksround part of the Aird Meadows.

6. Dalry. Take the A737 southpast Beith. The market townprovides a good stopping pointfor a number of walks that startat The Cross. Do the 12kmBaidlandhill Walk for panoramicviews over the Clyde or the pathalong the south bank of theCaaf Water leads past abeautiful waterfall to Pinnioch’sPoint.

7. Fairlie Moor Road. Take theB780 for 1 mile and turn right justafter the cemetery along the smallest road (single track withpassing places) across theRegional Park for lots of fantasticcountryside views and picnicstops.

8. Portencross/West Kilbride.Turn left onto the A78 and followsigns for more good views,wildlife watching and a coastalwalk at the 15th centuryPortencross Castle.

Explore spectacular coast and countryside,with plenty of walking opportunities andwildlife for the eagle eyed. All routes can bedriven in half a day but it’s more enjoyableto make a full day of it.

8 Wandering Wild trails of discovery 9

Sorn Castle

Clyde Muirshiel

7. Dunure just off the A719, has a harbour with a pebbly shoreand a ruined castle. This is justone stopping place to admirethe spectacular views along theFirth of Clyde to Culzean Castle,Ailsa Craig and Arran.

8. Croy Brae, on the A719 is anoptical illusion known as ElectricBrae which has puzzled anddelighted travellers for over 80years. Please watch out forother cars also working out theillusion. Turn right downhill justafter the Brae, to Croy Shore tobuild a sandcastle or have apicnic on the sandy beach.

9. Culzean Castle & CountryPark on the A719 is wonderfulplace to wander all day. There are gardens, woodlandand coastal walks, cliffs, a swanpond, adventure play areas and wildlife including a red deer herd.

Text - Fiona Carswell, James BrownPhotographs - Andrew ScottMartin, Alister Firth.

trails of discovery 11

7. River Ayr Way at Failford. TheScottish Wildlife Trust providesgood access to their reserve of semi-natural oak woodlandsand planted woods with walksalong the Ayr Gorge. Otters,bats, roe deer and red squirrelcan be spotted and thesandstone river gorge is home to great spotted woodpecker,kingfisher, redstart, gardenwarbler, nuthatch, buzzard andsparrow hawk and many others.

8. River Ayr Way at Auchincruive.Take the B743 past Mossblown.This estate, contains 5 RobertAdam designed buildingsincluding a magnificent neo-classical mansion house. Park atOswald Hall to enjoy one of thesign posted walks.

Carrick CountryThis circuit takes you round theheart of Carrick exploring prettyrural villages, scenic B roads andthe Carrick coast road for greatviews of Turnberry Lighthouseand Alisa Craig. (60 miles)

1. Girvan. A harbour town with a museum and art gallery, craftoutlets and half day walks. Plusboat trips for fishing, diving orbird watching around thespectacular island of Ailsa Craigwith its puffins and tens ofthousands of gannets.

2. Barr via the Stinchar Valley.Take the A714 past Pinmore for 8miles and turn left onto the B734.

The Valley, immortalised byBurns, provides a narrow road tothe pretty village of Barr, thefocal point for six excellent walksthat all start to the east of thevillage. Turn right at the churchonto Stinchar Rd/Changue Rd.

3. Dailly. Take the smallGlenginnet Road from Barr. Stopin the Village Square to enjoyone of the trails and thewonderful art sculptures. TheBargany Estate Gardens havesplendid woodland walks andpicnic areas.

4. Straiton Take the B741 to thischarmingly pretty 18th centuryplanned village. Park in thevillage car park and follow asign posted route, or climb upthe hill to the monument.

5. Culroy Road (B7024) is anattractive alternative to the A77.Or if you don’t mind meetingtractors on a small, single trackroad detour over Brown CarrickHill (198 metres) for a fantasticview of Ayr Bay and the Islands.

6. Heads of Ayr on the A719 has intriguing geology because of the cliffs and faults; it is nowhome to the popular Heads ofAyr Farm Park with a wide rangeof animals and fun filledactivities.

10 Wandering Wild

“Wherever you go,don't just lookstraight ahead -often the greatestinspiration comesfrom looking allaround.”

