East Ayrshire……..just waiting to be enjoyed

river ayr way

Experience Ayrshire’s most varied and beautiful countryside, enjoy relaxing accommodation, welcoming pubs and award winning restaurants

The River Ayr Way is Scotland’s first source to sea path network. It covers a distance of 44 miles following the river Ayr from its source at Glenbuck Loch to the sea at Ayr. The route passes through one of the most interesting river valleys in Southern Scotland and unlike many other long distance routes it can be walked over a weekend or a long weekend making it an ideal short break activity for visitors to Ayrshire.

opening of the river ayr way

The development of the River Ayr Way was part of the Coalfield Access Project. Ayrshire’s mining history gave access to funding packages totaling £2.5m which was to implement the River Ayr Way and other key routes including the Doon Valley Network, Lugar Water Trail and the Coalfield Cycle Route.

The River Ayr Way passes through areas steeped in history with links to many famous Scottish figures including Robert Burns, William Wallace, John Loudoun Macadam and many covenanters. The route also has a wide range of habitats and diversity of wildlife including otters, badger, heron, hen harrier and much more.