We are the Kilmarnock & Loudoun Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
Whitelee is the largest onshore windfarm in the UK and generates 539 megawatts of electricity from 215 turbines, enough to power 350,000 homes.
The walk follows the road adjacent to the spine road with a right turn at turbine 7, to follow the track that weaves between some of the turbines that make up the windfarm. We leave the track at turbine 5 to cross a short section of moorland that is a bit wet and uneven, so gaiters and pole useful for this part. Where the track meets the Craigendunton reservoir there is a wire fence to climb over followed by a 3 foot wall that follows the edge of the reservoir. We continue on a track alongside the reservoir crossing two small bridges until we join a short section of road through woodland. We will have lunch along the next stretch depending on weather conditions, as some parts fairly exposed. After lunch we will continue to follow the road around the top of the windfarm coming round in a circle towards the control centre and Lochgoin Farm. At the top of this hill sits the Lochgoin Monument, which is dedicated to John Howie, author of Scots Worthies, which was erected in 1896 and commemorates the Covenanter’s. We then re-join the spine road, and it is a straight route back to the parking area with one gradual incline.
Walk Distance 8.3 miles
Please let me know if you will go straight to the start points at the windfarm. Thanks.
Leader: Morag Lewis Contact: 07920862245
Terrain: Mostly level tracks with one gradual incline on return leg and one short section across moorland. Some wet and muddy areas so poles and gaiters recommended. Two obstacles, a wire fence a low wall at the reservoir that need to be climbed over.
Unfortunately, there will be no access to toilets as the visitor centre is closed for the festive period.
Travel Information
Distance from Kilmarnock: 10.2 miles
Location. Parking at layby on B764 at first entrance opposite to Whitelee Windfarm marked for Windfarm Operations Centre
Route: M77 north from Kilmarnock. Join A77 at junction 8 at Fenwick and stay on this past the Galston turnoff until the roundabout where you can re-join the M77. Go straight through the roundabout which passes under the M77, taking the next right signposted B764 Eaglesham. Follow this for approx. 2 miles with the parking area at the layby on the left opposite the first entrance to the windfarm. This is just after the sign for the Ayrshire boundary where the trees on either side of the road finish. Parking here for about 10 cars with more space inside the entrance for the windfarm on the right.
Walk commences from layby. Please be careful crossing the road into the windfarm as traffic travelling along this road at speed.
Meet at East Ayrshire Council Headquarters car park, 95 London Road, Kilmarnock KA3 7BU. Meet at 09.00 to arrange car share and leave prompt at 09.15.
Location. Parking at layby on B764 at first entrance opposite to Whitelee Windfarm marked for Windfarm Operations Centre. For further information see Travel Information above.
