A straightforward circuit of the farmland and moorland south of Muirkirk following the course of long-abandoned railways and canal with pleasant open views. Stretches of young woodland make this a good walk for songbirds.
Bog Factor
Good footpaths, surfaced minor road and farm track. Open grazing land.
Walkers car park, Kames near Muirkirk.
None to start.
NS696264
From the car park at Kames, turn towards the road and take the path to the right signed River Ayr Way. Go through the gate and onto the path which follows the route of an old railway. Opened in 1848 the railway transported coal and minerals from the local pits to the iron work furnaces in Auchinleck. Now long gone, the railway bed makes a convenient footpath.
The path heads through young woodland with views over to Muirkirk and the hills beyond to the left. At a fork bear left following the River Ayr Way waymarker. Steps lead down onto the bank of a former canal dug in 1790 which transported coal by barge from Lightshaw, Auldhouseburn and Crossflat pits before the railway was built. Go through a pair of kissing gates and continue as the path crosses a small footbridge and later another bridge.
Eventually the path reaches a quiet country road at two metal gates; go through these and turn right, leaving the River Ayr Way. This minor road heads uphill through the remains of an old railway bridge. At a fork keep left uphill soon passing Auldhouseburn House. The house is thought to date back to 1610 though it was heavily modified in 1884. There is rumoured to be an escape tunnel running from the house to a nearby burn. The house had links to the Covenanters, a 17th century religious and policital movement who were persecuted and often forced to hold their services in secret and live in hiding.
Keep on uphill and follow the road as it bends right and passes between a barn on your left and farm buildings on your right. Continue on the track passing another barn on your left and at a large turning area keep right to follow the level track over a burn. Keep the stone wall on your right and pass the large poultry unit to head onto open farmland.
Go through a farm gate and follow the now fainter track with good open views of hills south of Muirkirk, including the popular 593m Cairn Table with summit war memorial. Go through a gate into the woodland and keep ahead at the junction passed earlier. The prominent clock tower of Kames Institute can be seen ahead, built as a recreation centre for the miners formerly housed in the village it is now semi derelict. Follow the path to return to the start.
This website and app are run by 'Walkhighlands for All' - a not-for-profit set up to serve walkers' needs.
We rely on the generosity of our users - can you help?
