This walk will start at 10.00 from Lynn Glen car park. "Linn" is the Scot's word for waterfall. Leaving the carpark, a short stretch on pavements takes us down to the A737, where we carefully cross and pick up an upgraded path. This path follows Bombo Burn until we reach Dalry Station. Anyone travelling by train can meet us here. Gently rising up through Stoopshill, the West gatehouse of the Blair Estate is soon reached. In a clockwise direction the route now meanders through the estate. Through tree lined avenues and attractive wee bridges, where we see Bombo Burn again. There are masses of Gunnera plants thriving here. Continuing past Blair House, we head toward the old stables and past the old remnants of the walled garden and back to the west gatehouse.
Retracing our steps back to Dalry station and the carpark, we will continue on to do the lovely circuit of Lynn Glen. This is an opportunity for anyone not confident of walking the total 7 miles to stop at either the station or carpark.
Lynn Glen has SSSI designation, meaning Site of Special Scientific Interest due to the fact that the area used to be an ancient seabed. We will pass waterfalls, Pinnoch Point or 'Peden's Pulpit' named after a famous Covenanting preacher who was said to have delivered sermons from the large rock. There's a wooden plaque in memory of Bessy Dunlop. She was the wife of local farmer Andrew Jack, and said to be of simple mind. Her only 'crime' was to be a natural healer using plants from nature but was accused of witchery, called to trial, strangled then burned at Edinburgh's Castle Hill in 1576.
For the most part, the walking is on good paths but care is needed on the Lynn Glen wooden steps. This is an easy walk, grade C but moderate C+ if Lynn Glen included.
The walk comprises two loops: Blair Estate (5.5 miles) and Lynn Glen (1.5 miles). Walkers may complete both loops or the Blair Estate loop only. Lynn Glen car park is signposted at traffic lights on B714 off Kilwinning Road, Dalry.
Anyone car sharing, meet at 09.45 in Morrisons car park. The walk starts at 10.00 from Lynn Glen car park. The train coming from Glasgow Central departs at 09.12 arriving 10.12. If coming from Largs direction, it arrives into Dalry at 10.24. This is okay as we plan to leave the carpark at 10.00 and we will wait for you if necessary.
As this is a relatively short walk there is only one coffee stop in the grounds of Blair Estate. If requested, a second stop can be taken at Glen Lynn carpark.