Bob Law: Heads of Ayr to Dunure Coastal Walk

Home » Bob Law: photographer, walker and writer » Bob Law: Heads of Ayr to Dunure Coastal Walk

Bob Law: Heads of Ayr to Dunure Coastal Walk

A Spectacular Adventure.

Having walked many Scottish coastlines over the last 40 years one I return to, time and time again, is the Heads of Ayr Walk to Dunure.

First sight of Dunure

You can park car at Longhill Point car park, just west of the River Doon, on the coast near Alloway ( which is a place also worth a separate trip) or get bus or train to Ayr.

The walk itself is low tide only as the route runs across sandy beaches then rocky headlands, these completely impassable at high tide. Look up online BBC Weather. Tide Tables. Ayr for daily tide times a week ahead.

Wide beaches Heads of Ayr Walk

Better to arrive at the car park around two hours before maximum low tide than start at full low tide, giving yourself time to complete the walk safely. The path at first crosses a pleasant sandy bay with the ruins of Greenan Castle looming ahead then contours under the Heads of Ayr, A dramatic landscape where the Carrick Hills plunge steeply into the sea at Bower Hill. Past Bracken Bay the route climbs inland through fields then down towards the coast again to reach Dunure.

Lambs and Yellow Gorse Ayrshire Coastal Path

From Dunure a local bus service 361 Dunure to Ayr, one an hour, (Check online) takes you back to Ayr. Or you can walk back inland on a disused railway line some of the way.

Ailsa Craig from Dunure

I’ve walked this route over 20 times, some solo, some with friends, and it’s always a thrill. In spring, Late April, May, June, it is especially beautiful with flowering yellow gorse, young lambs, bright green pastures and blue skies giving it an Eden like appearance.

Keep dogs on a strong lead though crossing the sheep and lamb pastures. Allow between three to six hours depending on speed and where you start from, Car, bus or train. A fantastic coastal walk.

Bob Law: eBook Guide to Walking and Cycling Around the River Clyde

Alex and Bob’s Blue Sky Scotland