Walker on beach

River Ayr at Failford

Turnberry Lighthouse

7. Hunterston Castle (private house).Return to the A78, leave it northof the junction with the B782(West Kilbride) and gonorthwards along an unclassifedroad. This tower house wasoriginally built about 1400 by the Hunter family, hereditaryHuntsmen to the Kings of Scots.It is now the Hunter ClanMuseum. Access: May beviewed from the road. Thepublic may see the interior onthe annual open day, usually inSeptember.

8. Fairlie Castle (private house).Take the A78 to Fairlie and turn into Glen Road/Castlebank Drive. This four-storeysquare tower was built around1520. It has well preservedchequered corbelling and fourangle turrets. Access: The building has beenbought for conversion to aprivate house, but exterioraccess is unimpeded at present.

9. Kelburn Castle (visitor attraction).Head north along A78 and turnlandward after Fairlie intoKelburn Country Centre. The Castle has been the homeof the Boyle family (later Earls ofGlasgow) for over 800 years. Itincorporates a 16th century Z-plan castle with corner towers.An elegant mansion was addedin 1700 and a Victorian wing in1880. A visitor centre, historic

trails of discovery 13

gardens, famous glen, heritagetrees, childrens adventure playareas and The Secret Forest areother attractions within thegrounds. Access: The castle isopen for guided tours in Julyand August. Exterior from Easterto October

9a. Skelmorlie Castle (private house).Take the A78 through Largs tothe southside of Skelmorlie. Animposing mansion housedeveloped from the originaltower on the north end, whichwas erected about 1500 as astronghold of the Montgomeriefamily. Most of the rest of thebuilding is red sandstone - a fineexample of Scots baronialarchitecture from the 1850s.Access: May only be viewedfrom the public road.

10. Glengarnock Castle (ruin).Take the A78 to Largs and thenthe A760 to Kilbirnie. After Tescoturn left along Dipple Road andafter 1 mile turn left downhill toBlackburn Farm road end. Thesedramatic ruins are perched on apromontory surrounded on threesides by the deep gorge of theRiver Garnock. The site wasprobably occupied by Hugh de Morville, Norman overlord of North Ayrshire in the 12thcentury. Access: Open access over a muddy field. Beware of loosestonework and very steep dropsto the river.

Northern Ayrshire1. Seagate Castle (preserved ruin). Your tour starts in Castle Street,Irvine. The northwest tower ofthis home of the Montgomerie Earls of Eglinton is possibly 14th century, the rest late 16th century. There are finecarved stone mouldings roundwindows and doors and onbosses in the vaulted entrance.Mary, Queen of Scots is reputedto have visited in 1563. Access: Exterior only.

2. Stanecastle (preserved ruin).Take Bank Street and MansonRoad, Ivine (A736). This minorseat of the Montgomeries datesfrom the 16th century. The fairlycomplete tower house has tworows of detached corbels. Thelance-shaped windows wereadded for romantic effectabout 1750. The adjacent gateserected about 1800 are worth a look. Access: Viewing is onlypossible from outside a fencedenclosure.

3. Eglinton Castle (ruin and visitor centre).Go to the A78 via B7080, takethe Kilwinning exit and follow theCountry Park signs. This was agrand castellated mansion, theseat of the Montgomerie Earls ofEglinton. Only one five-storeycorner tower and some portionsof wall remain. An overlook gives a view of extensivefoundations and pleasantsurroundings. In 1800 a mansionwas built here which hosted theEglinton Tournament, an

extravagant romantic revivalwith knights in armour andjousting. More information in the visitor centre. Access: Open all year.

4. Ardrossan Castle (ruin).Take the A78 to Ardrossan,follow signs to ferry and turn left into Hill Place. An earliercastle on this site was capturedby William Wallace from theEnglish. Several fragments of apowerful fortress remain. Theviews over Ardrossan, Saltcoatsand the Firth of Clyde arespectacular. Access: Exterior only.

5. Law Castle (private house).Take the A78 north and then the B7047. This five-storey towerhouse was built about 1490 byThomas Boyd as a home for hisbride, Princess Mary, sister ofJames III, King of Scots. It’s beenrecently refurbished, with thestonework covered with light-coloured harling, as it wouldhave been when it was built.Access: Exterior only.

6. Portencross Castle (preserved ruin). Leave West Kilbride on the B7048 and cross the A78. This tower house was thestopover point for the early Kings of Scots as they travelledbetween the royal castles at Dundonald and Rothesay. King Robert the Bruce signed a charter here in 1306. Access: Exterior only.

