Caprington Castle via Earlston, Kilmarnock

(S/E) Leave Caprington Golf Club car park towards the main entrance and turn right (South West) onto B7038/Ayr Road.

(1) Just before reaching Dewaldens Garden Centre look out for a lane on the right leading on to Caprington Golf Course. Go down the lane (North West).

Cross the golf course using the grassy footpath straight ahead, picking up a track between two hedgerows.

(2) Along this track you will pass the remains of Blackskye Tower. Continue ahead (West) for another 200m to reach a fence with a stile leading onto a field.

(3) Cross the stile and follow the row of hedges on your right-hand side across the field, emerging onto a minor road.

Turn right (North West) to walk through the small hamlet of Earlston.

800m along the road you will reach a crossroads. Turn right (East) to walk towards a gated entrance into Caprington Woods.

After going through the gate continue straight ahead (East) along a tree-lined driveway. Caprington Castle will soon come into view.

(4) In front of the castle you will be at another crossroads where you turn right (South East) to cross Todrigs Burn and follow road/track through the trees.

Stay on this road for 1km. There will be a field on your left-hand side and at the end of the field the road bends to the left before arriving at a bridge over the River Irvine.

(5) You are not going to cross the bridge; instead look for a (often very muddy) path heading off to the right (East) alongside the river. Follow this, with the river on your left-hand side.

After 500m the path turns right to run parallel to the A71 along a pleasant pathway, emerging onto the corner of Maxholm Road/Fleming Street another 500m along.

Turn right (South) to walk along Maxholm Road.

(6) At the end of the street cross over Stonyhill Avenue then turn right (West). Almost immediately turn left (South) onto a lane which leads to Scargie Road.

At the end of Scargie Road cross over Cunningham Drive and pick up a lane at the other side which leads to Inchgotrick Road.

Turn right (South West) and walk to the end of Inchgotrick Road.

Turn right (North West) to a lane which leads to Caprington Golf Club car park (S/E)

For more information, a walk review and option for extending the walk, visit Gillian's Walks

Transport
PLEASE AVOID USING THE CAR PARK AT CAPRINGTON GOLF CLUB IF IT IS BUSY. There is plenty of on-street parking available in nearby Caprington residential area, a short walk from the start of the route. It is also easily accessible by public transport with bus stops on the Ayr Road.

Terrain
This route involves some muddy trails and field edge “paths” as well as a stile and two kissing gates. There is also some pavement walking in a residential area. It is overall a fairly level walk. There can sometimes be livestock in the field.

• Dewaldens Garden Centre & Cafe
• Sprockets Cycles
• Caprington Golf Club - private golf club
• Blackskye Tower - a ruin on the golf course which used to be an engine house linked to the coal mining industry
• Earlston - small hamlet just outside Kilmarnock. Todrigs Farm is close by, birthplace of Johnnie Walker. Also has links to the famous Eglinton Hunt with the kennels being located at the farm.
• Caprington Castle & Estate - castle still occupied by the Cunninghame family. Lovely woodland walks on the Estate.
• River Irvine
• The Espresso Kart & Coffee Bar - near by