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Gillian’s Walks is delighted to play a part in this year’s Ballantrae Smugglers Festival, giving you the opportunity to experience a guided hike along one of Ballantrae’s official Smugglers Trails: Knockdolian Hill
Meeting at Craigiemains Garden Centre, enjoy some pre-walk refreshments during which local historian Andy McAlpine will set the scene with a short talk and film about Ballantrae’s smuggling history.
The group will then head off to climb the distinctive Knockdolian Hill – a local landmark which can be seen for miles around – on a walk that blends history, scenery, and adventure. If conditions allow, walkers will enjoy panoramic views stretching from Arran to Northern Ireland. This is a walk that captures the spirit of Ayrshire’s coast and countryside in one memorable outing.
Walk distance 7 miles
Graded moderate due to steep ascents and pathless descent through fields. Total ascent/descent is 827ft / 252m. One gate to climb. Mixture of roadside pavements, wooded riverside trails, surfaced single track roads, grassy hill path, pathless fields, sand and shingle beach. Possibility of livestock. No dogs allowed.
Starts 10.15am Craigiemains Garden Centre, Ballantrae
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