12 The Castles of Ayrshire

The castles of Ayrshire offer fascinating insightsinto a noble past. Besides ancient ruins you’lldiscover spectacular views, lively visitorattractions and delightful gardens. Dunure Castle

Kelburn Castle

6. Mauchline Castle (preserved ruin). Take the B743 west from Sorn. This15th century tower-house, inthe centre of Mauchline wasbuilt as a monastic residence forMelrose Abbey. It is said thatRobert Burns married JeanArmour in the dining room.Access: visible from street.

6a. Loch Doon and Doon Castle(preserved ruin). Take the A76 to Cumnock andNew Cumnock, then the B741 toDalmellington. Turn south on theA713 and then turn right ontothe classified road signpostedfor Loch Doon. This 13th centurycastle, which used to be on asmall island in the middle of theloch, often gave shelter toRobert the Bruce. It wasdestroyed by fire during thereign of James V. The ruins werereconstructed on the mainland,when the loch level was raisedfor a hydroelectric scheme inthe 1930s. If the loch is low, it isstill possible to see some of theoriginal ruins. Access: at alltimes.

6b. Blairquhan Castle (privateresidence/visitor attraction).Return to the A713, turn left andafter Dalmellington take theB741 to Straiton and the B7045.This is one of the finest Regencycastles in Scotland, designed byWilliam Burn. All the originalfurnishings are there, as well as agood collection of paintings.The castle is set in 2000 acres ofwoodland, including 500 acresof idyllic parkland. Access:House and grounds usually open during summer months.

7. Dundonald Castle (visitor attraction). Continue on the B7045 to the A77 (north), leave it atSymington and take the

Dundonald road for thefollowing two castles. This 14thcentury tower house was builtby King Robert II on the site ofan earlier castle built byAlexander 4th Steward ofScotland (his grandfather)around 1260. It is now in thecare of Historic Scotland.Access: April to October.

9. Auchans Castle (preserved ruin).This was extended in 1664 to an L-shaped plan. Samuel Johnsonand James Boswell visited herein 1773. Access: No access. Thebuilding has been fenced offdue to its dangerous condition.

Southern Ayrshire 1. Maybole Castle (Occupied Building). Start from Ayr and take the A77to Maybole.It serves as officesfor the Culzean and CassillisEstates. It is thought that thebuilding of the castle wasstarted by Gilbert Kennedy, 4th Earl of Cassillis (1541-76).Access: regular pattern ofopening times.

2. Baltersan Castle (Preserved Ruin).Continue two miles south alongthe A77. This late 16th century L-plan tower house is visible from the road. It used to be on Crossraguel land until it wasaquired by David Kennedy ofPennyglen in 1569. Access:Visible from the road.

11. Blair House/Castle (private house).Return to Kilbirnie, take the B760to Dalry and from the railwaystation go along Blair Road.Originally a 14th century towerhouse, this is now a grandmansion set in woodland. Access: The estate is open to walkers from dawn to duskevery day, but there is novehicle access except onbusiness. No access to theinterior. To return to Irvine, goback to Dalry and take the A737 Kilwinning road.

Time to spare? Visit the Museumof Ayrshire Country Life andCostume at Dalgarven Mill onthis road.

Central Ayrshire1. Dean Castle (visitor attraction). The earliest part of the castle is a 14th century keep. The restwas added in the 15th century,creating an excellent exampleof Scottish palace architectureof that period. The castle is now a museum and has finecollections of arms, armour and early musical instruments.Access: Grounds all year.Castle Wednesday to Sunday.

2. Barr Castle (preserved ruin). Take the A71 to Galston. This tallrectangular tower in Barr Streetwas built in the 15th century.John Knox preached here in1556. Access: Visible from the

street. Occasionally open duringdoors open day, usually inSeptember.

3. Loudoun Castle (preserved ruin).Drive half a mile along the A719from Galston and turn left at theGalston roundabout. The originaltower house was built in the 15thcentury by the Crawfords ofLoudoun. After many illustriousoccupiers, including OliverCromwell’s General Monck, the castle was badly damagedby fire in 1940. It is now in thegrounds of Loudoun CastleTheme Park. Access: Outsideonly: can be viewed duringopening hours of LoudounCastle Family Theme Park.

