Location: Dean Castle Country Park, Kilmarnock
Grade: Easy countryside walk
Distance: 2.5 miles/4km
Time: 1-2 hours
Despite living only half an hour’s drive away, I have to confess that until recently I knew very little about Dean Castle.
Situated on the outskirts of Kilmarnock, the country park offers very pleasant walking through a variety of landscapes.
The Countryside Trail curves up to run high above the Craufurdland Waters, passing through an area of magnificent old trees and with rhododendrons to add a splash of vivid colour in the spring.
One part of the trail runs close to a housing estate (giving the residents very easy access) and here in an area called Boyd Wood, native trees are being planted to provide a screen.
Later on the trail follows the river for a considerable distance, which always creates interest and it is noticeable how much interpretation about the flora and fauna is provided.
The two rivers – the Fenwick and Craufurdland Waters – are a major feature of the park, and they join to form the Kilmarnock Water near the main entrance.
Dean Castle itself was a surprise and a delight. Dating back to the 14th century, it was primarily associated with the Boyd family who became Earls of Kilmarnock, and among the panoply of historic Scottish buildings it must class as something of a hidden gem.
It is currently undergoing restoration, partly funded by the Heritage Lottery fund, with most of the money coming from East Ayrshire council, to allow it to enjoyed by future generations to come.
Whilst these works are taking place, the castle’s collections of arms and armour, early musical instrument collections and more are on display at the nearby Dick Institute.
The country park provides a great day out for kids with its large adventure play area, mini zoo and other attractions.
Our last visit was on a truly dreich day in early winter but despite the rain my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed wandering the park trails.
At a time when so many local services are under threat from severe financial pressures, it is great to come across an example of imaginative fundraising which will ensure that Dean Castle and its lovely park have plenty to offer visitors of all ages.
ROGER SMITH
ROUTE PLANNER
Map: OS 1:50,000 Landranger sheet 70 (Ayr, Kilmarnock & Troon). A free map of the park showing the trails is in the Dean Castle leaflet available at the castle or can be downloaded from www.deancastle.com
Start/Finish: Main car park, off Dean Road, KIlmarnock (GR: NS436394)
Distance: 2.5 miles/4km
Time: 1-2 hours
Information: Ayr TIC, 01292 290300.
Route: Leave car park and follow driveway up towards Dean Castle. Just before the Castle, turn left into the woods (sign for ‘History Trail’). Follow path up and R as it passes gateway entrance to park and then runs near houses. Look for steps on R and go steeply down to Fenwick Water. TL on path by river to reach car park. Cross and take signed path curving as it climbs through woodland. Pass Riding Centre, cross driveway and immediately TR on path which initially runs high above Craufurdland Water but later drops down to riverside. Follow path, keeping by river, to stone bridge on L. Cross and go ahead to visit Castle or TL back to start of walk.
We are running our favourite previously published walks due to a backlog caused by Covid
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel