  AYRSHIRE 
        PATHS - MAP OF DAILLY
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    |   Path 
        Marker Symbol is a Curling stone, the walk passes the old curling pond. 
         
        Leaving the village the route through Lindsayston Wood follows the burn. 
        A series of delightful waterfalls and pools makes this an enchanting secluded 
        place. A rustic seat carved out of local oak from Kilkerran Estate is 
        sited at a particularly beautiful spot overlooking the tumbling waters. 
        It is a delight to walk along the woodland path and like other walks around 
        Dailly is a sanctuary for wildlife. If you are lucky you may see heron 
        and dippers feeding in the burn. 
         
        The route continues along a section of the unclassified hill road to Barr 
        where on the left by the roadside you can see a small sandstone memorial 
        which is inscribed "Dr C". It is not known who Doctor C was 
        but local tradition has it that he was a Doctor from Maybole who was killed 
        at this spot, when thrown from his horse, whilst returning from visiting 
        an outlying patient. 
         
        An interesting relic of a bygone age can be seen at the junction of the 
        track to Balcamie. In the woods beside the burn are the remains of the 
        old waulkmill at Gettybeg. This mill, powered by water from the burn was 
        used in a process to make heavier and more compact cloth through shrinking 
        and beating. Sadly the waterwheel has long gone. Returning along an attractive 
        narrow track past Balcamie Farm on the right is the site of the old curling 
        pond now filled in.  | 
  
   
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    |   Path 
        Marker Symbol: Oak leaf from the Colliers Oak, where miners used 
        to meet. Leaving the village the route passes Balcamie Farm and climbs 
        towards Barony Hill with views west towards the coast and Ailsa Craig 
        beyond.  
         
        Ascending the hill the track passes close to Machrikill. This is believed 
        to be the site of a cell or chapel founded in the first century by St 
        Machar. It contains parts of an oval shaped earth enclosure within which 
        are two ancient Christian pedestal stones with sockets for holding crosses. 
        Until recent times Dailly Parish Church was known a St Marcher's Church 
        of Dailly.  
         
        Crossing the bare hillside the summit of Barony Hill is reached, where 
        there is the opportunity to take in the view and rest on the many oak 
        log seats distributed throughout the walks. It is a joy to walk through 
        Falfarocher Glen following the burn downstream through a marvelous woodland 
        which is the haunt of roe deer, badger and fox.  
         
        Walking the bank of the Water of Girvan the route passes the now derelict 
        Dalquharran Mansion, which is conspicuous on high ground on the north 
        side of the river. It was built in 1786 to a design by Robert Adam and 
        commissioned by Thomas Kennedy who married Jean Adam, a niece of Robert. 
        Wings were added to the left and right of the house in 1881 pending a 
        royal visit which never took place. In 1936 it opened its doors as Scotland's 
        grandest youth hostel until the war intervened. After re-crossing the 
        river the ruins of the old Dalquhairn Castle can be seen through the woods. 
        The castle dates from the 16th century and was built by a branch of the 
        Kennedy's of Culzean and was acquired by Sir Thomas Kennedy of Kirkhill 
        and Colmonell, an offshoot of the Bargany Kennedy's who held it until 
        1935. The grounds contain a walled garden, stables and a family graveyard 
        with an obelisk, crosses and chest tombs.  
         
        The path now meanders through a riverside wood of predominately sycamore, 
        yew, lime and elm. In spring and early summer snowdrops, daffodils and 
        bluebells carpet the woodland floor. Before reaching the village the path 
        crosses a footbridge (constructed in 2002) over the River Girvan. This 
        artistic designed bridge is the main focus of the paths network around 
        Dailly. The path through the Dalquharran woods to the bridge and from 
        the bridge to the village is suitable for wheelchair access.   | 
  
   
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       Path 
        Marker Symbol: Tramway and hutch full of coal.  
        A short circular walk for those with limited time to sample the area. 
        However when undoubtedly tempted back this walk can be linked with the 
        Kilgrammie Walk to make a longer excursion.From the village a short walk 
        past the golf course takes you to a woodland path through a tranquil conifer 
        plantation with good open views from the western corner. Nearby is a ruined 
        engine room, the only building to survive from Kilgrammie Colliery which 
        closed in 1907. The old railway sidings for coal wagons can be found nearby. 
         