4. Newmilns Tower (preserved ruin). Return to the A71 and turn leftfor Newmilns. Off Castle Street in the centre of the town. Thissmall square four-storey towerwas built around 1530. Access: Exterior Only. Can beviewed from Castle Street.

5. Sorn Castle (privateresidence/visitor attraction).Return to Galston and take the B7037. The spectacularlocation of this 14th centurytower house, to the west of thevillage, was chosen for itsdefensive position overlookingthe River Ayr. Access: Groundsopen in summer, castleJuly/August.

14 The Castles of Ayrshire trails of discovery 15

Dean Castle

Dundonald Castle

3. Crossraguel Abbey(conserved ruin). This Cluniac monastery wasfounded in the 13th century. Inaddition to the ruins, the siteincludes an early doocot, a 16thcentury gatehouse and theimpressive remains of the towerhouse of the abbot. Access:Historic Scotland property.Regular opening hours.

4. Kilkerran (private house).From Crossraguel return toMaybole and take the B7023. In Crosshill turn right and join the B741 towards Dailly. On your left you’ll come across the house. This grandcountry house was built about1730 for Sir James Fergusson,Lord Kilkerran. It’s still lived in bythe Fergusson family. Access:visible from the road.

5. Dalquharran House (ruin).Drive on towards Dailly andyou’ll see the dramatic ruin ofthis castle-style house by RobertAdam stands proud on thehillside on the far side of theWater of Girvan. A prestigioushotel and golf resortdevelopment is planned.Access: Visible from the road

6. Old Dalquharran Castle (ruin).Drive into Dailly, park near the church, and walk over the footbridge. This was arectangular 15th century towerhouse, with a round tower and a long wing added in 1679.

It was abandoned by the family when their new house was built.Access: at any time.

7. Bargany House (gardens).Follow the unclassified road to Old Dailly. The house was builtin 1681 and restored in the late20th century: it is not open tothe public. The gardens andwoodland policies are notablefor their woodland andrhododendron walks, a pondand the graceful 18th centuryDuke’s Bridge. Access: Gardensonly. Regularly open during thesummer.

8. Penkill Castle (private house).Continue towards Old Dailly.Take the B734 to Barr and turnleft at the next junction. Wellhidden in a wooden glen, Penkillwas built for the Boyd family inthe 16th century and restored inthe 19th century. Many leadingpre-Raphaelites were involved inthe decoration. Access: openoccasionally in the summer.

9. Pinwherry Castle (Ruin).Continue towards Barr, followthe B734 towards Pinwherry, andturn left at the junction with theA719. Covered with ivy, this 16thcentury L-plan fortified house is near the road bridge over the Duisk Water. Access: visiblefrom the road.

10. Ardstinchar (Ballantrae)Castle (Preserved Ruin). Go back to the junction with the B734 and turn towards Colmonnel and Ballantrae. This dramatic ruin stands at themouth of the river Stinchar inBallantrae village (A77). Mary,Queen of Scots sheltered here. Access: at any time.

11. Carleton Castle (Ruin). Take the A77 north towardsGirvan. Overlooking Lendalfoot, this 15th century Kennedywatchtower was the home of Sir John Cathcart. He married,robbed and murdered severalyoung women until he met hismatch in May Kennedy ofCassillis. Access: visible from theroad.

12. Turnberry Castle (Ruin).Turn into Turnberry on the A719.The remains of this 13th centurycastle stand half a mile’s walkalong the access track toTurnberry lighthouse. Robert the Bruce landed here fromArran in 1307 and recaptured it from the English. Access: at any time.

13. Thomaston Castle (Ruin).On the edge of the Culzeanestate, about a mile afterMaidens village. This 16thcentury castle was built on landonce held by a nephew ofRobert the Bruce. Access: canbe seen from the A719.

14. Culzean Castle (Visitor Attraction).Continue on the A719 north. Built from 1772 to 1790, thismasterpiece by Robert Adamfeatures a marvellous ovalstaircase, a circular salon andthe Eisenhower Suite, where theUS president stayed frequently.The estate includes a deer park, gas and fountain courts, swanpond, viaduct, icehouse,camellia house, orangery and pagoda. Access: Grounds – atall times. Castle – regularly openthroughout the summer.

