We are the Kilmarnock & Loudoun Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
Marty W.
This is a 6.5 mile walk that is partially circular and partially linear. Most of the walk is on formed paths / tarmac but there are areas of woodland that can be boggy underfoot and the plan is to climb up a hillside to a local folly for lunch so walking poles and gaiters are recommended.
We are travelling to Castle Semple Visitor Centre, Lochlip Road, Lochwinnoch, PA12 4EA.
Please note: There have been some road closures and diversions in the Beith Area, meaning we may have to approach from Howwood direction rather than Beith. Diversion signs are in place. I am however hopeful the roadworks will be completed by the date of the walk.
We will park in the car park and start from the front of the visitors centre. There are toilets in the visitors centre and they open at 10:00.
We will start by walking along the loch shore, past the sailing club and sauna cabin! We keep right to stay nearest the loch.
We reach a junction with ornately carved wooden benches, then follow the path into the woods. We cross the cycle path, then 'Terry's Bridge’ to reach a small pond and a stone grotto.
After the grotto we reach a T-junction, we turn left, then left again onto a narrower path that heads uphill. The path is steep and climbs to reach the summit of Park Hill, where there's an artwork (seat). We will have a breather at the summit to admire the views, but it is early into the walk. On a good and clear day you can see Castle Semple Loch, Barr Loch, and even Kilbirnie Loch in the far distance.
Once we have regained our breath we continue along the path (fence on left) and then turn right to re-enter the woods at a path junction. In this part of the woods there is a footbridge (red signage) and a path that goes left and takes us out of the woods via a kissing gate. The track then takes us around the ruins of the Collegiate Church. Founded in 1504, the church is early gothic style, was visited by King James VI and was used up to the 1680s.
We will leave the track just before an old railway bridge and join the old railway track which is now a route for cyclists, walkers, joggers etc. We are going to go left along the path and then into the field / path that will let us climb up to the folly. We will retrace our steps from the folly and walk back into the visitors centre on either the loch side path or the higher path.
There are a number of beautiful view points and photo opportunities throughout the walk. There are lots of birds in the area (there is a RSPB Nature Reserve adjacent to the Castle Semple Loch) and on the recce we watched 4 deer graze right in front of us.
This is a walk of mixed terrain so consider gaiters and walking poles.
The visitors centre is open from 10-4 so there is a place for toilets before and toilets and coffee etc after the walk.
Meeting point is at East Ayrshire Headquarters 95 London Road Kilmarnock KA3 7BU where car sharing will be organised.
There is a large car park at the Castle Semple Visitor Centre, we will park there and meet in front of the Visitors Centre for a 10 am start. The journey from Kilmarnock should take approximately 40-45 minutes (22 miles each way)
