Back in 2016 I set myself a challenge to walk 100 different routes before the end of the year. And I did! I documented them all here and that content became routes 1 to 100 on www.gillianswalks.com. Here’s where I got to….
Starting at the ferry slip on the Isle of Cumbrae, you will head uphill to the Glaid Stone, the island’s highest point, before descending into Millport. Return via the quiet Ferry Road. You will pass several small lochs, a mineral well and the Cathedral of the Isles (Britain’s smallest cathedral). Not forgetting the famous Crocodile Rock. … More Walk 100 -Millport Inner Circuit, Isle of Cumbrae – 7 miles
A lovely short walk around Kilmarnock’s 30 acre Kay Park. Highlights include the Burns Monument, stone lions, children’s play park, duck pond and cycle track. So although it is less than a mile in length, you can easily pass a couple of hours here! … More Walk 99 – Kay Park, Kilmarnock – 0.6 miles
An easy 7 mile circuit around Whitelee Windfarm’s Lochgoin Reservoir. The route is way-marked meaning that navigation is simple and underfoot is a mixture of loose stones and grass. Look out for Dunwan Dam and take a detour to Blackwood Hill Viewpoint, from which on a clear day you will be able to see as far as the Isle of Arran and Ben Lomond. … More Walk 98 – Lochgoin Circuit, Whitelee Windfarm – 7 miles
Ben Venue, meaning “the small mountain” certainly packs a punch for being a Graham! At 729m / 2391ft, it is the rockiest hill in the Trossachs and is a very familiar sight across Loch Venachar, Loch Achray or Loch Katrine. Consisting of 2 summits, on a clear day you will be rewarded with stunning views across the highlands. A fairly long walk in means allowing approximately 6 hours to complete this route. … More Walk 97 – Ben Venue from Loch Achray – 8.4 miles
Take a short walk around this peaceful forest between Kincardine and Dunfermline. Devilla covers a massive 700 hectare area and is home to the red squirrel thanks to the plating of Scots pine trees back in the 1950s, which create the perfect habitat for them. While you are there look out for The Standard Stone, an ancient relic linked to MacBeth, and also take a detour to see the remains of Bordie Castle. On a warm day take a picnic to enjoy at the lochside. … More Walk 96 – Red Squirrel Trail, Devilla Forest, Fife – 1.7 miles
Blackcraig Hill, close to New Cumnock, is the highest peak in the area (700 m / 2296 ft) and on a clear day you will be rewarded with simply stunning views from the top. With no obvious footpath to follow, some navigation skills are required, particularly in poor visibility. The route described below is a straightforward gentle ascent on mostly grassy ground with a few craggy sections to look out for. … More Walk 95 – Blackcraig Hill, East Ayrshire – 3.6 miles
Starting with a walk along Irvine’s sandy beach all the way to Barassie, you will then return by following the National Cycle Network track. Experience the industrial side of Irvine, as well as some scenic woodland areas, a wildlife reserve and the town’s popular white sandy beach. Enjoy the breathtaking views out across the Firth of Clyde at both the start and end of the walk! … More Walk 94 – Irvine Beach & Shewalton Woods – 9.3 miles
A pleasant woodland walk taking in some of the highlights of Eglinton Country Park before looping around Eglinton Loch and returning to the start via a track along the outer perimeter of the park. … More Walk 93 – Eglinton Countryside Walk – 2.7 miles
An absolutely brilliant day out for the whole family! Although the walk itself is short at just over a mile and a half, there is so much to see and do at Dumfries House that you can easily spend several hours. Take a picnic or take advantage of the onsite cafe. Highlights include the Engineering Centre, large kids play area, arboretum, walled garden and the stunning Dumfries House itself. Look out for all the quirky features around the Estate that make it truly unique! … More Walk 92 – Dumfries House Estate, Cumnock – 1.6 miles
A pleasant circular walk beginning in the woodland area along the River Irvine between Crookedholm and Milton Road, Kilmarnock. The route then continues along quiet country roads, passing the former Crookedholm Primary School building, with the final section taking you through the village of Crookedholm itself to return to the starting point. … More Walk 91 – River Irvine Walk, Crookedholm – 2 miles
Best experienced after a period of sustained rainfall, this section of the River Clyde is pretty spectacular. Starting in the historical village of New Lanark, the track forms the last section of the Clyde Walkway and is basically a woodland walk with viewpoints to the waterfalls along the river. The Falls of Clyde are formed of Bonnington Linn, Corra Linn, Dundaff Linn, and Stonebyres Linn. … More Walk 90 – The Falls of Clyde, New Lanark – 3.7 miles
The hike up to the top of the Merrick (843 m / 2765 ft) is a wonderful day out on varied and interesting terrain with lovely views for almost the entire way. It is a fairly long walk in, starting alongside a burn with lovely waterfalls, past Culsharg bothy, through a short section of forest and then onto the open hillside on grassy footpaths. From here it is a pretty gentle ascent to the summit of Bennyellary (719 m / 2358 ft) followed by a fabulous wide ridge walk to the summit of the Merrick. … More Walk 89 – The Merrick, Dumfries & Galloway – 8.4 miles
The Munros Ben More (1174 m / 3851 ft) and Stob Binnein (1165 m / 3822 ft) lie close to Crianlarich and are easily accessible from A85. Steep and boggy for much of the way but no real technical skills required. A little scrambling on the (long) descent from Ben More towards Stob Binnein and a very peaceful but steep and slippery walk back down from the bealach into Ben More Glen. Keep a look out for the waterfalls visible behind you as you descend! … More Walk 88 – Ben More & Stob Binnein – 7 miles
Ben Lomond (974 m / 3196 ft) is one of the most popular mountains in Scotland thanks to it’s proximity to Glasgow and it’s title of ‘Scotland’s most southerly Munro’. The route below is the most popular one, starting from Rowardennan which is the furthest point along Loch Lomond’s eastern shore you can reach by car. From here it is just over 3 miles to the summit along a well-maintained footpath. On a clear day you will be rewarded with fine views of Loch Lomond and across the Scottish Highlands. … More Walk 87 – Ben Lomond – 7.6 miles
Starting at Dundonald Castle, follow this ancient route used in the 18th century to transport tea, wine, brandy, rum and tobacco inland from the cargo boats arriving in Troon! It covers an extremely varied terrain with everything from woodland paths to tarmac roads to long grass and then sand thrown in the mix! You will pass a quiet reservoir, walk through Fullarton Woods then across Royal Troon Golf Course, finishing it off with a stroll along Troon’s sandy Beach. The views across to Isle of Arran are not to be missed so be sure to keep this one for a clear day! … More Walk 86 – Ayrshire Smugglers Trail: Dundonald to Troon – 6.3 miles
Gillian's Walks 