Section C southwards

Fairlie to Seamill


Waypoints: WP11 Fairlie Church, WP10 at Southannan, WP9 Hunterston, WP8 West Kilbride, WP7 Seamill (Hydro)
Distance: X m, Y km; Time: Z hrs;
Terrain: tbd
Public transport: tbd
Toilets: tbd
Cafes: tbd
Download pdf of this section - in preparation
>> next section (B southwards)

Fairlie Parish Church photo I J Dickson

Waypoint 11 Fairlie Church
What3Words ///upstairs.resorting.input
Built as a chapel of ease of 1834, it gained its present strong traditional form in 1883 with the addition of the chancel, transepts and tower by J J Stevenson. The weather vane is a model of the 1920s Fife racing yacht ‘Latifa’ (the yachts were designed and built in Fairlie). The 9th/10th-century Fairlie Stone is displayed within the church. The excellent stained glass was made by Morris & Co and Heaton, Butler & Bayne.

(to be prepared)

No. 72 takes you

Southannan photo I J Dickson

Waypoint 10 at Southannan 
What3Words ///translate.specifies.footpath
At Southannan is "the ruin of an old Abbey - what was once an extensive structure, having had a high enclosing wall, with a courtyard and an arched entrance porch to the west, defended with shot-holes" (Historic Environment Scotland). The road is a private road, but those with time and interest can walk in past today's houses to see the old gateway - pictures here - and, as they stand at it, picture the Pringle family reflecting on the "sweet sequestered retreat". The abbey ruins would at that time be visible from the road. If the weather has been wet, you can take a short walk (<2m.; described by 'Gillian') to a waterfall on Southannan Burn.

quotation In 'The Ayrshire Legatees', Miss Rachel Pringle writes to her friend Miss Isabella Todd:
"On the other side of the road we saw the cloistered ruins of the religious house of Southannan, a nunnery in those days of romantic adventure when to live was to enjoy a poetical element. In such a sweet, sequestered retreat, how much more pleasing to the soul would it have been for you and I, like two captive birds in one cage, to have sung away our hours in innocence than for me to be thus torn from you by fate, - and all on account of that mercenary legacy, perchance the spoils of some unfortunate Hindoo Rajah!" (Chapter 1, Letter 2)

map photo I J Dickson

Waypoint 9 Hunterston ('Largs Ave')
What3Words ///spreading.moved.reveal

At this point, you will leave the Ayr Coastal Path - it follows the coast via Portencross Castle - you will return to it when you reach Waypoint 7.

(details to be added . . . )
On reaching the main road, follow the footpath a short distance south.
Cross with care at the country road which leads uphill to West Kilbride.
Reaching the roundabout, go across onto St Bride's Road (aka Hunterston Road?), continuing down to Main Street.  (further details to be added)

No. 72 takes you

map

Waypoint 8 West Kilbride (Glen Road)
What3Words ///fights.singer.motoring 
A map to keep you right:
The green spot marks Law Castle, the castle described in Galt's novel.
West Kilbride is a Craft Town . . . (to be expanded)


quotation In 'The Ayrshire Legatees', Miss Rachel Pringle writes to her friend Miss Isabella Todd:
"When we had ascended a hill, leaving Kilbride on the left, we passed under the walls of an ancient tower. What delightful ideas are associated with the sight of such venerable remains of antiquity!
Leaving that lofty relic of our warlike ancestors, we descended again towards the shore. On the one side lay the Cumbrae Islands, and Bute, dear to departed royalty. Afar beyond them, in the magnificence of nature, rise the mountains of Argyleshire, - the cairns, as my brother says, of a former world." (Chapter 1, Letter 2)

'Departed royalty': John Stewart (1360–1449), a natural son of Robert II of Scotland, was granted the lands of Bute, Arran and Cumbrae by his father. He was known as the 'Black Stewart' because of his dark complexion. The grant of lands was confirmed in 1400 by a charter of Robert III.

From Main Street, turn south onto the short Glen Road (public toilets on the left, then the Fable Cafe.
Enter the glen and follow the attractive path down to opposite Seamill Hydro, where you take care crossing the road.

No. 72 takes you

Seamill photo I J Dickson

Waypoint 7 Seamill (Hydro entrance) 
What3Words ///affair.middle.musically
Seamill Hydro opened in 1871 as a hydropathic spa, but today offers a wide range of health and refreshment opportunities.

Section B Sections map
John Galt Way

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