Dismantled Railway, Darvel

(S/E) Hastings Square, Darvel (KA17 0DR)

From Hastings Square cross Darvel Main Street and turn right (East) to walk along the pavement for 1km.

Turn onto the last road on your left (North East) at the end of the village. This minor road heads uphill past a couple of houses.

(1) Look out for an Irvine Valley Paths Network way marker 150m along on your right-hand side, "Loudoun Hill via the old railway". Go through the gate and follow the old railway path East for approx 3km. The path ends abruptly at the remains of the old viaduct.

(2) Follow the steps downhill to a gate leading onto a road.

Turn right (South) here towards a cottage then left (East) to follow the Irvine Valley Paths Network signage for Loudoun Hill. Continue uphill along this road for 300m to pass Newlands Farm.

(3) 340m beyond Newlands you will reach a gate on your right-hand side. Go through the gate and follow the farm tracks South East then East along a tree-lined track, skirting the base of Loudoun Hill. You will pass a stone ruin on your right and the steep rocky slope of Loudoun Hill will be on your left.

(4) Just beyond the ruin you will reach a fork in the path - turn right through a gate to head downhill to a wooden footbridge across the infant River Irvine.

(5) Cross the bridge and follow the path up to a stile.

(6) From here the Spirit of Scotland monument is clearly visible just ahead. After crossing the stile follow an obvious path up to the monument.

Retrace your steps to return to Hastings Square, Darvel (S/E)

Transport

• By car: There are a few parking spaces at Hastings Square in Darvel and also some on-street parking. Alternatively you could choose to park in the public car park on Randoldcoup Road (first right after Hastings Square) which is just a short walk from the start. There is also a small car park just uphill from the Spirit of Scotland Monument (Signposted off A71 as "Loudoun Hill Parking"), so you could arrange for transport to meet you there if you don't want to walk back to Darvel.
• By bus: There is a frequent bus service through the Irvine Valley from Kilmarnock which stops in Darvel at Hastings Square. No return bus service from Spirit of Scotland monument.

Accessibility / Terrain

• The first 1km of the walk through Darvel to the start of the old railway path (1) is a mix of pavements and a minor road. The minor road section is short but a fairly steep incline.
• Railway path is fine gravel with one section approx halfway along normally muddy due to livestock
• Lots of self-closing gates along the route, and 1 stile.

Livestock

• After the third gate (approx 800m along) and until you reach the sixth gate (approx 1.3km along) you can often find cows sharing the path in places, including bulls (and sometimes calves).
• There are often sheep (and sometimes lambs) on the first section of the farm track north of Newlands (3)

For more information, a route guide onto Loudoun Hill and a walk review, visit Gillian's Walks

• Darvel war memorial - located in Hastings Square at the start of the walk
• Loudoun Hill - the highest point in the area at 361m. It is a volcanic plug and it's craggy south face is often used by rock climbers.
• Battle of Loudoun Hill - It is reputed that in 1307 Robert the Bruce led an army against the English in a battle which took place beneath Loudoun Hill. This was Bruce's his first major military victory.
• Spirit of Scotland monument - a 5m tall person-shaped sculpture at the foot of Loudoun Hill which bears words referring to William Wallace
• Dismantled railway line - part of the Darvel and Strathaven Railway, opened in 1905 intended as a through route between Lanarkshire and Ayrshire however was never successful due to the population in the area being very low. The track was closed in 1939.
• Valley Walkfest is a walking festival in the Irvine Valley which takes place annually at the start of May