Ayrshire Coastal Path 7: Ayr to Troon

The Coastal Path north of Ayr becomes increasingly busy as the farmland and rolling Carrick hills give way to once-proud seaside resorts and industrial endeavour. This section leaves the historic port and County town of Ayr to follow wide sandy bays past the airport at Prestwick to the ferry terminal at Troon, both responsible for drawing tourists away from their surrounding areas in the clamour for cheap holidays abroad.

Terrain

Sandy beaches, earth track, promenades and pavements

Public Transport

Ayr and Troon both have regular bus and rail services.

Start

Low Green car park. Ayr. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

This stage starts at Low Green car park in Ayr, on the seafront south of the town centre. Leave the car park initially following the NCN7 cyclepath before soon crossing Low Green via a red path to reach Georgian Wellington Square at the imposing County Court building. Pass the pillared entrance and head along Cassilis Street and then Bruce Crescent to reach the remaining tower of St John's Church. As well as Cromwellian musket-ball dents in the lower tower walls, the church possesses a fascinating history and it is worth spending a little time reading the information boards in the area. Leave the tower on your left to carry on along Montgomerie Terrace and rejoin the NCN7 cyclepath. Obvious signs direct walkers (and cyclists) along the walls of the former bastion to Loudon Hall, a 15th Century townhouse and the oldest building in Ayr.

Stage 2

Cross the New Brig to remain on the NCN7 route along Main Street, and follow the waymarking through a succession of industrial backroads before crossing a final bridge to arrive at Newton-on-Ayr promenade. Follow this to reach a rough track running seaward of a golf course, before diving left down a ramp to the beach. Round Bentfield Point and hop up to the promenade to arrive in Prestwick. Follow the promenade for 2km before reaching a children's playground within the former public swimming pool.

Stage 3

Continue onwards as the path drops down to the sandy beach, and watch out for a large pole indicating a path heading inland through the dunes before Pow Burn. Cross the golf course practice ground the shadow Pow Burn and cross a footbridge towards a holiday park. Skirt around this to rejoin the beach on the northern side of the burn.

Stage 4

Now on Troon South Sands below the Royal Troon Golf Course, continue along the pleasant beach until the promenade is reached - head up onto this if desired. At the northern end of the bay a path leads up onto a long grassy mound on the southwestern side of the promontory that protects Troon harbour. Enjoy the views from atop Ballast Bank - formed from the discarded ballast of coal ships prior to loading in the harbour below. Drop down from the end of the bank and follow the minor road as it leads back inland past the lifeboat station, sawmill and industrial units to reach the marina with large car park.

Route: Phil Turner

Next stage: Troon to Irvine

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