The Ayrshire and Arran Coastal Paths. Keith Fergus

      Continue along the path as it descends alongside the A77 by way of a grass verge, which runs between a fence on the left and a metal barrier on the right that separates the path from the main road. The fence is there to protect against getting too close to the edge of the verge, as steep slopes fall away to the coast. The path here can be quite tight at times but the terrain is good for walking. Cross the entrance and exit of a small car park, then as you round a corner you are treated to superb views down to Lendalfoot, towards Pinbain Hill and further north to Turnberry. Continue walking down the path to pass a waymarked sign and the entrance to Balsalloch Farm and North Ballaird, before the route drops down to the coast and passes Bennane Shore Holiday Park. The metal barrier has to be crossed then re-crossed here as the verge travels over a burn.

      The superb views along the coast to Balsalloch Hill and Pinbain Hill from above Lendalfoot

      Continue along the verge past the Bistro @ Pebbles Spa, then cross the entrance of the spa onto a pavement. As you continue along the pavement the temptation is to head down onto the beach but it is very rocky and not ideal for walking along so it is best to stay above the shore. Great boulders can be seen sitting on the beach, while there are also very attractive cottages on view on the outskirts of Lendalfoot. These small, quaint and wooden dwellings are quite idiosyncratic. As you approach Lendalfoot these views enhance the pleasant walking along the pavement. Bear left away from the A77 at a lay-by and follow the road round to the Varyag Memorial.

      The Varyag was an iconic Russian warship that was badly damaged and suffered many casualties in the 1904 Battle of Chemulpo Bay during Russia's war with Japan. A mismatched battle heavily in favour of the Japanese resulted in extensive damage and the ship became immobile as a result. In 1905 she was salvaged by the Japanese and, renamed Soya, became part of their navy. During World War I, however, Japan became an ally and many ships were returned to Russia, including the Varyag in 1916. She was brought to Britain under her reclaimed Russian name in the following year for repairs but, because of civil war in Russia, they never took place. The ship was eventually sold as scrap to Germany in 1920 but, ironically, sank during a storm when being tugged across the Firth of Clyde. The Varyag went down only 450m off the coast at Lendalfoot.

      When you leave the memorial continue along the road and back onto the pavement beside the A77. Head down onto the beach at this point where there is good solid walking by Lendalfoot. Once away from the village, however, make your way back up onto the pavement and onto a grass verge, as the beach becomes very rocky. Continue along the verge to pass the small, unobtrusive grave of one Archibald Hamilton and crew. The gravestone reads:

      The Memory of Archibald Hamilton and crew, Natives of Kings Cross, Arran who were drowned near this place September 11th 1711.

      Climbing the old coach road away from Lendalfoot above Kennedy's Pass

      Once away from the grave the verge becomes very narrow, so head back onto the beach. Continue over some boulders and onto a shingly beach that provides good walking with plentiful surrounding wildlife. As you walk along the beach you pass a sign to the right at the edge of the main road that informs road users that walkers cross the A77 after another 300 yards. At this point head back up to the road and onto the pavement, which then ends at a grass verge. Walk along the verge to reach a waymarked sign just before a bend in the road at Slockenray. Cross very carefully over to the eastern side of the road to reach a wooden gate. Go through the gate and climb a good path up a very steep slope away from Slockenray and onto an old 18th-century coach road. This steep-sided gorge is initially quite impressive but after the gravel path climbs steeply round a hairpin bend the gradient eases slightly. The pass runs high above the coast and gives fantastic views back to Bennane Head and Lendalfoot, as well as north along the coast and towards Arran.

      Go through a wooden gate and follow a good track, climbing gradually towards the lower slopes of Pinbain Hill. The walking is excellent and very peaceful here, with a wide variety of surrounding wildlife including buzzards and kestrels. As the track levels out at the base of the hill, go through another wooden gate. Continue on the track, traversing the hill's lower slopes. The hill climbs steeply to your right with sheep grazing on the open moorland.