We are the Cunninghame Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
Pamela F.
What's the 'lollipop' all about? I hear you say. Now that I've piqued your interest, the walk is neither circular nor linear but up one way, loop around then reconnect with the original path on the return. The route of the plotted walk looks like a lollipop! (as described by Linda). This is a great wee walk with cracking views (weather permitting), waterfalls and history. You must wear waterproof boots and poles would be handy for the descent of Lairdside Hill.
Before I continue with the description, I must stress that parking outside the gates to Ladyland House is extremely limited. With considerate parking, 4 cars can fit. If you are planning to drive directly to Ladyland House on your own, please initially stop off at Garnock Street carpark next to Tesco (not Tesco's carpark) in the centre of Kilbirnie to car-share for the final couple of miles. Only continue up to the final meeting spot if you are travelling with a full car of passengers. If meeting at Morrisons car park in Stevenston, please add as many passengers as possible to each car.
Now for the best part, the actual walk. Starting at the gates to Ladyland House, just over 2 miles out of Kilbirnie, we walk up the track, passing the deserted Cockston Farm before crossing the first of 3 mini fords. On the recce we were able to simply walk through them (hence the waterproof boots). Although, they have been known to be impassable.
From the track we get our first view of Lairdside Hill where you can just make out a pile of stones on top. This is the remains of the shepherd's cottage called Tadmor, which was last occupied in the 1830s by the Meikle family before they emigrated to Canada.
We'll have a brief coffee stop. During the recce we had the excitement of watching the farmer and his dogs rounding up sheep from the hillside. They passed our coffee spot which made our day.
We cross a footbridge and walk along a path with a steep drop. Legend has it that a young lady threw herself off rather than go through with a forced marriage. Once through a gate, we start the gentle climb, passing the remains of Cockmalain. This was last occupied by a shepherd and his family in the 1930s.
It's not far to the summit, which can be reached by either gently traversing the hill or straight up. It's really not steep at all. As mentioned earlier, the piles of stones at the top are the remains of a cottage. If it's windy and/or raining on the day, no doubt you will ask the question, what would possess anyone to live up here? Take in the views (hopefully) - hills to the west and Glasgow to the north east. It may be possible to see the remnants of an old Avro Ansen aircraft that crashed on a training flight from Glasgow in 1938.
Once we've taken in the views, we make our way down the other side of the hill, passing a small loch, a pond really, before reaching the Maich Water. The descent is quite steep so your poles will be useful. We follow the track for a bit before stopping for lunch. This is us back on the path that took us to the hill, so it's a case of following it back to the cars.
The parking outside the gates to Ladyland House is very limited. With considerate parking, 4 cars can fit.
Morrisons carpark in Stevenston at 9.15am is the initial meet spot. If you can fill cars there, then by all means go straight to Ladyland, but please let me know by text that you're doing this. Once you reach the centre of Kilbirnie, at the Radio City roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Bridgend/A760 then take first left into Dipple Road. Continue for just over 2 miles, looking out for the entrance gate / parking area to Ladyland House.
If planning to meet at the walk start, you are asked to initially stop off at the free Garnock Street carpark immediately to the right of Tesco, postcode KA25 7JR, in the centre of Kilbirnie. To access the carpark, take the 3rd exit off the Radio City roundabout into Garnock Street. Only continue up to Ladyland House if you are travelling with a full compliment of passengers or as many as possible. We may not be the only people parking at the gate.
On exiting the car park, from the Radio City roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Bridgend/A760 then take first left into Dipple Road. Continue for just over 2 miles, looking out for the entrance gate/parking area to Ladyland House.
This is assessed as a grade B moderate walk.
There are no stiles or gates to climb over.
Starting at 10am, we should finish around 2pm.
Unless you have a suggestion, there's no where special in Kilbirnie for a post walk libation
My contact is 07505 381322 or pd.fisher1206@gmail.com
Morrison's supermarket, Kilwinning Road, Stevenston. We meet to share cars and offer lifts at the far corner of the supermarket car park, nearest the big roundabout on the bypass. For this walk, please fill each car if possible as parking at the gates of Ladyland House is very limited.
Either add passengers to cars at Garnock Street carpark next to Tesco's in the middle of Kilbirnie KA25 7DJ. If going directly from Morrisons with a full car, then use KA25 7JR. Approx. 25 minutes from Morrisons.
