(S/E) Start outside the Tam o’ Shanter Inn, Ayr High Street. Facing the Inn, turn right (South) to the end of High Street. Here there is a fork. Cross over onto Alloway Street which means taking the right fork (South West).
(1) After 240m you will pass Burns Monument on your left.
Continue South on Beresford Terrace for 240m to a fork. Keep right onto Midton Road, with Ayr Grammar School on your left.
At the next fork keep right to remain on Midton Road. You'll pass St Columba Church on your left.
(2) At the end of the road you will emerge onto Racecourse View. Cross the road to an opening in the wall leading onto Belleisle Park / the Old Racecourse.
Turn left to follow a gravel path East then South West to skirt around the edge of the park. The path turns to grass/earth and after 540m there is a gap in the wall to the left heading into the trees. Go through the gap and turn right, walking along this woodland footpath for 440m (ignore any paths off to the right or left). At the end of the path turn right (West) onto a wider track for a short distance until you reach a small cottage.
(3) Turn left (South) at the cottage to pick up another woodland path which winds its way through the trees parallel to A710 Doonfoot Road.
After 300m at a fork turn right (South West) to reach Slaphouse Burn. Cross the burn via the small footbridge then go up the steps. You will emerge onto a surfaced road. Cross over and pick up the continuation of the path ahead (signposted "Stables, Clubhouse, Belleisle House, Conservatory, Walled Garden & Play Area"). Continue along this wider track for 350m, ignoring several path junctions to your right.
When you reach a crossroads turn right (South West) onto a minor road. After 150m you will emerge onto Greenfield Avenue.
(4) Turn left (South East) and walk along the pavement for 380m until you get to a gravel road next to a cottage on your right. Cross Greenfield Avenue and follow this gravel road into Cambusdoon Estate.
You will reach a fork in the path. Keep left (South East). The path takes you past the remains of Cambusdoon House and emerges onto Shanter Way, a residential street.
(5) At the end of the street turn right (South) onto B7024, passing Alloway Auld Kirk on your right-hand side.
Cross B7024 at a safe place and take the road (South East) just before Brig o' Doon Hotel. Walk down the pavement along a minor road behind the hotel and after 130m turn right (South) to reach the Brig o' Doon.
(6) After admiring the views from the Brig o' Doon, retrace your steps back to the minor road.
(7) Turn left (North West) and then almost immediately right (North East) to go through a gate and up some steps to reach Burns Monument and Gardens.
(8) Explore Burns Monument and Gardens and exit via the north eastern corner (behind Alloway Church Hall).
(9) Turn right and then left to reach Robert Burns Birthplace Museum.
From the museum entrance head North West to reach a pedestrian crossing over Murdoch's Lone. Cross over and continue ahead across a footbridge over a cycle path. Keep left at a fork to reach the start of the Poet's Path.
(10) Turn right onto the mono-blocked Poet's Path and enjoy the Burns sculptures as you go. After 320m you will emerge onto B7024.
(11) Turn right (North East) and walk along the pavement, passing Burns Cottage on your left.
At the end of the row on houses, turn right (South East) onto a lane which leads to Burness Avenue. After only 120m turn left (North East) onto a footpath leading into the trees. You are now entering Rozelle Park. Turn left (North West) and follow the path through the trees, keeping left at any path junctions. After 480m you will arrive at a the main entrance road to the Park.
Turn left (West) and follow the road out of the Park and onto Monument Road/B7024). Turn right (North) and after 70m cross over Monument Road to pick up a gravel path on your left which takes you West across Belleisle Golf Course.
At the end of this path, opposite the remains of the Belleisle Hotel, turn right (North East) to pass the cafe and Clubhouse. Just before you reach the car park turn left (North). Keep right at a fork to continue North across Belleisle Golf Course.
After crossing Slaphouse Burn keep left at two forks, emerging onto Doonfoot Rd / A719 after 320m. Cross the road then turn right (North) and walk along the pavement for 200m, before turning left (West) into Carwinshoch View.
(12) At the end of the street continue across Seafield Drive to reach Ayr Esplanade.
Turn right (North) along the Esplanade for 1.7km and at after passing Ayr Beach Park on Low Greet turn right (East) onto Pavillion Road. Pavillion Road becomes Wellington Square. At the end of the street cross at the traffic lights onto Barns Street, heading towards the Mercure Hotel.
At the mini roundabout in front of the Mercure turn left (North East) and walk along Carrick Street. At the end of the street turn right (South East) onto Ayr High Street. 130m along you will arrive back at the Tam o' Shanter Inn (S/E)