Ayrshire Coastal Path

N Ayrshire, S Ayrshire

The 100 mile Ayrshire Coastal Path from Glenapp Kirk, just north of Stranaraer, to Skelmorlie, seven miles south west of Greenock, along Scotland’s south west coast, was officially launched on 28 June 2008. Created by the Rotary Club of Ayr, the project was devised and coordinated by retired GP Dr Jimmy Begg, and his volunteer band of fellow Rotarians, who spent many hundreds of hours surveying, scrub-clearing, path-building, and setting contracts for gates and signage.

Walking northwards along the Ayrshire coast (best direction - with wind and sun in their backs), walkers will gaze constantly on one of the finest panoramic coastlines in the British Isles, with the granite plug of Ailsa Craig, then the ever-changing profile of Arran - 'The Sleeping Warrior' - providing a feast for the eye and the camera.

From Glenapp to Ayr, the path follows wild cliff-top tracks, old turnpike roads, and rough and sandy beaches, past ruined castles and small fishing villages - and the Open Championship golf course at Turnberry. From Ayr northwards, the going is much gentler along sandy beaches past Prestwick - the birthplace of Open championship golf - and its successor, Royal Troon.

The wildlife is prolific, but is best seen - as always - by small groups with muted clothing and voices. Inspired by the work of Ayr Rotary, the Rotary Club of Stranraer is about to develop a 10-mile path from Stranraer to Glenapp, which will link the Ayrshire Coastal path to the Southern Upland Way; and in the north, Gourock Rotary Club is hoping to develop a link from Skelmorlie to the Erskine Bridge and Forth and Clyde Canal, thus forming a link with the West Highland Way. It will then be possible to walk from Eyemouth to Inverness via Stranraer and the Ayrshire coast - if you are brave enough!

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Details:

Path Type:	Scotland's Great Trails
Waymark:	Coastal scene in green on white disc
Attributes:	Scotland's Great Trails Average Gradients Coastal Heritage Sport
Start:	NX073745 - Glenapp Kirk, Ballantrae, S Ayrshire
Finish:	NS193683 - Skelmorlie, N Ayrshire
Open Date:	June 2008
Web Sites:	Ayrshire Coastal Path Scotland's Great Trails Undiscovered Scotland - Specific Walks Walk Highlands - Scotland's Long Distance Walking Routes Ayrshire Coastal Path Certificate Camino Adventures - Hiking the Ayrshire Coastal Path [blog]

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Publications, Badges and Certificates:

Guidebook	Ayrshire Coastal Path: The Official Guide Book  (Rotary Club of Ayr  - 2014 2nd Edition )
Guidebook	Ayrshire and Arran coastal paths  (Cicerone Press  - 2011 )

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