"Up the Line to Loudoun Hill"
Darvel's famous son, Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of penicillin, was born at Lochfield Farm near Darvel in 1881 and a memorial bust sits in Hastings Square, guarded at the other end by the Dagon Stone, a monolith from the Bronze Age.


From here, the landmark of Loudoun Hill, Gateway to the Irvine Valley from the east, dominates the view.



Head east along the Main Street towards the Cemetery Road, a fairly steep but short road that leads to the old Railway Line. This level walk is suitable for all walkers and offers clear open views of pastureland and moorland, eventually reaching Loudoun Hill. Listen for the plaintive sound of curlew and snipe along the way or catch sight of a lone buzzard searching for prey or darting sand martins catching insects on the wing.

A steep road climb takes you to the foot of Loudoun Hill. Finish this walk by climbing the well-worn grassy path up Loudoun Hill 1054 ft above sea level with an end reward of panoramic views over Ayrshire, Lanarkshire, the Firth of Clyde and Arran.

Look for the plaque on the summit of Loudoun Hill to commemorate Wallace's victory of 1297. You may also see, if you look hard, the ruins of two houses - aptly named "Nae Place" and "The Back of Beyond"! For the more adventurous, the south face of Loudoun Hill provides a challenge for the most experienced of rock climbers.

If the thought of climbing Loudoun Hill is too much, take a detour and have a rest at the Loudoun Hill Inn before retracing your steps back to Darvel. Say's Physa, a freshwater snail from North America, has been found in an artificial pond at the Loudoun Hill Inn!
Those looking for a long hike should carry on round the Winkingfield, past Drumboy and link with the Long Cairn Walk back to Darvel.