This straighforward flat section of the Ayrshire Coastal Path links the seaside towns of Ayr and Troon, via Prestwick. It follows wide sandy bays with a mix of beach walking and surfaced footpaths.
Bog Factor
Sandy beaches, earth track, promenades and pavements.
Low Green car park. Ayr.
Ayr and Troon both have regular bus and rail services.
NS329208
This stage starts at the Esplanade car park at Ayr beach, on the seafront southwest of the town centre. Leave the car park heading north to a small roundabout - here turn briefly right along Blackburn Drive but then turn left onto a pink gravel foopath when the road bends right. The path heads across the open grassy pace of Low Green to reach the corner of Wellington Square at the imposing County Court building.
Go straight across the road and past the front of the court building, continuing onto Cassilis Street. When a tower is seen, fork right along Bruce Crescent to pass to its right. The tower is all that remains of St John's Church, complete with musket ball dents in its base. Continue along the crescent, which soon becomes Montgomerie Terrace. At the far end go down the broad fenced footpath then turn right before the flats. The path now runs along the outside of the walls of Ayr's former fort, built by Crowell. Turn right at the far end, then bear right into a yard to visit Loudon Hall, a 15th Century townhouse and the oldest building in Ayr.
Exit the courtyard via Boat Vennel and then turn left, soon crossing the New Brig and head along along Main Street - following cycle route 7 signs. Where the road forks, branch left onto Peebles St. At the T junction cross diagonally right and follow Glebe Crescent and then turn right onto Glebe Road. At the end of the road keep straight on heading for the railway bridge. Turn left to cross this and follow the road around the edge of the industrial port to reach the seafront. Follow the pavement or the beach if the tide is low.
Either continue on the beach or follow the surfaced path which runs on top of the embankment next to the golf course. After a short distance this path descends onto the shore to round the small headland of Bentfield Point. Soon head up onto the promenade and follow this into Prestwick, passing the sailing club, houses, and then a car park with toilets and children's play area.
Continue onwards to a circular waterworks building. Here path drops down to the sandy beach. Continue along it for around 700m until you can spot a sign in the dunes indicating a path up. Follow this, keeping to the left of a fence line, then go straight ahead at a track to cross a bridge over the Pow Burn. On the far side turn left, going left again to cross another bridge that leads into a caravan park. Keep ahead, then bear right to keep left of a tall brick wall, then bear left again to take a path that descends steps to the beach on the north side of the burn. Follow the burn to the main beach and turn right along it.
Cross Troon South Sands for around 2km; inland is the Royal Troon Golf Course. Look out for a marker which indicates where you can leave the sand to join the surfaced promenade across the front of the town. At the northern end of the bay a path leads up onto the top of a long grassy mound. Enjoy the views across to Arran from this; the mound is known as Ballast Bank as it was formed from the discarded ballast of coal ships. At the far end of the bank drop down and follow the minor road which soon curves back inland past the lifeboat station, sawmill and industrial units to reach the marina with large car park.
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