Bargany Gardens are location approximately 4.5 miles inland from Girvan. The owners of this private estate open the gardens up to the public each May which is the perfect time of year to witness them in full springtime glory. The gardens comprise 50 acres of mature woodland, known for its colourful rhododendrons and huge fir trees. Within the gardens you will also find a picture-perfect boating pond, a walled garden with cherry tree orchard, a rock garden, various pagodas and a hidden formal lawn.
Category Archives: 0-3 miles
Walk 199 – Blue Bonnet Trails, Ayr & Alloway
The Blue Bonnet Trails are made up of the 3 mile Tam’s Trail and the 1.5 mile Alloway Trail. They follow the journey taken from Ayr Town Centre to Alloway by Tam o’ Shanter as recounted in one of the most famous poems ever written by Rabbie Burns. The Trails are best experienced using the fantastic Ayr Through the Ages app, in fact I would go as far as to recommend not doing them without it! The app not only loads up an interactive map which allows you to follow the correct route, but along the way you can also click on any of the 31 pinned locations to reveal fascinating historical information relevant to that point on the map, as well as hear excerpts from the Tam o’Shanter poem being recited. As you walk the trails look out for the blue bonnet way markers. The route described in the post below is 7.5 miles in total and takes in both trails with the addition of a loop back into Ayr via the beautiful promenade.
Walk 192 – Brockle Wood from Annbank – 1.6 miles
Discover the many trails of the beautiful Brockle Wood with its pretty burn that leads you to the mighty River Ayr. This short circular route has a lot to offer and is especially recommended in Autumn!
Walk 190 – Lynn Glen, Dalry – 1.3 miles
This short circular walk around the Caaf Water is packed with unexpected ‘fairy’ surprises hidden within a tranquil wooded glen. The gorge is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of the unique and interesting rocks it contains. Perfect for families and for anyone who likes waterfalls! The paths can be muddy at times and there are several sets of stairs.
Walk 189 – Kilmaurs Town Trail – 1.6 miles
A delightful short walk taking in some of Kilmaurs’ best bits, including Morton Park and the war memorial, St Maurs-Glencairn Parish Church, the remains of “Penny Bridge” and the impressive toolbooth known as the Jougs. It is actually much more of a countryside trail than its name suggests, including several field crossings. Wellies sometimes advisable!Continue reading “Walk 189 – Kilmaurs Town Trail – 1.6 miles”
Whitelee’s Secret Forest – Valley Walkfest 2019
The blurb for my guided walk read “Join Gillian’s Walks and Rennie Mason, Whitelee Countryside Rangers on a visit to the tranquil, scenic side of the UK’s largest onshore windfarm at Cleughearn Plantation. Walkers will be bussed to Ardochrig from Darvel and we will soon find ourselves on a mossy track through the forest. This area is home to an array of bird life and has its very own dragonfly pond. Roe deer may be spotted if we are quiet enough!” It seemed to spark an interest, and on Sunday 12th May 2019, an impressive 32 people headed out in 3 minibuses and a car to enjoy the walk!
Walk 186 – Plodda Falls, Scottish Highlands – 0.8 miles
Simply jaw-dropping! Experience how a bambling burn – Allt na Bodachan – is peacefully flowing through the forest one minute and then without warning is suddenly hurtled 46m vertically down a rock face. Possibly the most impressive falls I have ever seen!
Walk 183 – Fairy Glen Falls, The Black Isle, Scottish Highlands – 1.6 miles
A short linear walk through the aptly named Fairy Glen, near Rosemarkie. Follow the Markie Burn to not one, but two pretty waterfalls hidden away in the most tranquil of settings.
Walk 182 – Rogie Falls, Scottish Highlands – 0.9 miles
The colour of the trees…… the quirky uneven footpath meandering through the forest….. the sound of the falls long before being able to see them…. the purpose-built suspension bridge affording uninterrupted views of the gushing torrent that is Rogie Falls….. There was much to love about this walk!
Walk 181 – Corrieshalloch Gorge, Scottish Highlands – 1.25 miles
This short walk leads to THE most spectacular narrow gorge I have ever seen! Doing the route in a clockwise direction as described below leaves the pièce de résistance for the end: a Victorian suspension bridge allowing you to cross directly above the incredible Falls of Measach which plunge 46m into the gorge below. It’s no wonder this area is a NTS National Nature Reserve.
Gillian's Walks 