ADRC Troon to Dundonald on the Smugglers Trail. January 2012

Walk start at the closed toilets in Troon.

Setting off along the shore.

Frosty elevenses at Fullarton House

Here's a couple of antiques.

I thought our American readers would appreciate this sign!!

The smugglers trail.

At one time this was the town of Troons water supply.

Dundonald Castle (circa 1371)

Our leader.

Today Saturday January 28th ADRC with 26 walkers set off from South Beach in Troon to do a 7 mile walk to Dundoald on an old smugglers trail. Crossing over Royal Troon golf links on a very frosty morning we were not alone several hardy golfers with their coloured balls were trying to play on the frozen links.Passing the old Crosbie Church which was part of last weeks walk with South Ayrshire we went into the estate of Fullarton House to have  our coffee stop beside some open toilets.As we passed a field there were large flocks of geese feeding much to the delight of some local twitchers with their telescopes . We then passed through the village of Loans to take us onto the next part of the smugglers trail when our leader told us that in years gone by some people would bring in ships of spirits and tobacco and transport them up this road to Dundonald. In other words this was the early version of todays booze cruises. Once we reached Dundonald Castle we had a lunch stop where some of the group then went for the bus home to leave the rest of the group to do a return walk  over Dundonald Hill to complete a 14 mile ramble.Super day out in the winter sunshine with lots of local history storys .