Walk #1 – SWAT Nature Trail
This walk is largely within Lainshaw Woods. Please see the Nature Trail Map for details.
Walk #2 – Mill House to Lainshaw Woods
This walk starts at the Mill House Bar and Restaurant on the Old Glasgow Road and finishes at the exit from the Lainshaw Woods on Kilwinning Road. Please note that, at that particular exit from Lainshaw Woods, the Kilwinning Road is a rural road with no pavement or footpath.
- Section 1: Mill House to the bottom of Meikle Court: From the Mill House Bar and Restaurant head north up the Old Glasgow Road for a short distance and take the first right turn into Gilbert Sheddon Court. Then turn right immediately after crossing the bridge and follow the path that runs alongside the south bank of the Annick Water.
- Sections 2 and 3: Meikle Court past Springwell Park to Cutstraw Road: From the bridge at the corner of Meikle Court and Springwell Park, staying on the same side of the river, follow the path until emerging at the foot of Cutstraw Road.
- Section 4: Cutstraw Road to Stewarton Railway Viaduct: Head down Cutstraw Road to the ‘T’ junction with Kirkford. Cross at the pedestrian crossing and go down the footpath beside the end sandstone house to the left of the bridge, again on the same side of the river. Then cross the small bridge over the burn and after 40 metres the path splits into two, one going left away from the river and the other following the river bank more closely. When the two paths merge, follow the river for around 100 metres under the railway viaduct until meeting the A735 (road to Kilmaurs). Cross the road with care and head uphill towards the mini-roundabout under the viaduct. After approximately 30 metres turn left into David Dale Avenue.
- Section 5: Lainshaw Woods Entrance to Fisherman’s Path: At the start of David Dale Avenue, turn left and go through the Lainshaw Woods entrance arch. Then go past the SWAT information panel, down the zig-zag slope and across the small bridge and then along the riverside. Follow the path as it turns left after a slight slope and continue along the river until the edge of the woods. The trees in this area are mainly Beech and Chestnut. (At this point there is an option to turn right into Fishers Grove and cross the beginning of Montgomerie Drive to access the tarmac lane to the water treatment works. (*Wheelchair users should use this route to avoid the series of steep steps between the Waste Water Treatment Works outfall and Anderson’s Mount*)
- Section 6: Fisherman’s Path to The New Steps: The riverside path continues along the north bank of Annick Water until meeting a set of steps. Go up the steps until meeting another path where you have a choice of turning right to David Dale Avenue or left towards Kilwinning Road.
- Section 7 (for shortened trail) : Walled Garden to David Dale Avenue: At the top of the steps turn right and join the tarmac lane that passes the Walled Garden heading back into Stewarton meeting the path at the end of route 5. (*This is the path wheelchair users should take between sections 5 and 8*)
- Section 8: The New Steps to Kilwinning Road: At the top of the steps turn left and follow the path slightly downhill and then round to the right before a long straight stretch going uphill to the top at Anderson’s Mount. At the top, near the seat, there are two alternative rougher paths going left and right along the edges of the wood. The main path goes straight on and after a slight curve in the path goes back downhill to a culvert then ascends in a straight line to the first Kilwinning Road exit.
- Section 9: Plantation Path along Kilwinning Road: At this point the path turns right and runs parallel to Kilwinning Road back towards Stewarton. In this area the trees are mainly Birch, Pine and Beech. The path curves through the woods until the second Kilwinning Road exit at the SWAT gate.
Walk #3 – Extended, Circular Walk Around Stewarton
This walk takes in the banks of Annick Water, Lainshaw Woods and Cunningham Watt Park. Approximately 4.6 miles in length, it takes most walkers just under 2 hours to complete. Please see Gillian’s Walks for details.
Walk #4 – Clerkland Burn Path
This walk is a subset of Walk #3 and focuses on the Clerkland Burn as it enters the town and passes through Cunningham Watt Park. See the All Trails website for details.
We hope you get a chance to explore and enjoy some of these paths. Please follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (previously the ‘Country Code’).