Ayrshire Coastal Path 5: Maidens to Dunure

Summary

After a short stretch of sandy beach, the walk heads through Culzean Country Park on easy paths and tracks. After passing the castle, the route descends to another lovely stretch of rocky shoreline and beaches. Check tide times before continuing north of Croy Beach as route is impassable at the highest spring tides.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Sandy and rocky beaches, paths sometimes boggy and overgrown, farm tracks and surfaced roads.

Public Transport

Boths Maidens and Dunure are served by bus.

Start

Maidens seafront. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 10.25km / 6.25 miles
Time: 4 - 4.5 hours
Ascent: 157m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NS212079

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Walk Description

User reports (1)

Stage 1

Head north along the front from the car park at Maidens of Maidenhead Bay, soon dropping down to continue across the fine sands. When the Hogston Burn is reached at the north of the bay, follow it inland to cross at a footbridge. Turn right on the far side, soon reaching gate. Here you enter the National Trust for Scotland's Culzean Country Park.

Stage 2

Go through the gate and begin the walk along the well-named Long Avenue, keeping straight ahead as various footpaths go off left and right. Eventually there is a path on the left side of the road, running parallel to it. Pass the Walled Garden (on your right) with a grand house, then follow the path as it curves right, then left, to head along Silver Avenue. Eventually an Ayrshire Coast Path waymarker indicates where to fork left, passing underneath a stone bridge. Culzean Castle remains out of view - but a quick detour to the left through the next arch will give you a view of this fantastic building.

Stage 3

Otherwise, keep ahead to a track, then bear left and finally turn right to descend wooden steps down towards the shore - reaching the Gas House sheltered at the bottom of the hill. Turn right to pass the seaward side of the Gas House, following the path which soon leads onto the beach.

Stage 4

Continue along the rocky shore; with fine woodland to your right and the sea to your left, this is a beautiful spot. After a short distance a path climbs up to avoid a headland. It then passes a cottage before returning to the beach, eventually passing the carpark at Croyburnfoot.

Stage 5

Continue along the beach, using stones to cross a burn, and eventually passing below the caravans. Rounding the immediate area of Isle Port would be very difficult or impossible at extreme high tides, otherwise continue along the rock and sand shore until a rocky spur juts out towards the water. Head up from the beach here to pick up a path through the bracken to bear right at a waymarker and information board. From here the path zig zags up the cliff passing Katie Gray's Rocks, once an ancient settlement but now little more than a scattering of rocks. There are good views back over the water to Culzean Castle.

Stage 6

At the top go through a gate and bear left to stay near the coast following a path (boggy in places) which skirts the edge of the field keeping the hedge on your left. Go through a gate and over a small bridge and follow the fence and hedge inland going round a small ravine. Keep an eye out for a gate and bridge on the left, cross this and continue through the field soon heading towards a prominent lookout tower.

Stage 7

Pass the tower and continue next to the fence until a kissing gate. Go through this and although the road (and phone mast) is just up to the right don't climb up to it, continue on the grassy path ahead instead, descending slightly towards trees. Once through the trees there is an excellent view to Dunure Castle ahead. Head down steps and bear right at a T junction with another path. Soon the large picnic area of Kennedy Park with car park and toilets at Dunure is reached.

Stage 8

There has been a castle at this site since the 13th century although the ruins seen today date from the 15th and 16th centuries. Home to the Kennedys of Carrick who ruled much of south west Scotland, the castle hosted Mary Queen of Scots in 1563. It is believed it may have once had a drawbridge and a cave underneath may have been used as a secret tunnel to access the castle from the sea. The adjacent 15th century doocot would have been used to house over 200 doves to supply the castle with meat and eggs. Dunure itself was founded in the early 19th century as a fishing village and has a pub/restaurant. The harbour was used to film a number of scenes in Outlander series 3. Next stage: Dunure to Ayr

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