This post contains affiliate links from which I may make a commission. All opinions are my own. If you’d like more information you can contact me via the Contact page, a link to which is at the bottom of this page in the footer.

An ideal walk for the longer Spring and Summer evenings, mainly along surfaced roads with one muddy section inside the woodland area of Craufurdland Estate. You will spend the majority of the walk out in the open countryside, from where you can admire the views on a clear day. There is another, more challenging option for this route which cuts across a number of fields on a public right of way, instead of using the Grassyards Road. It is slightly shorter but more uneven underfoot with several stiles to cross.
Car parking available next to the Tesco store, Glasgow Rd, Kilmarnock (KA3 1UT). Rather than using the supermarket car park, use the area beside the row of shops/takeaways, close to the Glasgow Road/B7038. Closest train station is in Kilmarnock, 1.5 miles away. Local bus service from Kilmarnock down centre and buses to/from Glasgow stop on Glasgow Road, at the start of the walking route.
Route: From the car park next to the Tesco supermarket, head across the grass verge and onto the pavement of Glasgow Road/B7038. Turn left (North East) and walk along the pavement for 450m until you see a single track road on your right, signposted “Borland” (street name on the map is Meikle Road). Cross the Glasgow Road onto Borland. You’ll cross the Fenwick Water then the road will start to go uphill. Near the top of the hill there is a crossroads – continue ahead (East) past the brown access information sign. The road takes you onto the A77 flyover. 140m beyond the flyover, turn left (North East), following signs for “Borland Lane walking and bike trails”. This takes you into Craufurdland woods. At the end of the long, tree-lined track turn right (South East). This woodland trail brings you out onto the main road in the Estate. Turn left (North East) and walk along the road, passing the fishing loch and the Laird’s Table cafe, and continuing to leave the Craufurdland Estate via the gated entrance. Turn right (South East) on Waterslap and follow the road for 1km. At the end of the road turn right (South West) onto the Grassyards Road (signposted “Kilmarnock”). After 1.5km, turn right (North West) onto Wardlaw Road (note the triangular signpost for “Ford” near the start of this road). Continue along Wardlaw Road until you reach a ford. Cross the ford via the footbridge then continue along the road for 800m, walking beneath the A77 flyover on the way. Turn right (North) at the end of the road junction. This takes you back to the crossroads you were at earlier, at the bottom of “Borland”. Turn left (South West) and retrace your steps back to the car park.

Use this website often? I invite you to support my work through Patreon or by making a one-off donation.
WALK REPORT: 20th April 2016
A few weeks ago I wrote about the Three Parks Loop which was the night I joined a group of ladies who go out every Wednesday evening. Today it was my turn to show them a route and I wanted to take them away from the town and it’s popular country parks and show them somewhere (hopefully) new. I actually did a similar route a few days ago with my son to check that it would be ok in terms of distance and that the underfoot conditions were good. On the night we choose to ditch the grassy farmland and it’s many stiles and stick to the country roads for the return leg of the loop. We were very lucky with the weather, it was arguably the best day this year so far: blue sky, sunshine, I seem to remember some of us walking in t-shirts actually!
I think everyone enjoyed it…! I certainly loved playing tour guide. In fact, I was having so much fun that I forgot to take photos – the ones you see here are borrowed from my other walks in the area… I regret not having one of the group though, sorry ladies! But thank you for your great company :-)



Hi Tracey thanks for your message. Dean Castle Country Park is lovely so not a bad de-tour to have taken! You maybe turned left on the country road instead of right, which would have taken you along past the riding stables. Enjoy when you go back with your bike!
LikeLike
I did this walk with a friend today. It was lovely and our first time in the Craufurdland estate. We did go slightly wrong at the end and came out through Dean Castle country park. Hopefully we’ll get it right next time! Definition motley want to go back to explore by bike as well.
LikeLike
Hi Ellen this one might be suitable…
https://gillianswalks.com/2018/03/30/fenwick-snowdrop-walk/
I’d suggest doing the Snowdrop trail from Craufurdland to Fenwick and back the same way (or vice versa), as the entire route above would be too long for a 45 min walk.
LikeLike
Hi Gillian
Looking for a short level (ish) off-road walk around the Craufurdland area for a small group of mostly elderly people, a gew of whom have walking or hearing issues. Walk duration should be 30-45 minutes and should begin and end in car park at The Laird’s Table.
LikeLike