Dismantled Railway Walk, Darvel
A linear walk from the village of Darvel along a fantastic disused railway track to the Spirit of Scotland Monument beneath Loudoun Hill.
Technical sheet No. 21775950
Calculated time: 3h35[?] 
Distance : 11.13 km
Vertical gain : 151 m
Vertical drop : 147 m
Highest point : 232 m
Lowest point : 103 m 
Difficulty : Easy
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Location : East Ayrshire
Starting point : N 55.609493° / W 4.282557° 
Today's forecast :
Description
(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. 103 m - Hastings Square
1 : km 1.09 - alt. 122 m - Gate and way marker "Loudoun Hill via old railway"
2 : km 3.88 - alt. 163 m - Wall at viaduct
3 : km 4.53 - alt. 220 m - Gate
4 : km 5.28 - alt. 227 m - Flat ground to the right
5 : km 5.49 - alt. 202 m - Bridge
6 : km 5.56 - alt. 207 m - Spirit of Scotland Monument
D/A : km 11.13 - alt. 103 m - Hastings Square
Useful Information
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.
- The old railway path between Darvel and the viaduct (2) was upgraded in Winter 2021/22. For the first approx 1.3km of it the surface is gravel and level. There are 4 metal gates to pass through within that distance and on reaching gate number 5 (at the 1.3km mark), you are required to cross a rough, boggy farm track to reach gate number 6 and the continuation of the gravel track. The gravel ends again 500m further along where there is a dog-friendly stile. Beyond that the surface is a mixture of grass and gravel with a further 2 stiles and 4 metal gates. Two of these stiles are dog-friendly and one is a ladder stile which might not be suitable for some dogs.
- From the viaduct (2) to the Spirit of Scotland monument (A) the path is a mixture of farm tracks (uneven, sometimes muddy), grass and earth. Some short steep slopes both up and downhill. One set of steps, a small wall to climb, several gates and a 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
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
During the walk or to do/see around
- 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
Other walks in the area
3.10 km
+71 m
-76 m
1h05
Difficult
Starting point in East Ayrshire At just 361m elevation, the volcanic plug of Loudoun Hill near Darvel, is where Robert the Bruce had his first major military victory. Despite being small, it’s steep slopes certainly pack a punch and on a clear day the views from the top make it a must-do in the area. A favourite with children and adults alike!
15.48 km
+154 m
-305 m
4h50
Moderate
Starting point in South Lanarkshire This walk begins at the tranquil and picturesque Glengavel Reservoir, and goes via Bankend Rig Windfarm to end near Randoldcoup Bridge in Darvel. It is a challenging walk mainly due to the distance covered but as the landscape is so varied there is lots to keep you entertained.
4.66 km
+36 m
-31 m
1h25
Easy
Starting point in South Lanarkshire A pleasant walk around one of the quieter areas of forestry within the UK’s largest onshore windfarm. Starting at the parking area just off Ardochrig Road (near Strathaven), you soon find yourself on a mossy track through the trees. In this area it is possible to spot jay, bullfinch, merlin, peregrine, roe deer, and occasionally goldeneye ducks on the ponds.
12.67 km
+62 m
-63 m
3h50
Easy
Starting point in East Renfrewshire An easy 7 mile circuit around Whitelee Windfarm’s Lochgoin Reservoir. The route is way-marked meaning that navigation is simple and underfoot is a mixture of loose stones and grass. Look out for Dunwan Dam and take a detour to Blackwood Hill Viewpoint, from which on a clear day you will be able to see as far as the Isle of Arran and Ben Lomond.
7.59 km
+91 m
-91 m
2h25
Easy
Starting point in East Ayrshire Follow the River Ayr along a pleasant woodland trail to Sorn, passing through Catrine Voes Local Nature Reserve and alongside the historic Catrine Weir. On reaching Sorn, cross the humpbacked ‘Auld Brig’ before passing through part of the village and into the “Spooky Woods”. The return route to Catrine is via Chapel Brae, a pleasant single track road which passes Catrine War Memorial.
5.56 km
+9 m
-9 m
1h35
Easy
Starting point in East Ayrshire Starting in Catrine, follow the course of the River Ayr through woodland to the impressive Ballochmyle Viaduct. It is the highest masonry railway viaduct in Britain and even featured in a scene in the movie Mission: Impossible!
6.98 km
+34 m
-34 m
2h05
Easy
Starting point in East Ayrshire A walk for the more adventurous! Quiet country roads quickly lead into the woodland of Craufurdland Estate. You will pass the fishing loch and the Laird’s Table cafe/restaurant, as well as cross a ford (using the footbridge!) The return leg of the walk is via a public right of way across farmland.
7.99 km
+36 m
-33 m
2h25
Easy
Starting point in East Ayrshire An ideal walk for the longer Spring and Summer evenings. After passing through the Craufurdland Estate, you will spend the majority of the walk out in the open countryside, from where you can admire the views on a clear day.
For more walks, use our search engine.
The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
