by charlie | Nov 22, 2022
November 2022: We have been made aware that the bridge leading onto Stevenston Beach has suffered damage caused by the recent high tides and is unsafe to use. Walkers heading north towards Saltcoats will see that the bridge is cordoned off and should cross the smaller bridge at the end of the car park to use the cycle track behind the sand dunes to reach Saltcoats. Walkers heading south from Saltcoats should walk along the cycle path behind the sand dunes to reach Stevenston, rather than going down the ramp onto the beach. The information we have received from NAC is that the bridge is likely to be closed for many months whilst funding is sourced to have it repaired. In the meantime signage will be put in place to inform walkers of the closure and alternative...
by Ron Ireland | Nov 20, 2022
Not that Jimmy hasn’t been busy with other things; for the past few months he has been revising text and illustrations for a new edition of the official Guide Book as it is EIGHT years since the Second Edition was printed and over that period – especially in the past few years – there have been many significant changes and improvements to the path and its routes, which the second edition does not cover. With at least 450 major changes and tweaks to the text, together with the inclusion of many new photographs, descriptions of three new routes, and details of several potential route improvements over the next few years, the final revised proofs are now back with our printer, Kestrel Press of Irvine, who we thank for their great patience and professionalism. The Ideal Christmas Present that everyone has been looking for! With over 7500 copies of previous editions already sold, this newly refreshed and very readable Best Seller should be in print and available on our website, in Waterstones, and in numerous small local outlets by the end of November in plenty of time for Christmas. It’s not just a Guide Book, it is a fascinating voyage through Ayrshire’s unparalleled wealth of beautiful scenery, and social and natural history. If you feel your precious fifteen-year-old First Edition is a bit tired, ask for a new one for Christmas! If you don’t already have a copy now’s the time to buy one. The Price remains the same. Conscious of present inflation and the parlous financial state of the nation – and world – we are keeping the 2014...
by Ron Ireland | Nov 11, 2022
Lendalfoot Low Tide Beach Route. Since the beginning of August, apart from trying to keep on top of late summer heavy vegetation growth at many sites, Pathminders have been working down at Lendalfoot, erecting signposts to direct walkers onto the shore north of the village, and away from the horrendous traffic on the A77T. Whilst the Guide Book clearly recommends walkers to use the beach, there have been no signs until now to define the access points, so it was great to get these in place. When a supply of new black marker posts and signs arrive in the next couple of weeks, (funded by part of a £1500 grant from Paths for All), with the full support of the local community council, we will be returning to signpost a similar ‘Low Tide’ beach-route south of the village to just north of Bennane Shore Holiday Park. Heading north Irvine. We will follow this up with a visit to Irvine with some new signs and four new black marker posts for the Beach Park and Gailes dunes, replacing some ageing and/or missing signage in that area. Beautiful Gailes dunes ACP ‘Historic Auld Ayr’ route. Similarly, with the aid of a £500 grant from South Ayrshire Council Events, we will shortly be signposting a new route from Loudoun Hall, which will guide walkers up Sandgate, Newmarket St, High St, Kirk Port, Auld Kirk, Blackfriars Walk, and across the Auld Brig o Ayr to River St, to rejoin the present ACP/NCN7 route north of the New Brig. This will be much more interesting experience, for our tourist walkers especially; and with the...
