 AYRSHIRE
PATHS - MAP OF DAILLY
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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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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. |
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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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