A linear walk from the village of Darvel along a fantastic disused railway track to the Spirit of Scotland Monument beneath Loudoun Hill.
(D/A) 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 stone wall which has a large boulder placed at the foot of it acting like a stile. Climb over onto a minor 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) After 720m you will have come round the foot of Loudoun Hill beyond the steep rocky slope. Where the ground to your right flattens out, veer right (South) off the track to cross the grass.
(5) You will meet up with a faint path (not shown on map) which zig zags down to a wooden footbridge across the infant River Irvine. 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 (D/A)
Waypoints :
D/A : km 0 - alt. 103m - Hastings Square
1 : km 1.09 - alt. 122m - Gate and way marker "Loudoun Hill via old railway"
2 : km 3.88 - alt. 163m - Wall at viaduct
3 : km 4.53 - alt. 220m - Gate
4 : km 5.28 - alt. 227m - Flat ground to the right
5 : km 5.49 - alt. 202m - Bridge
6 : km 5.56 - alt. 207m - Spirit of Scotland Monument
D/A : km 11.13 - alt. 103m - Hastings Square
Transport
Accessibility / Terrain
Livestock
For more information, a route guide onto Loudoun Hill and a walk review, visit Gillian's Walks
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.