Ayrshire Coastal Path 6: Dunure to Ayr

Summary

A trickier section of the Ayrshire Coastal Path, featuring some sections of hard walking on rocky and slippery foreshore. Leaving the beautiful harbour at Dunure the route undulates across farmland and shore with good coastal views before passing below the dramatic cliffs of the Heads of Ayr and onto Greenan Castle, the symbol of the whole route. Check tide times before leaving Dunure Harbour - a high spring tide will necessitate a wait or difficult scramble.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Sandy and rocky beaches, muddy/grassy farm tracks and surfaced promenade.

Public Transport

Ayr has regular bus and rail services, linked to Dunure by bus.

Start

Kennedy Park, Dunure. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 11.75km / 7.25 miles
Time: 4.5 - 5 hours
Ascent: 144m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NS252157

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (5)

Stage 1

From Kennedy Park in Dunure take the path past the castle to the right as you face the sea to pass the well-preserved doocot. Soon this passes a couple of large lime kilns and reaches the old fishing cottages of Dunure. Follow the lane as it curves left and then bear right to reach the harbour.

Stage 2

The harbour supported a lucrative smuggling trade in the 18th century as well as a large fishing fleet which operated here in the 19th and 20th centuries, now it's mainly a base for leisure boats and a few fishermen. Check the state of the tide against the harbour ladders as indicated on the sign and if in doubt check again online.

Stage 3

Walk around the harbour and onto the pebbly beach beyond, passing below the seawall and an impressive house. At the far end white paint marks where to head through a cleft in the rock to continue round the coast. The route stays fairly close to the shore weaving amongst rocks and following white paint markers as it crosses this open grazing land. After descending to a gate and small bay the route heads inland to continue on higher grassy ground before returning to the shore.

Stage 4

Cross a fence at a kissing gate and after going through a stone wall and a section of grassy path the route descends a muddy gully to rejoin the shore. Head across the pebbly and rocky shore, later there is a boggy path in the vegetation above the beach. Aim for a white marker to round the headland into Fisherton Bay - if the tide is too high do not attempt to continue, the only option is to wait or head back.

Stage 5

Continue on the rocky shore soon picking up a path under the trees near the shore. After a bench, take the long flight of steps inland to bypass the next headland. At the top head through a kissing gate and across a field and another kissing gate. Follow the white marker in the centre of the next field to reach the next gate. The next section is easy walking along an old railway line with excellent views over Bracken Bay ahead.

Stage 6

The views continue to improve as the old railway line is followed through farmland. At one point a missing bridge means the route heads down and up to keep following the old railway. Just before the caravans of the Heads of Ayr Caravan Park bear left and go through two kissing gates before continuing ahead along the edge of a field with the caravans on your right. Emerge onto the track from the caravan park and turn left towards the sea. A gate leads to a path heading down the cliff and then the path turns right along the shore and sand of Bracken Bay towards the imposing Heads of Ayr headland.

Stage 7

At very high tides getting round the Heads of Ayr can be impossible but usually there is space and the sand on the far side makes good walking below the high cliffs. A rockier section of shore and a stream crosing leads to a semi-sandy bay below a large holiday park. Continue on the beach and at the far end bear left through a rocky gap in Deil's Dyke to be presented with an impressive view of ruined Greenan Castle perched precariously above the bay.

Stage 8

Cross the sandy bay to pass below the castle. The fortified tower house was built in 1601 on the site of a 12th century castle to deter raiders from the sea. However it was inter-clan warfare that made Greenan castle famous, with the murder of Sir Thomas Kennedy in the woods just outside the Castle forming the basis for 'An Ayrshire Tragedy', a short play by Sir Walter Scott. Continue beyond the castle and soon bear right to leave the beach and follow a signed path parallel to the shore.

Stage 9

The town of Ayr is now in view. Continue along the path, passing through a parking area and then path once more. This leads to a footbridge over the River Doon and onto the cycleway and promenade at Seafield. Continue along the surfaced track for a kilometre to reach a big car park overlooking the beach. There are toilets and a cafe here.

Next stage: Ayr to Troon

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