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Scottish Rotary Club Completes 100 Mile Coastal Path
At the launch of
their Ayrshire Coastal Path, Gordon McInally, Director of Rotary
International, was on hand to congratulate volunteers from the
Rotary Club of Ayr on four years' hard work.
The path, from
Glenapp to Skelmorlie runs 100 miles along one of the finest
panoramic coastlines in the
The project
started in 2003 with Rotarian Dr Jimmy Begg's modest idea of
creating a simple path from Ayr to Dunure and
With the support
of the two local councils, volunteers from the Rotary Club of Ayr
spent the next four years obtaining consent from farmers and
landowners, securing grant aid, digging paths, clearing waste,
installing kissing gates and fords. Over 300 signs were erected to
link existing natural beaches and walkable shore terrain via
field-edge paths, wrack roads, existing farm tracks, promenades and
an old railway track. The entire project was completed in June 2008
for under £70,000. (US$128,000.00)
Rotarian Dr Jimmy
Begg, Project Co-ordinator, said: "We are delighted to have realised
our dream of establishing an Ayrshire Coastal Path. It's been a long
slog but it was worth it. We wanted to provide Ayrshire folk with
healthy exercise and an opportunity to experience and cherish their
own countryside, as well as attracting a great number of walking
visitors to our beautiful and historic county."
Ayrshire boasts an
impressive range of historical sites, including the birthplace of
Robert the Bruce, William Wallace, the Stuart Dynasty, and Robert
Burns, Tam o Shanter's Auld Brig o
A commemorative
interpretation board was unveiled at the launch by Provost Winifred
Sloan from South Ayrshire Council, Deputy Provost Ian Dickson from
North Ayrshire Council, and Gordon McInally, Director of Rotary
International.
The Official
Guide Book of the Ayrshire Coastal Path has been written by Rotarian
Dr Jimmy Begg. All proceeds from sales of the Guide Book are being
donated by the author to the Rotary Club of Ayr for community and
international service projects.
In its 160 pages,
as well as comprehensive details of the route, the Guide Book
contains a wealth of information for the general public on the
fascinating history, geography and natural history of the
For all enquiries
about the Guide Book contact
guidebook@ayrshirecoastalpath.org
Easy Walking
From Ayr
northwards to Largs, most of the walk is easy and suitable for all
age groups - along natural beach terrain, cycle paths and pleasant
coastal town promenades.
Moderate Walking
From Ayr
southwards to Glen App, although much of the coast is also fine
beach walking, there are many sections of coast - from Heads of Ayr
to Croy Bay where the Carrick Hills descend to the sea; at Kennedy’s
Pass north of Lendalfoot; Bennane Head north of Ballantrae; and the
cliffs north of Glen App - where walking along the shore itself is
difficult or impossible. Luckily in some areas there are sections of
disused railway line, and gradual ascents over remnants of ancient
pack roads and farm tracks that effectively bypass the cliffs and
provide superb high-level views of the Firth.
Difficult
Walking
Unavoidably -
between
Amenities
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A Scottish Rotary
Club's massive project to link 100 miles (161 kilometers) of
beaches, paths and tracks along the 