A section of the Ayrshire Coastal Path has been listed among the 20 best coastal walks in the UK by The Times newspaper. 

The route from Maidens to Dunure, part of the 100mile path created Ayr Rotary Club, appeared in a Times feature of the country’s 20 most picturesque coastal walks.

Ron Ireland, Ayr Rotary convener , said: “This is a real accolade for a path which is managed and maintained entirely by a committed group of volunteers.”

In December 2003, Ayr Rotarian Dr Jimmy Begg was asked to come up with a suitable local project to celebrate the centenary of Rotary International. 

Fast-forward to June 2008 and after a super-human effort on the part of Jimmy and his fellow Rotarians, the Ayrshire Coastal Path was officially opened. The path is now officially recognised by Scottish Natural Heritage as one of ‘Scotland’s Great Trails’ attracting visitors to Ayrshire from all the ‘airts and pairts’.

Ron added: “What distinguishes this path from other trails is the manner in which it is managed and maintained. This is achieved through the commitment of a team of volunteer ‘pathminders’ now comprising both Rotarian and non-Rotarian members, men and women, in approximately equal numbers.

“The scenic delights of the Ayrshire Coastal Path are second to none. Running from Glenapp in the south to Skelmorlie in the north, the chosen route exploits some of the finest coastal scenery in Scotland with spectacular, panoramic views of Arran, Ailsa Craig, Kintyre and Bute.

"The ever-present, natural wildlife and the glorious history of this part of southwest Scotland combine to enhance the appreciative path-walker’s experience.”

Find out more about the path and how to become involved by visiting https://ayrshirecoastalpath.org/.