        Dailly grew as a coal mining village over three centuries ago, however 
        its history and people date back many more centuries. The village is well 
        worth exploring with the most interesting part around the church (1766) 
        where a small square is overlooked by a white granite war memorial.  
         
        An interesting fact is that Ailsa Craig is in Dailly Parish. This is because 
        the island was owned by the Barony of Knockgerron, with Knockgerron being 
        in Dailly Parish which extended to the sea in what today is now the Parish 
        of Girvan.  | 
  
   
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    |   Path 
        Marker Symbol: Jock Tamson`s Bairns. John Thomson the originator 
        of the saying "They're all Jock Tamson's Bairns" was born in 
        Dailly.  
        This walk has many associations with the coal mining industry of a bygone 
        era. Walking through Kilgrammie, little is evident of that life as new 
        woodland has obscured nearly all traces. An attractive walk through conifers 
        with the possibility of seeing wildlife, roe deer, squirrel, sparrow hawks 
        and buzzard. 
         
        Close by is the old Kilgrammie pit. This was the site where in 1835, John 
        Brown a 66 year old collier was trapped in a pitfall and remained underground 
        without food for 23 days and came out alive. Most had given John up for 
        dead but several worked on as they thought they heard cries. When they 
        eventually found a totally exhausted John Brown his words were "Boys 
        oh but were a long time coming". One report says he would have been 
        spared his ordeal had he not turned back to pick up his jacket as others 
        fled the collapsing workings. Sadly John quietly expired three days later 
        and his grave is to be found in the village churchyard.  
         
        From the highest point of the woodland, pause and enjoy a lovely view 
        down the Girvan Valley. A seat is positioned at this point for the walker's 
        convenience. Continuing along the track, the circuit is now complete with 
        the short stroll back into Dailly.   | 
  
   
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    Path 
      Marker Symbol: Fence posts symbolising greater access to the countryside. 
       
      A linear hill walk for those who relish a little steep rough walking. The 
      splendid views leading to the top are as good as any in the district.  
       
      The walk takes you past the cemetery and follows the crystal waters of the 
      Lindsayston Burn. Hadyard Hill looms ahead and with Maxwellston Hill forms 
      an impressive backdrop along the southern boundary of the Girvan Valley. 
      Views open up as height is gained by climbing up the exposed shoulder of 
      Hadyard on to the moorland plateau. This is the habitat of a variety of 
      wildlife including curlew, buzzard, peregrine, kestrel and merlin. Although 
      waymarked, care should be taken when traversing the hilltop in bad weather 
      as the lack of distinct landmarks on the plateau can make navigation difficult. 
       
      With the village of Dailly and the Girvan Valley lying well below, the site 
      of a pre-historic fort on the summit of Maxwellston Hill is reached. The 
      remains of the Pictish fortress consisting of two ramparts and two ditches 
      can be seen. This fort has associations with Robert the Bruce, who having 
      landed on the Ayrshire coast from Arran took refuge here following an unsuccessful 
      attack on Turnberry Castle. Bruce camped with some 300 men for three days 
      before moving to a more secure location in the Galloway Hills  
       
      On a clear day extensive views are afforded of the Ayrshire coast towards 
      the Cumbraes and to the south overlooking Penquhapple reservoir the Southern 
      Uplands stretch to the horizon. | 
  
   
    |   FOR 
        YOUR GUIDANCE AND SAFETY 
        Go prepared for muddy paths and wet weather. Stout shoes or boots and 
        waterproofs are advisable. Not all paths follow recognised public rights 
        of way. Please respect the environment, follow the Country Code and keep 
        young children and dogs under control. This map is only for information 
        purposes, we recommend taking a detailed Ordnance Survey map of the area 
        for reference and safety. 
         
        Most of the routes could be described as moderate, however there are sections 
        on the Maxwellston Hill Walk and Barony Hill Walk which involve some steep 
        climbing. 
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