Photographs, route description and maps of the walk along the Ayrshire Coastal Path from Troon via Prestwick to Ayr on the Firth of Clyde

Town Hall Spire

across Ayr River

South Pier

from beach at Ayr

Beach at Ayr

Map and Walking Route from Irvine to Troon along the Ayrshire Coast

Map of Troon

Map of Walking Route

from Troon to Ayr

along the Ayrshire Coast

Map of Ayrshire Coast

Walking Route from Troon to Ayr

Location: Ayrshire Map: OS Landranger 70
Distance: 8 miles (13km)
Time: 3-4 hours
Terrain: Coastal paths; flat

This is a fine walk that starts by weaving out of Ayr, a historic town full of resonances of Robert Burns among others. Indeed the walk starts in the square that holds the Bard’s statue, continuing past the pub named for perhaps his most famous poem, Tam 0' Shanter. The focus then switches to William Wallace, after whom an old tower is named [ though there is no direct connection ) before the River Ayr is crossed and a route through the busy dock area leads out of the town to its neighbour, Newton -on-Ayr. Here, with possibly some relief, you reach a beachside promenade which leads to one of the many golf courses on the Ayrshire coast, Prestwick St Nicholas.
At the end of this a little jink takes you straight on to the long promenade of Prestwick. The town itself is set a little way back from the sea front, and in between are more golf courses, including “old” Prestwick, which holds the distinction of hosting the ﬁrst staging of the Open 150 years ago. lt was a very different sport then to the one we see on our TV screens today but the players’ skills were just as acute.
After Prestwick comes a truly delightful meander on a little path at the top of the dunes. You need ‘ to cut inland to cross a substantial burn and then jink through a caravan 5 park before reaching the edge of Royal Troon, which hosted the Open in 2016. The path veers away from the course and lands you on the beach which provides a ﬁne ﬁnale to the walk, allowing for good progress and grand seaward views across to the unmistakeable proﬁle of Arran.

Route:

From Elurns Statue Square TR into Alloway St and then into High St, past the Tam o‘ Shanter inn.
At the Wallace Tower TFl to the river and TL on the riverside path.
Cross the Auld Brig and TL.
Cross the main road and take the first right ( Back Peebles St ).
Follow it through across Waggon Ftd into Glene Ftd.
TL over railway bridge and sharp L down to the Promenade.
At its end continue on a track beside St Nicholas Golf Course.
Go R and L past clubhouse then L on a road to the promenade at Prestwick.
At its end at a round building climb the dunes and follow the path beside the fence.
At a break in the dunes in about 800m go R on a path then track to e bridge over the river.
Follow track into the holiday park then a path beside the wall and then lelt as signed to reach the beach.
Follow the beach to Troon.