Lagg to Whiting Bay - alternative route

Summary

This route avoids the challenging boulder scrambling and tidal sections around Bennan Head and Dippen Head on the main Arran Coastal Way route - you can switch between the two routes at Kildonan to avoid either or both of the two headlands. Avoiding Bennan Head involves a detour up to the road until Kildonan; the route avoiding Dippen Head climbs high into the forest before descending to Whiting Bay.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

First shore section gives some rougher, wetter going; once turned inland, the route follows good tracks or minor roads, with a final descent on a woodland path.

Public Transport

Lagg, Kildonan and Whiting Bay are all well by bus.

Start

Lagg Hotel, Kilmory . Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 19.25km / 12 miles
Time: 6 - 7 hours
Ascent: 387m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NR955216

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Accommodation

Stage 1

From the hotel at Lagg, begin by heading east along the road, almost immediately passing Toby's Tearoom. Just beyond this turn right onto a earth track - signed for Torrylinn Cairn - that heads uphill through mature woodland. Keep right at a fork, emerging from the trees and continuing along a grassy lane lined with bluebells in early summer. Soon the track curves left - and a gate gives access to the remains of Torrylinn chambered cairn - thought to date back 5,000 years. When the lane ends ignore the turning to the right and head along the path ahead between two fences.

Stage 2

Look out for a pedestrian gate on the right - an Arran Coastal Way marker indicates to turn down a path here. It emerges on a track; turn right along this and follow it down to the shore of sand and pebbles. Turn left here to begin the walk towards Bennan Head. Walking on the beach is easiest at first, but later the best going is over the sometimes wet grassy ground alongside. Any path is indistinct so it's a surprise to come to a large sign indicating a point from which it is '1.3km to Bennan Head, 4.2km to Kildonan'. Further on another sign indicates where to turn off left for the inland route (the more challenging tidal route keeps to the shore for Bennan Head). A path leads to the bottom of a track that climbs to the left to head away from the coast.

Stage 3

When the fields are reached at the top of the slope, head through the gate to continue directly away from the coast. Follow a rough grassy track ahead through two more gates, climbing up to pass to the right of a white cottage. Bear right in the yard, then turn left to follow a track continuing uphill to the left of a large metal agricultural shed. Follow the track as it continues up to the main road, then turn right along this. The road is followed for around 4km until the junction above Kildonan; turn right here to follow the road down to the village.

Stage 4

Once down at the shore follow the coast road to the left, passing the houses including an impressive brick villa with balconies and a tower. There are good views over to Pladda island and Ailsa Craig beyond. Just before the road bends slightly inland and before you reach the Kildonan Hotel there is a parking area on the left, in front of the old schoolhouse; the inland alternative again leaves the coast by turning left up a track here, aiming left of the cottages. (The main route continues by the coast around Dippen Head - whose boulders are even harder going than those at Bennan).

Stage 5

Continue up the track, curving right behind the cottages and then left through a gate. At a junction further up leave the main track which swings right, instead turning left onto a narrower track. Pass through another gate, then follow the track when it curves right (ignoring a gate into the field ahead). A larger track is reached; turn right along this, following it up past chalets to the main road. Turn right along the main road until a bench; here the route turns left onto a signed, surfaced footpath.

Stage 6

The path runs through an area of felled forestry but is clear to follow, winding to and fro and climbing past another seat. Bear left onto a forest track when the path emerges at a turning area, and keep straight ahead along the track, ignoring any side branches. After some distance the track descends a little via some zig-zags, with good views towards Holy Island.

Stage 7

Ignore two tracks leading off to the right (the second leads to the Giant's Graves which can be visited by a short detour). Now the track swings left, traversing high above the glen of the Glenashdale Burn.

Stage 8

At a signpost ('Glenashdale Falls') turn right to begin the descent to Whiting Bay (the next stage of the route returns to this point so you can continue if you wished to omit Whiting Bay). The path descends to a viewing area overlooking the upper part of the magnificent waterfall here; turn right to continue to a viewing platform - this gives the best views. Known as the Eas a' Chrannaig in Gaelic, the double falls are around 140 feet (45 metres) high - click on the photograph to expand to see the whole cascade.

Stage 9

From the platform continue down the path, descending steeply for a time and crossing a footbridge over a tributary. Keep straight ahead at a path junction, where a path from the Giant's Grave comes in from the right. Keep ahead to reach the road towards southern end of the village of Whiting Bay.

Next stage: Whiting Bay to Brodick - Waterfall Route
Next stage: Whiting Bay to Brodick - Coastal Route

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