walk 28 - maybole and mochrum hill
Maybole and the surrounding countryside is a fairly peaceful, forgotten part of Ayrshire (although Culzean Castle is not far away). This walk will suit people who are seeking a moderately challenging country trail not too far from civilisation, but which is not overrun by tourists.
Maybole can be accessed fairly easily by train from the Glasgow region, although trains are infrequent. From the railway station, cross over Culzean Road, and follow Ladyland Road (which starts on the other side of Culzean Road). Ladyland Road passes and buckles its way around a few roads on its left, until it meets the A77 (Kirkoswald Road). Follow the pavement alongside the A77 into the countryside. The modern A77 is flanked by segments of the old road, and the walker should follow these fragments of old road whenever convenient.
This walk passes two distinct historical buildings. The first is Baltersan Castle (photos 1, 2), which is derelict and closed to the public, but which sits magnificently on a small mound overlooking the A77. About half a mile further along the A77 is Crossraguel Abbey, which is more impressive, and which is open to the public (photo 3). Both buildings are situated in rolling pastoral farmland that has probably changed little in centuries (photo 4).
From here the walker has a choice: carry on along the A77, and take the farm track up towards Mochrum Farm; or, return a mile back along the A77, and cross over onto the farmtrack leading to Cultezeoun Farm. The latter route is detailed on this web page. The Cultezeoun farm track is a sharply meandering track that passes through both arable and pastoral farmland (photos 5, 6). Towards the farm, the track passes through a small gorge (photo 7). Beyond the farmhouse, the track becomes more grassy (photo 8), and shorts just one field short of the Mochrum farm track leading towards Mochrum Wood. If the weather is fine and if there are no bulls, carefully walk along the edge of the field towards the next farm track. Follow the track up to the start of the trails in Mochrum Wood.
Follow the trail, and then take a sharp turn to the left, and follow the trail going uphill and further into the woodland. This soon emerges out of the thicket into some open space (photo 9), from where the walker is rewarded with views towards the southeast of Arran (photo 10).
This walk passes two distinct historical buildings. The first is Baltersan Castle (photos 1, 2), which is derelict and closed to the public, but which sits magnificently on a small mound overlooking the A77. About half a mile further along the A77 is Crossraguel Abbey, which is more impressive, and which is open to the public (photo 3). Both buildings are situated in rolling pastoral farmland that has probably changed little in centuries (photo 4).
From here the walker has a choice: carry on along the A77, and take the farm track up towards Mochrum Farm; or, return a mile back along the A77, and cross over onto the farmtrack leading to Cultezeoun Farm. The latter route is detailed on this web page. The Cultezeoun farm track is a sharply meandering track that passes through both arable and pastoral farmland (photos 5, 6). Towards the farm, the track passes through a small gorge (photo 7). Beyond the farmhouse, the track becomes more grassy (photo 8), and shorts just one field short of the Mochrum farm track leading towards Mochrum Wood. If the weather is fine and if there are no bulls, carefully walk along the edge of the field towards the next farm track. Follow the track up to the start of the trails in Mochrum Wood.
Follow the trail, and then take a sharp turn to the left, and follow the trail going uphill and further into the woodland. This soon emerges out of the thicket into some open space (photo 9), from where the walker is rewarded with views towards the southeast of Arran (photo 10).
All text, maps and imagery are copyright of Dr Malcolm Sutherland (2013 - 14).
DISCLAIMER: visitors to this website must take all necessary precautions when travelling to the sites listed in this website and when walking. People viewing this website are entirely responsible for their own transportation, health and safety if they travel to relevant locations and attempt any of the walks listed on this website.
DISCLAIMER: visitors to this website must take all necessary precautions when travelling to the sites listed in this website and when walking. People viewing this website are entirely responsible for their own transportation, health and safety if they travel to relevant locations and attempt any of the walks listed on this website.