Brodick Castle and the Hamilton Trail

Summary

This route takes in some of the best of the many interconnecting paths leading through and around the Brodick Castle Country Park. It heads through some beautiful woodland and has much of interest, including gorges, waterfalls, rhododendrons and azaleas in season, a burial ground and a reconstructed bronze age hut as well as Brodick Castle itself.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

The walk follows a maze of woodland footpaths and tracks; muddy in places. There are purple waymarkers but these do not cover the whole route.

Getting there

Start

Cladach; larger car park opposite next to the Mountain Rescue base.

Public Transport

Bus to Cladach.

Start Grid Ref

NS012376

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 3.5km / 2.25 miles
Time: 1 hour
Ascent: 87m (Profile)

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

This route begins from the Cladach 1.5km north of Brodick; there is a larger car park off the A841 opposite the pink Wineport Bistro, and also a bus stop. The route can be done Brodick on foot - and extended to become an even finer walk - by combining with the Fisherman's walk from the seafront. From the Clacach Centre, begin the walk up the track to the right of the bistro, curving behind it to pass the Arran Brewery. Take the main Goatfell path in the far corner and follow this as it ascends up into the woodland.

Stage 2

Ignore a path off right (with a purple marker), but take the path that forks left a short distance beyond. The path winds through the trees, crossing a wooden footbridge. Further on it reaches another footbridge at the foot of the gorge. On the far side follow the path as it turns right and then left to climb up to meet a minor road, with views to a stone bridge over to the right. Go straight across the road onto the path opposite.

Stage 3

Ignore a path forking down to the right and continue ahead, keeping high above the burn which flows through a small gorge. There are views to several small waterfalls. At a fork keep left. At the next junction, fork right (old marker post signs this for the Goatfell track, 0.5km).

Stage 4

The path soon crosses a large footbridge over the burn - with more waterfalls below. Bear slightly left at the next cross-paths junction (marked Goatfell track, 0.2km). At a larger crosspaths keep straight ahead, signed for the castle.

Stage 5

The broad path leads through the trees; soon a small gated cemetery is on the right. Brodick Castle is the ancient seat of the Dukes of Hamilton, and this small private graveyard forms the last resting place of the 11th and 12th Dukes and their wives. After the cemetery the path narrows; at the next junction keep right, soon leading downhill and then crossing a footbridge.

Stage 6

The path comes close to another small gorge, and later crosses another footbridge. Eventually a metal gate is reached; pass through this. The route continues over a footbridge, but before crossing it's worth making a detour along the path to the right to visit the Bronze Age hut (signed). To reach this keep left at a fork. The reconstructed hut, whose inside is open on certain days (admission charge or included with castle ticket). After visiting retrace your steps to the footbridge and this time cross it.

Stage 7

Soon the path emerges at the Ranger Centre. Take the path to the right (along the left side of the Ranger Centre), passing the adventure playgrounds. After these After these fork left to reach the rear of Brodick Castle. The castle itself - and the more formal gardens on the opposite side - are open to the public on payment of an admission charge, and are well worth a visit.

Stage 8

Otherwise cross the driveway to the near right corner of the castle, then take a track starting down a slope to the right. This immediately bends left - keep ahead onto a path signed for the Squirrel Hide. This can be visited by a signed detour to the right, zig-zagging down to the burn then turning right to reach the hide. After the hide turn right at the junction, then right again to follow the main path to the entrance hut. Cross the bridge then fork left, then finally take steps off down to the left to return to Cladach.

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