15. Dunure Castle (Preserved Ruin). Continue on the A719. This 14thcentury square keep stands sixmiles south of Ayr in the villageof Dunure. It boasts a 17thcentury doocot. Mary, Queen of Scots, stayed here on her tourdown the west coast. Access: atall times

16. Greenan Castle (Preserved Ruin). Return to the A719 and continue north. This rectangularfour-storey tower house, twomiles south of Ayr, was built in1603. It stands by the cliff edge,atop the site of an Iron Age fort.The original may have been anArthurian stronghold, possiblyCamelot. Access: Turn off A719to Greenan Shore

Photography - Francis Lopez Text - Douglas Easton, Rob Closeand Alastair Breckenridge

16 The Castles of Ayrshire trails of discovery 17

Ardstinchar Castle

Culzean Castle

Dunure Castle

Greenan Castle

15. Kirkoswald. In his youth Burns often visitedrelatives in the village of Kirkoswald. He returned in 1775 to learn land surveying in HughRodger’s School now part of theShanter Inn, but his attentionwas distracted by a lass calledPeggy Thomson who ‘oversetmy Trigonometry and set me offin a tangent from the sphere ofmy studies’.

16. Souter Johnnie’s Cottageand Kirkoswald KirkyardThe cottage was the home and workshop of John Davidson,shoemaker, who was SouterJohnnie in Tam o Shanter. It contains period furniture, Burns relics and a reconstructedsouter’s workshop. The kirkyardopposite contains the graves of Tam o Shanter, Souter Johnnie,Hugh Rodger, Kirkton Jean,Burns’ maternal grandparentsand great-grandparents.

17. Shanter FarmThis was the home of DouglasGraham, on whom Burnsmodelled Tam o Shanter.Graham is said to have owneda boat called Tam (nicknamedTam o Shanter because itbelonged to the owner of thefarm of that name), which heused to smuggle drink ashore.His wife was as opposed to drinkas Graham was keen – thissupplied Burns with the moralbasis for the tale of Tam.

11. Kirk AllowayThis charming kirk had fallen into ruin by the time of Burns and inspired tales of ghosts, devils, and witches. In Burns’s famous poem, it’s here that Tam o Shanter encountersthe witches. The poet’s fatherlies buried at the entrance ofthe graveyard.

12. Burns MonumentThis Grecian style monument toBurns was designed by ThomasHamilton and completed in1823. The monument andgardens overlook the Brig oDoon and Alloway Auld Kirk.

13. Brig o DoonThe romantic stony arch of the late medieval brig (bridge)was the setting for Tam oShanter’s frightful escape from the witches.

14. Mount Oliphant FarmThis hilltop farm was describedby John Gray (Burns Federation1967) as ‘a ruinous bargain’. The Burnes family farmed herefrom 1766-77. It was here Burnscomposed his first song, ‘O onceI loved a bonnie lass’.

Robert Burns was born inAlloway, near Ayr, on 25thJanuary 1759 in a smallthatched cottage built by hisfather. The poet’s upbringing onthe banks of the river Doon wasoften tough. As the oldest child,Burns was needed to labour onthe family lands at Alloway andMount Oliphant from an earlyage. Robert and his brotherGilbert did, however, receivetuition in the Classics, English,French, and Mathematics.Religious instruction from theirfather and fireside tales of thesupernatural from BettyDavidson, a relative of hismother, added to Robert’seducation. Although Burnsmoved to Tarbolton in 1777, he had already started tocompose verse. It is clear fromhis later work that he frequentlyreturned to the landscape of hischildhood for inspiration.

Park in Ayr Town Centre to easilywalk round to see 1 to 7. Look atAlloway Walking Tour for detailson 8 to 13.

1. Statue of Robert BurnsDating from 1891, GeorgeAnderson Lawson’s powerfullikeness of the poet facestowards the village of Alloway.

2. Tam o Shanter InnRelax in this thatched alehouse,the notural place to celebrateTam o Shanter’s day out in Ayr.For many years it was a Burnsmuseum.

3. Auld Kirk of AyrBurns family attended thisbeautiful riverside church wherehis father was an elder.

4. Auld BrigThis ancient bridge dates backto the early 1200s and featuresin Burns’ poem, The Brigs of Ayr.Burns conceives a conversation between the trusty old bridgeand the fancy new bridgebeside it. The Auld Brigprophesises ‘I’ll be a brig whenyou’re a shapeless cairn’ whichcame to pass in 1877 when aflood destroyed the New Brig.

