The River Ayr Way is Scotland's first source to sea path network which passes through some of Ayrshire's most fantastic scenery making it a unique experience for walkers.
This development was part of the 2006 £2.5m Coalfield Access Project and it was supported by 13 different funders, making it one of East Ayrshire Council's largest externally funded projects.
Ayrshire’s mining past was the key to this project as it allowed access to funding programmes aimed at the regeneration of former coalfields.
The route begins at Glenbuck, home of Bill Shankley and follows the river for 66km (44miles) to the sea at Ayr.
Over 140,000 use the River Ayr Way each year from all across the globe. There are a number of events along the River Ayr Way throughout the year but the River Ayr Way challenge is far the most challenging event.
Feedback from previous visitors include:
"Congratulations on the initiative and the outcome of the River Ayr Way. The parts that we walked were excellent, beautiful and with variety."
"It has diverse plant and wildlife - ever changing throughout the seasons. As one progresses downstream, the ever changing topography, geology and agricultural scenery is full of interest and there are many industrial / historical references."
An information pack on the River Ayr Way is available. Packs can be obtained from the The Visitor Centre, Dean Castle Country Park, Kilmarnock, through East Ayrshire's libraries or from Ayr Tourist Information Centre.
Muirkirk audio tour
The River Ayr Way route passes through many local communities along the way, each of which have their own path network with interpretation including Scotland’s first village audio tour in Muirkirk which was opened by Tony Robinson.
Muirkirk has a rich mine of history from religious rebellion to industrial revolution, from mining monks to Britain’s last pit ponies, from innovators to dissenters, from Burns-style poets to famous footballers.
In its heyday, Muirkirk was a bustling industrial village. The idea behind the tour is to try and bring the village’s rich and varied history back to life in a dramatic and interesting way for visitors and many local residents, including local primary children, feature in the audio tour
The Muirkirk audio tour is available all year round.
Contact: La-Orilla B&B, 29 Garronhill, Muirkirk KA18 3RY
Tel: 01290 661335