Walk 85 – Eglinton Country Park, Kilwinning – 1.6 miles

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Eglinton really is a unique Country Park in Ayrshire - unlike any other I have visited. It is spread over a vast area and has so many quirky parts, full of surprises. This short route is ideal with the kids and takes in the all-abilities play park, courtyard and cafe, headless statue (!), castle ruins and Eglinton Loch. Take a picnic on a nice day!

Print  Dog-friendly walk

  The easiest way to travel to Eglinton Country Park is by car. There is plenty of free parking onsite. If using public transport the closest train station is in Kilwinning, 2 miles away. From there it is possible to cycle (approx 10 mins) or walk (approx 40 mins) or take a bus to Irvine Road/A737. From the bus stop the start point is approx half a mile /15 minutes away on foot. Eglinton Country Park is accessible by bike with good cycle parking onsite. It is located close to the National Cycle Network routes 7 and 73.

Eglinton loop

WALK REPORT: 21st August 2016

It is hard to believe that my first visit to Eglinton was only a couple of months ago, during the school summer holidays. I live no more than 15 minutes away by car and have done so most of my life yet had never ventured there! It is pretty unique in it’s features, different to any other country parks I have been to around Ayrshire. I knew I would be back soon with my husband to show him around and today was the day!

The route we took is described above (minus the race back from the castle ruins to the courtyard area with our youngest for the toilet…. why do they always wait until you are at the furthest possible point from a loo before declaring “I need a pooooooooo”?!). Looking at the map there are lots of other parts of the Country Park to discover, I just went the same way I had done with my friend during my first visit. I would like to go back and walk around the entire loch, and I noticed way markers pointing out the New Town Trail which definitely looks interesting for a longer walk in the area!

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We had the kids with us so spent quite a bit of time at the large play park before starting the walk. It is great for age 3+ and is actually an all-abilities play park. There is a smaller one for younger children just next to it. Plenty of picnic benches in this area too!

The courtyard area is lovely. There are plenty of picnic benches as well as a cafe and toilet facilities. Take a coin for the wishing well and look out for the stone dog water bowl outside the loos!

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The headless statues! This can be found right in the middle of a huge rectangular grassy area surrounded by hedges. All around the statue there is a beautiful wildflower garden which was in full bloom when we were there.
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Just love this bridge!
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The castle ruins are so interesting. One full wall remains, as well as a tower. The rest is all broken down almost to ground level but you can still make out the shapes of each of the rooms which would once have made up the building. The kids had a ball playing hide and seek here!
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Eglinton Loch. We only saw it from the very edge but I believe there is a path which goes right around it. I will return one day to walk it! The day we were here there was a man fishing here.
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The bridge leading back from the loch towards the castle ruins. The route we followed turns left after crossing. Just next to the bridge there is also a small ford which was too deep when we went but I imagine when the river is low you can cross there too!
The tree-lined track back from the bridge to the car park.

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