5. Carnegie LibraryThe library’s excellent collectionof Burns’s works and illustrationsis a must for the curious.

6. Whigham’s Wine Merchant This family business suppliedwine to Burns and has accountsin his name.

7. Site of John Murdoch’s HouseMurdoch instructed Robert andGilbert Burns in English andFrench.

8. Rozelle House Art Gallery and MuseumOn the route of Tam o Shanter’seventful journey home from Ayr,Rozelle now shows a vividdepiction of the poem in theGoudie collection of paintings.

9. Burns Cottage and MuseumBurns National Heritage ParkRobert Burns was born here inthe kitchen of the ‘auld claybiggin’ built by his father.

10. Alloway Village HallDirectly opposite Burns Cottage,the hall has a finely plasteredbarrel vault and depicts scenesfrom Burns’s life and work on thewalls at either end.

Early Life: Ayr and Carrick.

trails of discovery 1918 A Burns Roundup

It is clear from his later work that hefrequently returned to the landscape of his childhood for inspiration.

Burns Cottage

Souter Johnnie’s Cottage

daughters lie alongsidecontemporaries such as WilliamFisher (‘Holy Willie’) and GavinHamilton, Burns’ friend andpatron whose house overlooksthe kirkyard.

10. Statue of Jean Armour.The world’s first statue toRobert’s wife was unveiled in 2002.

11. Poosie Nansie’s Inn.A raucous party of travelling folkat this house of ill repute inspiredBurns to compose The JollyBeggars. Today visitors can havea pint and a bite to eat in thefront room where the beggars‘held the splore’.

1. Stair House (east of B730)The owner of this handsomemansion, Mrs Catherine Stewartof Stair, was the poet’s firstpatron from the Ayrshire gentry.

2. Highland Mary Monument,Failford (B743). This beautifullysited sandstone pillar stands by the Fail Burn (stream) whereBurns and his lover ‘HighlandMary’ parted for ever.

3. Bachelors’ Club, TarboltonBurns took dancing lessons in the upper storey of this buildingin 1779. He helped establish adebating society for single men,which gives the property itsname, on 11th November 1780.He became a Freemason in 1781.

4. Lodge Tarbolton St James.Burns was Depute Master of this masonic lodge from 1784-88.

5. Willie’s Mill. South of B744, east of Tarbolton.Now a private dwelling, Willie’sMill was owned by Burns’s friendWilliam Muir, who is mentioned inthe poem 'Death and DrHornbook'. Muir took in JeanArmour, when she discovered

that, for the second time, shewas pregnant to Robert.

6. Lochlea Farm. B744/2km south of A719. Whenhis family farmed here between1777 and 1784, Robert began toexperiment both as a farmerand as a writer. Lochlea is still a working farm and access isrestricted.

7. Mossgiel Farm and NationalBurns Memorial Tower EastMossgiel Farm. B744/A76. The National Burns MemorialTower and a cairn by theroadside (B744) commemoratethe importance of Robert’s timeat Mossgiel. The poems he wrotehere include ‘To A Mouse’ and‘The Holy Fair’.

8. Burns House Museum and Nanse Tinnock’s Inn. This excellent museum presentsthe Mauchline years of Robert’slife. An apartment in the mainmuseum became his firstmarried home in1788.

9. Mauchline Kirkyard. Mauchline Kirkyard reads like a Who’s Who of the poet’s life.The graves of four of his

20 A Burns Roundup trails of discovery 21

Burns used the experience of these turbulentyears to create some of the most memorablepoetry ever written.

Rich material for the budding poet

The Burnes family lived at Lochlea Farm, only a mile to thenorth of Tarbolton, from 1777 – 1784. After the death of Robert’sfather they moved to Mossgiel Farm which he and his brotherGilbert had secretly arranged to rent while their father had stillbeen alive. The social opportunities offered to Burns inTarbolton and Mauchline offered him rich material. He paintedscenes of local life and character with humour and honesty. He had a number of love affairs during this time, most famouslywith ‘Highland Mary’ Campbell. Almost certainly he intended toemigrate to the West Indies with her but, following the successof his first book in 1786, he turned his attentions to marriagewith Jean Armour and to further publications in Edinburgh.Campbell died later that year, some say in childbirth. Burnsused the experience of these turbulent years to create some of the most memorable poetry ever written.

