Circular route - Barassie - Dundonald via Smugglers Trail

I decided to give the tendon a longer workout this morning with a decent circular walk. My route starts from Barassie, walking up-to just before Loans where I join the Smugglers trail to Dundonald. From the village I head for Symington; then towards Langholm farm cafe/shop and back to Barassie via Loans and the Darly golf course. A good circuit of around 10 miles.

Early morning 

The weather forecast for later in the day is for very strong wind and rain so up and away for an early morning start. There was a strong easterly wind already bringing cool air which helped to clear my stuffed nose quickly.
After half an hour I join the Smugglers trail which originates at Troon beach if you want to do the full walk.
Warning this trail can be popular with rambling/walking groups so be prepared for a mass of grey haired people, with all the new walking gear, suddenly appearing en masse. Luckily for me today there was nobody at all until I met a couple of walkers coming my way almost at Dundonald. After the sign you go up a small road, past some workshops and homesteads until the gates of Troon Angling club appear. You go round the side and follow the path. On your right hand side there is a deep water pool fenced off, surrounded by trees. Have a look into the trees over the water as these trees are used as a roosting area for grey herons and from time to time you can see over a dozen of them. None around today though. Up the short walkway and have a look at Collenan water, the home of Troon Angling Club. No early morning fishermen to be seen and no trout rising either.

The walk through the woods to Dundonald takes around 30 minutes. Once in the woods there is minimal views of the surrounding countryside. This is a true ancient Scottish wood full of elm, beech, ash, oak pine etc.

If you are into trees you can spend more time investigating here and I'm told it has some interesting flora & fauna. Shortly after going past the reservoir there is an option of a small diversion, thereis a small path to your right which takes you up a slope where at the top you can get good views of Troon and afield plus the old pond where I'm told curling used to take place. If you climb over the fence you can look into Hillhouse quarry which takes you to a different landscape. Take care. it can be a dangerous place and if you hear a siren the ground may soon shake as a blasting takes place in the quarry. Walking through the woods today the leaves were falling and carpeted the path in an attractive way. In terms of wildlife just some normal woodland birds chirping away; blue tits, robins, dunnocks in the main. I spotted a few trees together in the woods where I thought the bark was peeling but on reflection it is likely to be the spot where the stag rubs his antlers against the bark. It is common to see small deer in these parts, probably roe deer but I am not an expert. From previous walks I know the woods host quite a few birds. Crows & buzzards frequently mob each other. Woodpeckers tap the trees. Sparrowhawks fly through the trees trying to flush the smaller birds. By day on the reservoir water house martins feed and at dusk out come the bats. In a nearby location raven & peregrine can be seen. So keep your eyes open.
At the end of the trail, go along the walkway behind some houses and you come to Dundonald castle. There is a tearoom but it is only open Apr-Oct. The castle can be visited but I'm  not sure if its restricted to the same timescale.
You then go through the village of Dundonald but not many shops to explore here. 
Instead of going back via Dundonald Hill I cut off to the left taking the Symington back road. This is a pleasant tarmac walk, surrounded by fields with livestock dominated by cattle, sheep and horses. Not too much traffic but be alert.

There are pleasant views over East Ayrshire, you can spot Louden Hill ( see an earlier blog ) and Alex Salmond's legacy for Scotland, the biggest wind-farm at Eaglesham moor, an abomination.
With Symington in sight turn right to Corraith and stop at Langholm Farm cafe for refreshments, usual menus as well as some superb home-baking. Not the cheapest place but nice surroundings and staff.
The return now, walking off the scone and jam is back to Loans. I walked down to the golf course and walked back to Barassie via the Darly course, once upon a time an Open championship qualifying course and can be a demon of a links course, bring a supply of golf balls if you want to play it.
Thankfully the rain stayed off and it was a dull sky but nice walking morning. Time of walking was 3 hours 30 minutes and for the last half an hour my foot was' xxxx' painful. Still progress is being made albeit slowly.

Looking back over the fields to Troon