Apparently it’s hotter than the Sahara Desert down south. I don’t think Ayrshire got the message. Prestwick is cold, grey, wet, and windy, with the beach offering no shelter.
A slight detour through Royal Troon golf course offers a little respite behind the dunes. It’s too early for golfers — only a few hardy ground staff.
The rain is absolutely hammering down when I get to Troon, so I take refuge in Costa Coffee. I’m sorely tempted to jump on a train to Glasgow.
The sandy beach walk from Troon to Irvine would be beautiful on a nice day. The only other souls are a couple of dog walkers, with two very happy retrievers, bounding across to say hello, and inspecting my hands for a hidden ball to be thrown.
A dragon appears on the crest of the dunes. A bit of fire breathing warmth would be welcome.
Reaching Irvine, I dive into another coffee shop to shelter and enjoy a warm drink.
Heading back out into the rain, it does have the benefit of transforming a tributary of the River Garnock into a raging torrent.
The rain finally eases off, and the landscape changes from grim to dramatic, with white-capped waves rolling in. This is more enjoyable.
Approaching Saltcoats, the wind is whipping up the sand.
The waves crash against the long curving stone promenade. A tall thin man approaches from the far end, pulling a suitcase behind him, his gaze fixed ahead. He doesn’t reply to my greeting. Where is he going as there is only sand ahead?
I enjoy reading the plaques on the “talking wall” between Saltcoats and Ardrossan.
It’s been a tough day and I’m relieved to reach Ardrossan for the train home. When I return it will be to catch the ferry to the Isle of Arran, hopefully across a calmer sea.
Walk distance: 23 miles.
Total distance: 1,986 miles.
This looks to have been a bit of an endurance. It sounds like you are following Ruths’ lead and going further north by way of the Isle of Arran. I’m sticking to the mainland but going to Arran is certainly a priority, and I know it has a proper coast path (a rarity in Scotland!).
No, the plan is to head up to Arran on Saturday and spend a week doing the coastal path and some mountain hikes, before continuing up the mainland from Ardrossan. I will cover as many islands as is enjoyable while still following the mainland.
Ah that’s good to hear Tony. I shall be just across the water from you on the Kintyre peninsula next week.
Aha….let’s hope we both get fine weather!
I wondered if you would hop across the Clyde some point soon to miss out all those long peninsulas round Gare Loch (not sure how you get round Faslane naval base), Loch Long etc – I would! I hope you enjoy Arran and it will be interesting to see where you go after that!
Thanks Sulewath. I only plan as far as my next trip and then see how I feel, so everything is always fluid. I certainly use ferries unless there is something I really want to see. 🙂
The section between Irvine and Troon is the only part I’ve walked. I’m very fond of that dragon!
I was happy to shelter in the middle of its coils for a while.