Day 11 - Shawhead to Troon

Day 10 - Temple Sowerby to Shawhead

Day 12 - Troon to Ardgartan

Comments

The B729 (plus a short stretch of A702) is extremely quiet and a lovely road to cycle along with great scenery. The day is basically two climbs up to watersheds with following descents. The first is on moorland and among forests, the second is close to Loch Doon. The roads in Ayrshire are appalling, very poorly maintained, the descent into Dalmellington is beautiful but the road is very rough. The B730 is also easy quiet cycling and smoother. If you do need to go into Troon use the A759 rather than the Old Loans Road which goes over a big hill (great views though).

All three of the campsites shown on OS maps near Kilmarnock are now caravan parks. They are at Tarbolton, Dundonald and Cunninghamhead. The nearest one that would accept tents was at St Meddans at Troon even though this is strictly a caravan park too he has had many end to enders stay here. It's right next to a railway line so there is some train noise. Facilities were old fashioned but not too bad. Very close to the town centre for going out to eat too.