Make tracks for Ayrshire's superb coastal path

Aug 1 2008

ONE hundred miles of beaches, paths and tracks could transform the Ayrshire coastline into a walkers’ paradise.

Four years after it was proposed, Ayrshire Coastal Path finally opened to the public – much to the delight of the dedicated team behind the project.

The route will run from Glenapp in the south to Skelmorlie in the north and takes in some of the most stunning coastline in the UK.

The project started in 2003 when Ayr Rotarian Dr Jimmy Begg proposed creating a path from Ayr to Dunure and Culzean Castle to celebrate Rotary International’s 100th anniversary.

But with the help of South and North Ayrshire Councils, Ayr Rotary Club opted to expand the idea to take in the entire Ayrshire coastline.

Dr Begg explained: “We are delighted to have realised our dream of establishing an Ayrshire Coastal Path.

“It’s been a long slog but it was worth it.

Volunteers from the Rotary Club of Ayr spent four years obtaining consent from farmers and landowners, securing grant aid, digging paths, clearing waste and installing kissing gates and fords.

More than 300 signs were erected to link existing natural beachs and walkable short paths, tracks, promenades and evenrailway tracks.

And £70,000 later the entire project is complete and Dr Begg is confident that it will attract walkers eager to enjoy Ayrshire’s rich history and stunning scenery.

He added: “We wanted to provide Ayrshire folk with healthy exercise and an opportunity to experience and cherish their own countryside, as well as attracting a great number of walking visitors to our beautiful and historic county.”

For more information on the route log on to www.ayrshirecoastalpath.org or contact guidebook@ayrshirecoastalpath.org

The official guidebook, written by Dr Begg, is available from local booksellers.