Photographs, route description and map of the village of Sorn in Ayrshire in SW Scotland

Route Map

for Sorn to Mauchline

RIVER AYR WAY - SORN TO MAUCHLINE - ROUTE DESCRIPTION:

Location: Ayrshire
Map: 06 Landranger 70
Distance: 6 miles (10km )
Time: 3-4 hours
Terrain: riverside path

The River Ayr Way follows the river for 42 miles from its source above Glenbuck to the sea, passing through a number of attractive villas. This walk begins at Sorn, a quiet place and the birthplace of noted Covenanter Alexander Peden.
Start by crossing a lovely old bridge and heading away from the river. The route negotiates a high shoulder, with good views back to Sorn Castle, then drops down to the riverside, which you follow to Catrine, passing mature beeches and binches and rhododendron.
Entering Catrine you pass the two Voes, reservoirs set up when the entrepreneur and social reformer David Dale, better known for his associations with New Lanark, set up a cotton mill with Claud Alexander in 1787. At its peak the business employed 900 people and the water power was provided by five reservoirs plus mill lades and a tunnel. It also featured the largest and most powerful water driven wheel in Scotland. In 1993 the system was designated as a scheduled Ancient Monument.
Leaving Catrine, the river passes below towering sandstone cliffs. The walk passes under the A76 — be careful here as the turnoff isn't marked and is easily missed.
The next piece of drama is the soaring Ballochmyle Viaduct carrying the railway across the gorge. The main arch spans over 55 metres and is 51m high; when ﬁnished in 1848 it was the world's largest masonry span arch.
Near the viaduct are cup-and-ri ng markings in the rock thought to be more than 2,500 years old.
The walk continues through woodlan then reaches the farm at Haugh, where Cistercian monks had a corn mill in the 16th century, before going up the minor road to Mauchline. This is a lively place with a long history. At various times it has been noted for clock making, the decorated wooden items known as "Mauchline Ware" ( very collectable today ) and for over 150 years has been a unique centre for the production of curling stones, which today use stone quarried on Ailsa Craig.
Mauchline has extensive Covenanting links but is perhaps most famous for its associations with Robert Burns. He came to live and work at Mossgiel Farm in 1784 and while here wrote some of his best-known works, including Holy Willie's Prayer. The Burns House Museum rewards a visit as does the National Memorial Tower, and it is worth spending a little time in Mauchline before catching the bus, back to Sorn - or on a Sunday when that one doesn't run, possibly back to Catrine to rewalk the ﬁrst scction of the route.

Route:
Cross old bridge over river and turn R on road.
Walk uphlll for 400m and take path on R climbing first then descending to riverside.
Follow path to Catrine.
Tum R over bridge, cross second| bridge and continue to R of the Voes.
At start of second Voe turn L to return to riverside and follow Laigh Road and Ayr Street to T-junction.
Turn R then L at Mill Square, L on Bridge Street, river, turn R on lane.
At L bend go ahead on riverside path.
Just before A76 go R at fork, down steps.
Cross river by bridge and follow road for 500m.
Turn on path into woods and follow generally high above river then descending to walk between fences to Haugh Farm.
Turn R on road and follow road for 2km into Mauchline.