Troon to Irvine

This section of the Ayrshire Coastal Path is basically a long stretch of golden beach sandwiched between two busy coastal towns. Enjoy having a nosey at the shorefront houses in Barassie as you pass, and look out for the stone dragon atop the sand dunes of Irvine Beach! On a clear day the Isle of Arran can be seen across the Firth of Clyde.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Ayrshire Coastal Path

Technical sheet

22575657
A South Ayrshire walk posted on 01/06/22 by Gillian's Walks. Last update : 04/06/22
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.95 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 3h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: No
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 5 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 5 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 8 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 0 m
  • ⚐
    District: South Ayrshire 
  • ⚑
    Start: N 55.544313° / W 4.677097°
  • ⚑
    End: N 55.616804° / W 4.673736°

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Irvine Beach

Description

(S/E) From Troon Yacht Marina walk out the main exit on to Harbour Road. Turn left (East) and walk along Harbour Road to a roundabout.

(1) Continue straight on at the roundabout then almost immediately look out for a grassy footpath on your left which takes you away from the main road for a short distance.

(2) Emerging onto North Shore Road next to a car park, turn left (North East) and walk along the pavement for a short distance before merging onto the cycle path running parallel to the B746/North Shore Road.

(3) Follow the cycle path for 1.4km into Barassie. Where the cycle path takes a right turn towards the train station, keep walking ahead (North) along the grass.

(4) Beyond the last houses cross a footbridge over a burn and then head down onto the sandy beach.

The next 4.5km is an easy walk along Irvine Beach.

(5) When you reach the car park at the north end of the beach, turn right (North East) along a sandy ramp which leads past the Coastguard building and out to the roundabout on Beach Drive.

(6) From the roundabout head North onto the promenade - there should be a large car park on your right-hand side and the River Irvine should be on your left.

Turn right (North East) and walk along the promenade and onto Harbour Street.

(7) At the Scottish Maritime Museum, Harbour Street becomes Montgomery Street.

At the end of Montgomery Street turn left (North) to walk along the pavement on Cochrane Street, a row of houses on your left-hand side.

(8) Go around Victoria roundabout in a clockwise direction, coming off at Church Street and following the pavement beneath the railway bridge.

You will arrive outside Fullarton Parish Church where you should follow the pavement left (North West) parallel to the slip road off Marress Roundabout.

(9) After 300m this lane ends and you should turn right (East) to go through an underpass, then continuing ahead onto Waterside Road.

(E). Cross Waterside Road to a footbridge over the River Irvine - crossing the bridge takes you to Low Green, Irvine where this walk ends.

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 5 m - Troon Yacht Marina
  2. 1 : km 0.57 - alt. 6 m - Grassy footpath
  3. 2 : km 1.48 - alt. 3 m - Cycle path
  4. 3 : km 2.89 - alt. 2 m - Cycle path turns right towards train station
  5. 4 : km 3.87 - alt. 2 m - Footbridge
  6. 5 : km 8.47 - alt. 2 m - Sandy ramp to Coastguard building
  7. 6 : km 8.67 - alt. 2 m - Promenade
  8. 7 : km 9.74 - alt. 4 m - Scottish Maritime Museum
  9. 8 : km 10.33 - alt. 6 m - Railway bridge
  10. 9 : km 10.75 - alt. 5 m - Underpass
  11. E : km 10.95 - alt. 5 m - Low Green, Irvine

Useful Information

For more information and a route review visit Gillian's Walks

Transport

  • Car park at Troon Yacht Marina and Low Green, Irvine
  • Bus service between Troon and Irvine
  • Train service between Troon and Irvine

Amenities

  • Public toilets on Troon promenade, along the cycle path at Barassie and Irvine Coastguard station (all chargeable)
  • Cafes, shops and restaurants in Troon and Irvine. Fish & chip shop in Barassie.

Terrain
Roadside pavement, cycle path, grassy footpath, sandy beach, promenade.

You can purchase the official Ayrshire Coastal Path guidebook from their website.

Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

During the walk or to do/see around

  • Ballast Bank, Troon
  • Troon Beach
  • Troon Yacht Marina
  • Kids play area on Troon promenade and at Low Green, Irvine
  • The Wee Hurrie fish and chip shop, Troon Harbour
  • Irvine's stone dragon
  • Irvine Beach Park - pond, outdoor gym, crazy golf (bring your own equipment)
  • Irvine Harbour
  • Scottish Maritime Museum
  • Views to the Isle of Arran
  • Sea and shore birds
  • Fragile sand dune ecology

Reviews and comments

5 / 5
Based on 1 review

Clarity of route description
5 / 5
Clarity of route map
5 / 5
Walk interest
5 / 5
roseanneboyle
roseanneboyle

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : 17/06/23
Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Excellent walk. Got a wee bit soaked but can't help the weather and it was still a very pleasant walk.

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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.

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