Walk: Brown Carrick Hill - caravans, crabs & castle

South Ayrshire | Dunure | Half day walk | ★★★

[View over Ayr from Brown Carrick Hill]

An interesting hill walk? In Ayrshire? This ascent of Brown Carrick Hill cleverly combines a grassy summit with a beguiling section of the Ayrshire coastal way, starting from the lovely fishing village of Dunure - complete with its ruined castle and harbour. Finding the right day requires a bit of planning - sections of the coast path are tidal - but hopefully you'll have a few minutes spare to dabble in the rock pools: crabs of all shapes and sizes guaranteed! Before all that though, you've a small hill to climb, with excellent views all the way into the Highlands from the broad summit on a clear day.

[Parts of the coastal section of the route are tidal - plan accordingly]

đź“Ś Walk: Brown Carrick Hill - caravans, crabs & castle ★★★
Start / finish at Dunure harbour (limited street parking), G.R.: NS 254160 ///image.request.lordship

▶ 14 km / 9 mi | ▲ 350 m | ⌚ Half a day | ⬤ Moderate
Features: Dunure ★★; Dunure Castle ★★; △ Brown Carrick Hill (287 m, sub-2000'); Ayrshire coastline;
Terrain: Paths (variety of surfaces), tracks, roads (mostly quiet or with pavement). Sustained ascent from Dunure, but not too steep; very short boggy sections. Short parts of the coastal section are submerged for up to a couple of hours either side of high tide.

Route & map

Car park, Dunure & harbour - Dunure Castle - Fisherton - track junction just before Dunduff Farm - Brown Carrick Hill - radio masts - road to east - Heads of Ayr caravan park - start via coast path


Route credit: Scotland Off the Beaten Track
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On our visit

Wildlife: Sheep & lambs, cows, roe deer. Rock pool life and seabirds on coastal stretch. Biting horseflies on the hill.
Weather: Sunshine with temperature in mid-20s, but a light sea breeze for most of the walk.

Chronological photo guide

[Dunure Harbour]

[Dunure Castle (13/2/16)]

[Middle section of the ascent to Brown Carrick Hill]

[Summit and trig point]

[Looking west from the summit]

[Ailsa Craig]

[Looking towards the eastern summit]

[View over Ayr]

[The descent follows a quiet road]

[Views from the dismantled railway section of the coast path]

[Steps down to the shoreline]

[Shoreline section ahead - partly tidal]

[Sea views]

[Parts of the coastal section of the route are tidal - plan accordingly]

[Along the coast]

[Catching crabs]

[Approach to Dunure]

[Brown Carrick Hill seen from the A719]

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