Our first visit to a Caravan and Motorhome Club site was to Craigie Gardens in Ayr. We crossed the border in rain from Northumberland after a long drive but the weather got brighter as we made our way down the southwest coast.
We had a confusing start to our first club site, arriving at the same time as an emergency ambulance so we hadn’t had the instruction about choosing your own pitch, setting up and then reporting to reception. Once we’d got the right information we got settled in a nice spot.
Once established, we set out exploring Ayr, walking through the town past the river and on out to the sea. Ayr beach is long and sandy with a great view across to the Isle of Arran and Ailsa Craig.
On our first full day we had planned a bike ride up the coast to Irvine via Troon. We were blessed with stunning weather for our ride and the national cycle route 7 was a great choice, with a variety of scenery including coast, town and countryside. When cycling past Prestwich airport we watched an RAF plane practising its approach to landing before circling around to try it again. Irvine beach was a lovely spot for lunch, although pushing the bikes up the sand dunes was a challenge but rewarding with almost the whole beach to ourselves!
On a blustery and showery Monday we decided to take Herdy out on the road for an explore. We drove south and looked at the waves in Girvan before continuing to Stranraer. Having come this far we just kept going and the roads got narrower and quieter until we reached the lighthouse at the Mull of Galloway, the southern most point in Scotland.
We donned face masks, applied hand sanitiser, signed the register and ordered coffee and cake in the cafe. Then refreshed set off to walk around the headland inhabited by birds and cattle. We walked back down the road as far as the beach and, because the cows were looking at Gillian (menacingly) walked back on the cliff edge.
We decided to stay the night, one of half a dozen motorhomes and campervans stopping over in this remote location. The mist had lifted by the morning and we had spectacular views over the Irish Sea to the Isle of Man.
After breakfast we drove to Newton Stewart to stop at Sainsbury’s for supplies. Then on to the Glentrool visitor centre. Left Herdy in the car park and set off cycling to the top of the loch and Bruce’s Stone. This was a very deceptive road, we were both convinced that we cycled downhill, and very worried about the ride back along the valley. It was really confusing when we turned around and freewheeled almost the whole way back.
Bruce’s Stone commemorates a battle where Robert Bruce’s Scottish army defeated the English in Glen Trool.
Presented with another glorious day of sunshine we decided on hiking a section of the Ayr coastal path heading south to Dunure. The path follows the shoreline at the foot of Greenan Castle and then the Heads of Ayr before climbing to the cliff top and dropping back to some amazing isolated beaches. Superb views of Goatfell on Arran, and gannets, guillemots and a large flock of mute swans. Just under 26km walking.
With a really strong blustery wind our cycle ride only went as far as Troon. Riding with the wind on our backs the route there was easy. The change in the weather could be seen in the slate grey sky and the waves crashing on the beach. We had a coffee break in Troon and a all round the town before heading back – into a 20mph wind gusting up to 40mph. Bit of a challenge but an enjoyable trip out.
Our final day in Ayr was cool and very showery so we took Herdy out on the road again – this time heading southeast towards Castle Douglas and Kirkcudbright. We stopped on route to look at Loch Ken and then wandered around Kirkcudbright looking at the river, castle tower and imposing church, enjoying coffee and cake whilst we were there. Coming back we made a slight detour to Cumnock to see the commemorative statue of Keir Hardie.
Splendid holiday and our longest trip away in Herdy so far. Lots of great weather (and a few rainy days) and some memorable walks and cycle rides.
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