Alloway - Doonfoot - Greenan - Belleisle Park - Alloway

Jude Paterson

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The walk starts in the village of Alloway, close to the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, Alloway Church and the auld haunted kirk. As Robert Burns said, '...Kirk-Alloway seem'd in a bleeze, Thro' ilka bore the beams were glancing, And loud resounded mirth and dancing...'

The walk takes you along the old Maidens and Dunure light railway line to reach the coast near Greenan Castle. This line was originally built in the early 20th Century to serve the then new hotel and golf course at Turnberry. Greenan Castle is one of the famous views in Ayr, its ruins set high up on the shore. After a short spell on the beach, you follow the River Doon for a short distance. There is a suitable refreshment stop at this point, in the Balgarth Hotel.

The walk then continues, to pass through both Belleisle and Rozelle Parks. Both of these parks are worth further exploration than is detailed in this walk. Each has its own mansion house, Belleisle's now being a hotel and restaurant and Rozelle's housing the Alexander Goudie exhibition of paintings depicting the Tam o'Shanter story.

Upon exiting Rozelle Park, the walk returns through Alloway to the starting point. Time should be allowed to finish the walk by visiting the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, the Burns Monument and the auld haunted kirk. The museum has a cafe and the gardens beyond have picnic tables.

The walk can be modified should you wish to use public transport to reach the start. In Ayr there are bus routes which can be boarded at Burn's Statue Square (close to the railway station) or on The Sandgate, these can lead to The Loaning or Burns Cottage to access the walk.

Scotland - South Scotland - Ayrshire and Arran - Countryside