Road
From Glasgow follow the M8 south to junction 22 and exit onto the M77. Follow this south for approximately 15 miles until the M77 merges with the A77 and then continue south, following signs for Stranraer. The A77 continues through many Ayrshire towns and villages such as Maybole, Kirkoswald, Girvan and Ballantrae to reach Glenapp, which is approximately 11 miles north of Stranraer. If travelling from the south follow the M6 and cross the border to join the M74 at Gretna. Leave the M74 at Junction 22 (Gretna) onto the A75 and follow this for around 90 miles, going through Dumfries and bypassing Castle Douglas and Newton Stewart to reach Stranraer. From there follow the A77 north for 11 miles to reach Glenapp.
Getting Around
Trains
Scotrail provide regular, daily trains from Glasgow Central to Wemyss Bay (a short walk from the north end of Skelmorlie) and to Ayr. No direct rail service links Glenapp with Skelmorlie although all the towns along the Ayrshire coast have their own stations.
Buses on the mainland
There is no direct bus route between Glenapp and Skelmorlie but Stagecoach operates regular, daily services to all the towns along the route.
Buses on Arran
Stagecoach provides an excellent bus service right round Arran. Regular, daily services leave from Brodick Ferry Terminal and stop at all locations en route.
All public transport information should be checked before setting out. See Appendix C for various options.
When to Go
The routes can be walked at any time of the year, but the months between April and October offer the best conditions to enjoy them. Some sections are long (as far as 18 miles) and, although these can be broken down to suit, they do require ample daylight. During winter the beginning and end of the route may well finish in the dark.
The spring, summer and autumn months also provide the best opportunities to view the wonderful plants and animals en route and allow the walks to proceed in, hopefully, reasonable weather.
It also has to be taken into account that on Arran there is always the chance, particularly during winter, of strong winds. These could lead to ferry cancellations that would leave you island-bound with disrupted plans.
The routes cross a lot of farmland, therefore be aware that during spring the lambing and calving season is in full flow.
Accommodation
Autumn leaves in Currarie Glen (Day 1)
The Ayrshire and Arran Coastal paths are well served with accommodation including various hotels, B&Bs, hostels and campsites. Naturally, however, there are a few areas that prove to be exceptions. There is no accommodation at all in Glenapp and very little after Ballantrae until you reach Girvan, apart from some off-route options that would require you to make other travel arrangements, as well as adding extra time into your schedule. Bearing that in mind, this book has been written so that each day finishes where there is somewhere to stay. The further north you go on the mainland the more there is a marked increase in your options. Arran is also very well served for overnight stays although places to stay between Lochranza and Blackwaterfoot are sparse. Accommodation should be booked well in advance, especially in summer. There is a basic accommodation list in Appendix B but for up-to-date details please contact the Ayrshire and Arran Tourist Board www.ayrshire-arran.com 0845 22 55 121.
Legend says Bennane Head was the home of the notorious Scottish cannibal Sawney Bean (Day 2)
Food and Drink
Like the variety of accommodation on offer, the route is predominantly well served for refreshments with many shops, restaurants, cafés and pubs but, similarly, there are some areas where these facilities are thin on the ground. There are no options on Day 1 until you reach Ballantrae, while those between there and Girvan on Day 2 are also limited. The same can be said for Arran, where a lot of the route is well away from the beaten track and it can prove to be several hours before any shop is passed. Consequently, adequate supplies of food and drink should be taken, particularly when options for buying food and drink are limited.
Money
While the hotels, restaurants, pubs and shops along the route will take both cash and credit cards, be aware that a few may not and, as the route is predominantly rural, it may be a couple of days until a bank or ATM is available. It is always best to carry enough money to cover at least two days' walking. There are several post offices en route with cash withdrawal facilities, while many of the larger supermarkets offer a cashback service.
Ayr seafront from Deil's Dyke (Day 4)
Keeping in Touch
All of the major towns and some of the smaller villages along the route have post offices. Internet access is limited to the larger towns and although mobile phone reception is generally good, there will be times when it is restricted in more remote spots.
What to Take
If you are setting out to complete the Ayrshire and Arran Coastal Paths in one go then a light rucksack with waterproof, maps, compass and a change of clothing for the evening are essential. There are also a few burns and rivers to cross as well as some boggier sections that may result in wet feet, so a change of socks is recommended. A lot of the walking is rough so a good pair of walking shoes or boots is vital, as are good navigational and map reading skills, which may be required depending on the weather.
A note of tide times is important (see the Timing section), as the height of the tide on several occasions will determine when to start your day's walking. If the route is to be broken down into one-day sections then all of the above applies. The exceptions are that a lighter day pack would suffice and that it is necessary to take a note of public transport times, as the routes are linear and require buses or trains to return you to your starting point.
Waymarks and Access
Waymarks throughout the route are excellent but when crossing open stretches of moorland keep your eyes peeled for the relevant marker posts. Similarly, routes can take several turns through the streets of busy towns so keep a close lookout for directional changes. The route follows accessible land and has been set up with the full co-operation of landowners, local councils and residents. It passes through farms, near to people's homes and gardens, golf courses and the streets where people live. All this must be taken into account when walking the route and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code must be obeyed.
Margaret, Ballantrae – one of the many charming boats to be found en route (Day 2)
THE SCOTTISH OUTDOOR ACCESS CODE
Many people make their living along the length of the Ayrshire and Arran Coastal Paths and many more visit the area throughout the year. Furthermore, the route is home to an incredible diversity of wildlife. Please be aware of all this when walking the route and exercise your access rights responsibly. You can do so by following the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, the main points of which are listed below.
To find out more about the code please visit www.outdooraccess-scotland.com.
1 Take responsibility for your own actions.
2 Respect people's privacy and peace of mind. When close to a house or garden, keep a sensible distance, use a path or track if there is