Historic Ayr, Ayrshire
Distance: 7km/4.5 miles (short version 5km/3 miles)
Time: 2-3 hours
Grade: Easy town and promenade walk
THIS walk explores the historic heart of Ayr and also provides a good helping of bracing sea air. Ayrshire is Burns country and from the station you enter Burns Statue Square, with the poet (sculpted by George Lawson) gazing south towards Alloway. When the statue was unveiled in July 1891, the crowd was estimated at 40,000 people.
In Alloway Street you will find the Tam o’Shanter Inn. It dates back over 250 years and naturally, Burns is said to have enjoyed his share of revelry here, as did Douglas Graham of Shanter, on whom Tam’s character was based.
Now step further back in time with the Wallace Tower, designed by Thomas Hamilton, who also designed the Burns Monument at Alloway, in 1832. The great patriot warrior is said to have been imprisoned in an earlier tower here. After crossing the River Ayr on Turner’s Bridge, you turn left and enjoy the riverside walk. There are usually swans and ducks on the water. Across the river you can see the Auld Kirk and its churchyard. Reach the 15th century Auld Brig: opposite is the Black Bull, originally a coaching inn called Simpsons and mentioned by Burns in 1786.
Cross the Auld Brig, then turn right and walk down High Street. On the corner is the fine Town Hall (1827, also by Thomas Hamilton) with its 68-metre steeple, guarded by griffons and a landmark for miles around. In Boat Vennel is Loudoun Hall. This is the oldest house in Ayr, built around 1513 as a semi-fortified town house for James Tait, a wealthy trader. It has been restored, and is the oldest surviving example of a town house of this kind in Scotland.
As you walk down South Harbour Street, look left on Fort Street to the former Ayr Academy. Its grand façade featured three stone heads representing literature, art and science, represented by Robert Burns, Sir David Wilkie and James Watt.
Next is Cromwell’s Citadel. Finished in 1654, it was the largest of the five forts he had built in Scotland and must have made a powerful statement. It housed over 1200 troops, but on Cromwell’s death in 1660 its military use ceased. The curious turret is a 19th century addition. In Ailsa Place you can see more fort wall, showing how extensive it was. You then pass St John’s Tower, all that remains of the 13th century Kirk of St John the Baptist. The Scottish Parliament met here in 1315 to settle the succession of Robert the Bruce.
You soon come to Wellington Square, a pleasant open space with statues facing the imposing County Buildings, now the Sheriff Court (1822, Robert Wallace). Beyond it is Low Green, a large open space given to the new Royal Burgh by King William the Lion in 1205 and maintained for public use ever since. As you start the walk along the Esplanade you will find a board indicating that you are on the Lang Scots Mile, which is not the same as an English mile! Step out beside the sea with the fresh air filling your lungs.
You can shorten the walk by turning left at the end of Low Green. For the full walk continue as below.
Having walked your "lang mile", leave the Esplanade to walk beside the old racecourse. There has been horse racing in Ayr for centuries and the ‘new’ course north of the river stages the Scottish Grand National each year.
Back at Low Green (short walk rejoins here) take the path straight ahead. About two-thirds of the way up the green, go right, across the grass past seats, to go through a gap in the wall and follow Fairfield Road and then Miller Road back to Burns Statue Square and the station.
Distance: 7km/4.5 miles (short version 5km/3 miles)
Time: 2-3 hours
Start/finish: Ayr railway station (GR: NS 341215)
Public transport: Regular trains and express buses from Glasgow to Ayr.
Details from www.travelinescotland.com Information: Ayr TIC (01292 290300), www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/tourism/ayr
Refreshments: Wide choice in the town centre.
Route: From Burns Statue Square, turn R into Alloway St. Turn R into Miller St and cross river by Turner’s Bridge. Turn L and follow riverside path to Auld Brig. Recross river. Turn R on High St, cross into Boat Vennel and continue on South Harbour St. Turn L by fort walls and L again into Arran Terrace. Continue along Ailsa Place. Turn R on Cassilis St to Wellington Sq. Walk down to Esplanade and turn L. Walk down Esplanade for 2km and take path into Carwinshoch View. Cross Doonfoot Rd and turn L inside wall. At junction TL into Seafield Rd. TR Blackburn Drive, take path ahead crossing Low Green. Turn R into Fairfield Rd. Cross Racecourse Rd into Miller Rd and return to Burns Statue Sq.
Link to digital map: https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/route/4373433/sw34-Historic-Ayr © Crown copyright 2020 Ordnance Survey. Media 059/20.
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