Hidden Gems of East Ayrshire

Free guided walks for East Ayrshire residents

Gillian’s Walks is collaborating with The Outdoor Partnership Ayrshire to bring residents of East Ayrshire a series of free guided walks across the region. Enjoy the great outdoors, discover new routes, reconnect with nature and invest in your wellbeing.

The walks take place one Tuesday per month between July and December 2026.

They will vary in distance, with some walks around 3-4 miles and others around 7-8 miles. Unless otherwise stated, all walks are graded easy in terms of terrain. We will be walking at a leisurely pace so that we can enjoy the scenery, with plenty of rest stops along the way when I’ll delight you with my “fun facts” about the area. More details for each walk will be provided below.

Places are limited so please register via the link below.

Dogs – for everyone’s comfort and to avoid distractions during the walk, we ask that dogs are not brought along even on a lead.

These walks have been made possible by the Scottish Government’s ‘Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund’ through CVO East Ayrshire Ltd.

Walk Schedule

Details about each of the walks will be released gradually so come back regularly to check for updates! Currently bookable we have the following:

Tuesday 14th July 2026 – New Cumnock

On this walk we will discover a scenic riverside trail and the local nature reserve, stopping at several points of interest relating to Robert Burns and local coal mining heritage.

Starts: 10.30am New Cumnock Train Station

Distance: 8 miles

Finishes: approx 3pm New Cumnock Train Station

Tuesday 18th August 2026 – Newmilns

On this walk we will climb ‘Jacob’s Ladder’ leading to scenic country roads and woodland trails high above Newmilns. Along the way we’ll discover a little about the town’s history, some of which may surprise you!

Starts: 10.30am beside Loudoun Old Parish Church on Main Street, Newmilns. Plenty of parking nearby and on the local bus route.

Distance: 4 miles – the route is quite hilly with one long set of steps (up).

Finishes: approx 1.15 pm returning to the start point

Tuesday 15th September 2026 – Auchinleck

On this walk we’ll discover some of Auchinleck’s lesser-known paths and hidden corners. We’ll follow quiet trails through wildflower-filled woodland and rich forestry, passing reminders of the area’s mining past as well as one of its most significant Covenanter sites. We’ll pass through the quaint village of Sorn from where we’ll enjoy one of the best riverside trails in Ayrshire, with views of a 600 year old castle and a historic weir and voes system which once powered cotton mills. The walk finishes in the town of Catrine. This is a walk rich in local history, nature and fascinating stories – and some places you might never have discovered without a local guide!

Starts: 9am The Boswell Centre, Auchinleck. Parking available. Close to train station and local bus routes.

Finishes: approx 2pm Mill Square, Catrine.

Note that this is a linear route and return transport is not provided. There is a regular public bus service back to Auchinleck from Catrine. Full details will be provided after registration.

The Boswell Centre, Auchinleck will be available both before and after the walk for toilet facilities as well as a fascinating ‘Lost Villages’ Exhibition which I highly recommend, espeically as we’ll be passing close to one of such villages during our walk!

Distance: 7.5 miles, graded easy