Jean Armour

Wider Horizons inKilmarnock and Irvine

Burns came to Irvine in thesummer of 1781 to learn thecraft of dressing flax, which heintended to grow on the familyfarm at Lochlea. His stay wasnotable, however, for a‘bosom-friendship’ with CaptainRichard Brown, a worldly wisesailor six years Robert’s senior,who encouraged him to take his literary talents seriously. Four years later, Burns rode onhorseback the eight miles fromMauchline to Kilmarnock with a collection of handwrittenmanuscripts – poems, songsand epitaphs – the product of several years’ composition. The poet’s many friends hadalready subscribed to a copyof ‘Poems, Chiefly in theScottish Dialect’. The now rareKilmarnock Edition was printedin the town on 31st July 1786and sold out overnight. Burnsleft the town in January 1782after a disastrous fire.

1. NewmilnsBurns was a frequent guest ofthe Rev. Dr George Lawrie atNewmilns Manse and becamea member of Lodge LoudounKilwinning in 1785.

2. Burns and his Printer. Bronze statues of Robert Burnsand John Wilson by AlexanderStoddart. Wilson’s printing pressfirst published Burns in 1786.

3. Laigh Kirk and Tam Samson’s Grave.The Laigh Kirk is mentioned in Burns’s biting satire ‘TheOrdination’. Here lies the graveof Tam Samson, a Kilmarnockseed merchant immortalised in ‘Tam Samson’s Elegy’.

22 A Burns Roundup trails of discovery 23

4. Auld High Kirk. Sitting beside the town’s railwayviaduct, the kirk dates back to1731. The kirkyard includes thegraves of John Wilson andJames McKie, a foundingmember of the Robert BurnsWorld Federation.

5. Burns Monument.Dominating a ridge overlookingKilmarnock town centre, thismonument dates from 1879and commemorates the firstedition of ‘Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect’. A firedestroyed much of the tower in 2004 but W.G. Stevenson’smarble statue of the poetsurvived and parts are stillvisible.

6. Dean Castle.This is the headquarters of theRobert Burns World Federation.It houses the Burns collectiononce in the estate of JamesCunninghame, 14th Earl ofGlencairn, who was a friendand patron of the poet.

7. Heckling Shed and Lodging HouseRelive Burns’s sojourn in Irvine in the winter of 1781/2 in the

thatched shed where the poetlearnt the craft of flax dressing.

8. Irvine Burns Club.See some of the rarestmanuscripts in the poet’s hand, marvel at a fascinatingcollection of art andmemorabilia and enjoy a livelyaudiovisual presentation in oneof the world’s oldest Burnsclubs.

9. Statue of Robert Burns (1896).Created by the Victoriansculptor-poet J. PittendreighMcGillvray, this memorial standson Irvine Moor, 1km north ofIrvine town centre.

10. Eglinton Woods. Stroll in the footsteps of CaptainRichard Brown and RobertBurns as they discussed hispoetry. A cairn and plaquecommemorates their winterwalk in 1781.

Photography - Alister Firth, John Skilling Text - David Hopes, JamesGibson, Angus Middleton, JohnSkilling, Dave Killicoat, LordGlasgow, John Skilling.

