We are the Cunninghame Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
We start walking from The Kennedy Car Park, Dunure where there is no parking charge and closed toilets during the winter season.
We immediately pass the impressive ruins of the medieval Dunure Castle and go around the harbour of this quaint fishing village. Then it is careful walking along the cobbled shore where we must cross Drumbane Burn at the foot of its waterfall. This was ankle depth on the day of our recce and for this waterproof boots are recommended.
Once past the rocky outcrop that is our tidal hazard we will have a tea break on the shore, then follow a series of markers to walk a combination of vegetation obscured disused railway lines, grazed pasture (i.e. with cattle) and beach front to Fisherton Bay and the Heads of Ayr Caravan Park. There are a steep set of steps to climb at Fisherton Gully then views over the water to Ailsa Craig, Arran and Ireland!
Heading away from the shore, we start to use paved roads including one 400 meter section of the fast A719 where we will walk single file on the verge. We start our ascent to The Police Wireless Station by way of a tarmac path. We then traverse the ridge to the Trig point on Brown Carrick hill. (287metres high. 941ft.) and walk open hillsides, clamber over several imperfect stiles and gates then pick our way through the remnants of a felled timber plantation: all of which require attention and nimble footwork. There’s a wee fishery to notice as we join the track and descend back towards the village of Fisherton. We see Carrick Castle in the distance and Dunduff Castle along the way. From Fisherton it is a half mile walk by road back to Dunure where there’s a couple of nice wee cafes and pubs for those with a thirst at the end.
This is a grade B, 10.5 mile walk with 1200ft ascent to Brown Carrick. We will walk on a variety of surfaces including tarmac and open countryside.
Please note the earlyish start time. This is to ensure that we will avoid the high tide at Dunure and thus be able to walk along the shore around the promontory of rocks that become impassable on this tidal section of the Ayrshire Coastal Path.
There is an ankle deep burn flowing down the shore in the early stages of the walk. Waterproof boots poles and gaiters are advised.
There are pubs and cafes in Dunure for refreshment at the end of the walk for those who fancy it.
The corner of the car park nearest the big roundabout, Morrison’s Stevenston, Kilwinning Road KA20 3AR
Kennedy Car Park, by Dunure Castle, Dunure, KA7 4LW It is free to park here in the winter season. Bus no 361 goes from Ayr bus station to Dunure. The one leaving Ayr at 09.20am arrives in Dunure 09.41am.
