Ardwell Bay has a fine sandy beach, looking across to Northern Ireland on the western side of the Rhins. This short circular also visits the remains of an iron-age broch.
Bog Factor
Mostly tracks with some open fields (grazing cattle) and coastal path.
Ardwell Bay car park.
None to start.
NX071449
Ardwell Bay is on the west side of the Rhins peninsula; the road to it is single track and the final section down to the bay is unmade and rough - care is needed to drive down to the car park near the bay. This is a beautiful spot with a good sandy beach. The walk begins by continuing along the track towards the slipway.
Cross the stile beside the footpath sign and continue across the grassy ground beyond. Soon the rocky coastline means you have to bear left, where a clearer bit of path leads through some rocks. The path then rises slightly to gain a dyke - a line of harder rock that has resisted erosion and sticks up slightly. From here turn towards the sea and take the short detour out along the path on this spine of rock to visit the remains of Doon broch.
An iron-age defensive tower, this broch is unusual as it has two rather than just a single entrance and does not have the usual double-wall feature. It is also one of only 3 brochs in the area, most being found in northern and north eastern Scotland. The structure was stablised and restored slightly in 2022, it sits in a dramatic location with good views over the sea.
From the broch return over the rocky promontory and pick up the path heading to the right across the grassy slope. The path is narrow and as it passes above the cove known as the Hooies and the single cottage comes into view ahead, the path is eroded and care is needed. Cross to the fence and farm gate just to the left of Slunk Cottage. Climb the wooden supports next to the gate (no stile) to access the field on the left of the cottage. The route now continues next to the fence on your right keeping outside the garden of the cottage. Go through the gate into the next field and stay on the right hand side of the field following the waymarker posts.
The field climbs slightly and with a view to South Ardwell farm ahead go through the next gate onto a wide green lane between fences. Go through the next two pedestrian gates ahead to reach the farm track. At the farm turn left and follow the track up between rolling fields. When another track is joined keep left.
It then emerges at a corner of the access road you used to drive to Ardwell Bay earlier; turn left past the whitewashed cottage to follow this back down to the car park passing a small lochan on the way.
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