Robert Burns

Irvine Beach

Arran from Ayrshire

Kirkoswald Kirkyard

Eglinton

A Burns Roundup and Wandering Wild

GGrr ee ee nn ff ii ee ll dd

AA vv eenn

uuee

TennisCtCt

BowlBowlGrnGrn

R o z e l l e P

AllowayAllowayPrimaryPrimary

To Mayb

ole

PlPlShanterShanter PlPl

PattlePattle Pl

Pl

WicketWicket

Burn'sBurn's

ParkParkDoonbankDoonbank

PlPl

Pl PlWrightfield

Pa r k

Vi ew

Pa r k

Vi ew

WellparkClochranhill

ClochranhillRd

Murdoch's Lone Murdoch's Lone

Be l l e va l e Avenue

Be l l e va l e Avenue

AAuucchheennddoooonn CCrreessAAuucchheennttrraaee

CCCaarrwwiinnsshhoocc

SSttrraa

tthhddoooo

nn

BBrroouu

nnDDrr ii vv

ee

Slap-Slap-househouse

LLoonnggbbaannkk

TThheeLLooaa

nniinngg

WWooooddeenndd RRddUUppppeerr CCrrooffttss

DD oo oo nn hh oo ll mm

RR ooaadd

RRiiggwwooooddiieeSShhaann

tteerr WWyynn

dd

CChhaappeell PPaarrkk RRooaadd

AArrrrooll

DDrr

GGeeaarrhhoollmm

Ewen-Ewen-fieldfieldParkPark

Ewen-Ewen-fieldfieldRdRd

CCrreesscceenntt

MMtt CChhaarrlleess

BB uu rr nn ee ss ssAA vv ee nn uu ee

ArnpriorArnpriorPlPl

TheTheLoaningLoaning

UpperUpperLoaningLoaning

Doon-Doon-holmholm

PlPl

LL oo nn gg hh ii ll ll AA vv ee nn uu ee

DDOO

OO

NNFF

OOOO

TT

RROO

AADD

BB77002244

Tam o'ShanterExperienceExperience

MMtt CChhaa

rrlleess

CCrreess

VVwwCorse-Corse-

hillhillPkPk

LLoonnggllaannddssKKnnoollll PPaarrkk

CarselochCarselochRdRd

River

Doon

Auld Brigo' Doon

Burns Monument

Playing Fields

R o z e l l e P a r k

B e l l e i s l e P a r k

BelleisleBridge

Hotel

CunningPark

SlaphouseBridge

Tam o'ShanterExperience

To Mayb

ole

AllowayKirk

RugbyGround

BurnsCottage

BrigendCastle

S e a f i e l dG o l f

C o u r s e

B e l l e i s l eG o l f

C o u r s e

TennisCt

BowlGrn

DutchMill

AllowayPrimary

Gr e e n f i e l d

A v en

ue

B7024

A71

9

PlShanter Pl

Pattle Pl

Wicket

Burn's

Summer-field

Cottages

ParkDoonbank

Pl

PlWrightfield

Pa r k

Vi ew

WellparkClochranhillRd

Murdoch's Lone

Be l l e va l e Avenue

Auchendoon CresAuchentrae

Cres

CarwinshocVw

Stra

thdoo

n

Brou

nD r i v

e

Slap-house

LongbankRd

CairnC

re s cen tB a i rd Road

Baird

Road

TheLoa

ning

Woodend RdUpper Crofts

D o o n h o l m

R oad

RigwoodieShan

ter Wyn

d

Shanter Way

Chapel Park Road

Arrol

Dr

GearholmRd

Ewen-fieldPark

Ewen-fieldRd

Crescent

Mt Cha

rles

Cres

Mt Charles

B u r n e s sA v e n u e

ArnpriorPl

TheLoaning

UpperLoaning

Doon-holm

Pl

L o n g h i l l A v e n u e

Auld Nick's View

Corse-hillPk

LonglandsPk Knoll Park

CarselochRd

Cambusdoon Drive

DO

O

NF

OO

T

RO

AD

HIGH

MA

YBO

LE

RD

AL

LO

WA

Y

Al loway

Belleisle

© Nicolson Maps PU398098© Nicolson Maps PU398098? ?© Crown copyright reserved? ?© Crown copyright reservedBased on the Ordnance SurveyBased on the Ordnance Survey

map with the permission of Her Majesty's Stationery Office.Her Majesty's Stationery Office.Unauthorised reproduction byUnauthorised reproduction byany means infringes copyright.any means infringes copyright.

The grid on this map is theThe grid on this map is theNational Grid taken from theNational Grid taken from theOrdnance Survey map withOrdnance Survey map with

the permission of The Controllerthe permission of The Controllerof Her Majesty's Stationery Office.

© Nicolson Maps PU398098? ?© Crown copyright reservedBased on the Ordnance Survey

map with the permission of Her Majesty's Stationery Office.Unauthorised reproduction byany means infringes copyright.

The grid on this map is theNational Grid taken from theOrdnance Survey map with

the permission of The Controllerof Her Majesty's Stationery Office.

Alloway Walking Tourtrails ofdiscovery

Map Key

detail

Alloway Walking Tour

Wandering Wild

Clyde Muirshiel

Upland Ayrshire

Carrick Country

The Castles of Ayrshire

Northern Tour

Central Tour

Southern Tour

A Burns Roundup

A Burns Roundup

Alloway Walking Tour