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Invalid Image SizeAyrshire Coastal Path

N Ayrshire, S Ayrshire

143 km / 89 miles
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!


Details:

Waymark: Invalid Image Size
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 View on StreetMap
Finish: NS193683 - Skelmorlie, N Ayrshire View on StreetMap
Open Date: June 2008
Web Sites: Ayrshire Coastal Path Scotland's Great Trails Ayrshire Coastal Path Certificate Camino Adventures - Guide to Walking the Ayrshire Coastal Path [blog] Walk Highlands - Ayrshire Coastal Path

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 )

Maps:

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Scotland's Great Trails
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Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2016.
© OpenStreetMap contributors under Open Database Licence.
Rights of way data from selected Local Authorities.
Large scale digital mapping is provided by John Thorn.
At high zoom levels the route is indicative only.
Purchase Ordnance Survey Maps:
OS Landranger 63, 70, 76
OS Landranger Active 63, 70, 76
OS Explorer 37, 309, 317, 326, 333, 341
OS Explorer Active 37, 309, 317, 326, 333, 341

Walking Support Providers:

Support Providers
Baggage Handling and Self-Guided Walks (Great British Walks Limited)

Accommodation within 5 km of this Path:

 
 
From
Path
Along
Path
Hostel Accommodation
3 km
123 km

Connected Paths:


Downloads:

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GPX Route File
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MemoryMap Route File
Ayrshire Coastal Path Memory Map Route File
Last Updated 19/06/2016 21:58:41
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Tracklogs Route File
Ayrshire Coastal Path Tracklogs Route File
Last Updated 19/06/2016 21:58:42
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Route Profile:

142.6 km (88.6 miles)
1,652 m (5,420 ft) ascent
191 m (627 ft)  maximum height

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