We are the Cunninghame Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
Linda S.
The walk comprises two linked country estate/woodland walks: one of Eglinton Country Park; the other of Montgreenan Estate. These are joined by a road through the small, former mining village of Benslie.
Our walk starts at the visitor centre of Eglinton Park where there is ample free parking. We walk through Eglinton Park by the Castle, through Benslie to the woods of Montgreenan Estate where we will follow Lugton Water to the ruins of Montgreenan Castle/ Bishop’s Palace which lie in a loop of the Lugton Water at its confluence with the Cowlinn Burn. There, we will stop for lunch before continuing to follow the river, then walk up from the woods and onto open farmland. We will walk the formal paths of Montgreenan Estate where the old woodland has recently been tended to restore health and provide a blend of landscaping and ancient woods. Then it is back through Benslie and in the ‘back way’ to Eglinton Park and return to the car park.
We will have a first break either at Benslie or at the start of the woods depending on what the group prefers. A lunch stop is planned at the ruins and there are toilet and coffee opportunities at the beginning and end of the walk at Eglinton Country Park Visitor Centre.
Our walk begins and ends at The Visitor Centre, Eglinton Park where there are toilets and a cafe.
The walk is pretty flat with only a few minor uphill sections, using a roughly 50%/50% blend of minor roads and earth tracks through parkland and mature woods. These may be boggy or rough in places. The road section has no pavement, is not busy and the usual care should be taken with single file walking recommended. There are two low fences to be stepped over with no actual climbing involved.
We meet at 9.40 for a 9.50 departure at Morrison's Supermarket, Stevenston. Walkers assemble in the corner of the car park away from the supermarket doors, in the corner of the car park nearest the big A78 roundabout. We share cars from there for what is just a five minute journey to the start of the walk at Eglinton Park, Visitor Centre.
The Visitor Centre Car Park, Eglinton Country Park
