? Click here for step by step directions? Click here for our interactive map of all the walksDistance 3 miles (4.8km) Classification Gentle stroll Duration 1 hour 30 minutes Begins Burns Cottage car park OS grid reference NS333185Walk in a nutshellPavement, woodland and parkland paths circumnavigate attractive Alloway, just south of historic town of Ayr, and the birthplace of Robert Burns. This simple but charming walk visits all of the Burns attractions in the village, but also takes in the pleasant woodland and surrounding parkland.Why it's so specialRobert Burns remains Scotland's greatest literary figure. Therefore a visit to Alloway, including the house where he was born and the fabulous Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, can be a pilgrimage for many, or simply a great way for others to acquire a sense of the man and his work.Keep your eyes peeled forThe grave of William Burnes (Robert Burns' father) in the Auld Kirk graveyard. There are many theories as to why the poet decided to spell his name differently, but one suggests it was due to a legal case regarding William's alleged debt to the estate holder for his farm. When their father died, Robert and his brother Gilbert wanted to distance themselves from the case and so changed the spelling of their surname. Confusingly, William's gravestone in the kirkyard has the spelling Burns.Recover afterwardsOverlooking the famous Brig o' Doon (the final location of Burns' most famous work, Tam o' Shanter) and the striking Burns Monument, the Brig o' Doon hotel is the perfect spot for refreshment and reflection. Tucked away from view, you'll find a coffee shop and ice-cream parlour attached to the hotel.If it's tipping downThe Robert Burns Birthplace Museum was reopened in 2010 after an extensive �21m refurbishment. It now contains an amazing array of artefacts and memorabilia linked to the poet. Burns Cottage, where Robert was born in 1759, also provides a tangible connection to the man.How to get thereRegular trains and buses operate from Glasgow to Ayr. From there, you can simply take one of the many buses to Alloway.1 From the car park, cross the main road and turn right. Take the first entrance in the wall and follow the broad path, passing several sculptures related to Burns. In around 360m the route curves left, crosses a footbridge and then over Murdoch's Lone to reach the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum.2 From the museum, walk through the car park to reach the main road. Cross here to see Alloway Auld Kirk (dating from 1516), where Burns' father William is buried. Recross the road and turn right for a short distance to the entrance of the attractive gardens housing the Burns National Monument, which was erected in 1823. Follow the outer path around the gardens until you see a sign to the Auld Brig. Go down steps and cross the road to the Brig o' Doon, which was built in the 15th century.3 Cross the bridge and follow the small path ahead which leads up to a road. Turn right along the road and then turn left into Longhill Avenue. In about 130m, just before a bridge, go down a rather tricky set of wooden steps to join the cycleway and here turn right.4 The cycleway provides a very pleasant walk and before long it crosses the river Doon. Continue along the cycleway by Mungo's Well, where according to Burns "Mungo's mither hanged herself", and then go through a tunnel and under a road. Pass under another road and by new houses on the right. Eventually the cycleway goes down a ramp to turn left on to a road.5 Take the first left (Kersepark) and then head right along Pemberton valley. After around 180m, opposite a road on the left, take the path on the right, and then turn left on to an undulating route through mature woodland. Cross a road and continue into Rozelle park, a beautiful open space. At a path junction turn left (signposted Bridle Path) and at the next junction, go right past a pavilion to reach Rozelle House.6 On the way out from the park, a short diversion right leads to a very pleasant walk around a large duck pond.7 From the pond return to the main road, cross and turn left, back down to Burns' Cottage.Walking holidaysguardian.co.uk © 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
No comments:
Post a Comment