THE first public showing of a new film promoting the Culzean Way walking and cycling route will be held in Ayr tomorrow (Thursday).

The film by Edinburgh-based filmmaker and author Markus Stitz, with music from Scottish composers Lisa Busby and John Harries, highlights the beauty of South Ayrshire and the efforts of a volunteer community group to give the disused Maidens and Dunure Light Railway, from Ayr to Girvan, a new lease of life.

The film, which will can be viewed in the Cutty Sark events space in Ayr High Street bertween 1-3pm on June 1, was commissioned by South Ayrshire Paths Initiative (SAPI), a volunteer community group dedicated to the development and promotion of a network of safe and attractive walking and cycling paths and routes in South Ayrshire.

It is the first step towards securing funding for the development of a safe, attractive and traffic-free all abilities walking and cycling path linking the towns of Ayr and Girvan to encourage community health and improve tourism.

Film-maker Markus, a German-born route designer, and journalist, said: “Giving this disused coastal railway route a new lease of life would create one of the most picturesque cycling routes in the world in my opinion.

"I didn’t know too much about South Ayrshire before I worked on this project, but spending five days in this beautiful part of Scotland inspired me to not only produce this film, but also to give South Ayrshire the ‘pole position’ in my latest book Bikepacking Scotland.”

Ayr Advertiser: The route

The Culzean Way will be based on the track bed of the disused Maidens and Dunure Light Railway, and will co-exist with the Ayrshire Coastal Path, linking and sharing sections where appropriate.

Although there are many opportunities to get outdoors and go walking and cycling in the area, the route will address barriers and safety issues that currently exist.

South Ayrshire Paths Initiative is working with the local council, roads department, community councils and organisations like Sustrans, Paths for All and Cycling Scotland to realise the project, which will be developed in stages over multiple years.

An already existing short section of cycle path on the former railway passes through Alloway.

Another major landmark on the proposed route is Culzean Castle. Perched on the Ayrshire cliffs, the castle was designed by Robert Adam in the late 18th century; it once also decorated the back of a £5 note issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland.

The small coastal village of Dunure, also on the route, was a filming location for Outlander.

Throughout the route offers great views towards Ailsa Craig, the island which has long been the place where curling stones are quarried, and In summer it is home to 40,000 gannets.

Bill McKinlay, secretary of the South Ayrshire Paths Initiative, commented: “For many years I’ve looked at the curves of this old railway line sweeping along the South Ayrshire coast, with magnificent views of Arran, Ailsa Craig, Kintyre and Northern Ireland as its backdrop.

"And always viewed from the car, or while risking life and limb cycling – it’s long been my dream to walk and cycle the route off-road.

"So many disused railway track-beds have been repurposed as active-travel routes; and this one would rival any for location and scenery.

"It will be a superb facility for people living in the area, and a boon for tourism. We’re finally getting close, with funding available, a political will to make it happen, and now this wonderful film from Markus to showcase the concept.”

‘The Culzean Way’ will be available to watch for free on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21zUPV6PEYg&feature=youtu.be.

More information about the proposed route can be found at www.theculzeanway.org