kilbirnie a guide to local paths and the outdoors

www.ayrshirepaths.org Enjoy ’s welcome to kilbirnie outdoors responsibly

This booklet provides a guide to local path networks and a flavour of the places you can explore around add town name here.

There are lots of things to see and do in and around Kilbirnie and the nearby villages of and from a walk around the historic town, to spotting wildlife on Kilbirnie Loch or a leisurely cycle along National Cycle Network Route 7.

More information on path lengths, surfaces and distances is available on the Paths website alongside information on responsible access and other useful information for your visit.

So why not get out there and explore and enjoy being active along the way? health benefits things to see and do

Did you know that while you are enjoying the outdoors your Conservation Area body is enjoying it too? A Conservation Area Regeneration Being active is good for your health. It has been shown to reduce Scheme (CARS) is being developed for people’s risk of heart disease, stroke and certain cancers. It can help Kilbirnie, part funded by Historic improve low mood and reduce the risk of depression and anxiety. . The 5-year programme Keeping active can also improve the symptoms of osteoarthritis. includes improvements to the Walker The current recommendation for physical activity is 30 minutes Hall and Knox Institute, public realm of moderate activity on at least five days of the week. improvements, a grants scheme and training opportunities. www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk Walking and cycling are a great ways to do this! • Makes you feel good • Gives you more energy • Reduces stress and helps you sleep better Clyde Muirshiel • Keeps your heart healthy and reduces blood pressure Regional Park • Helps to manage your weight Kilbirnie Loch and a proportion of the surrounding hills and farmland form part of Why are they great activities for staying healthy? Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, Scotland’s largest Regional Park. Formally designated • Almost everyone can do them in 1990, roughly half of the Park’s land area is • You can do them anywhere and within . It offers a range of at any time opportunities for walking, cycling, • They’re free and you don’t need volunteering and outdoor activities across special equipment the area. The Park’s Ranger Service organises • You can start slowly and build events and volunteer activities, records wildlife up gently and delivers environmental education across • You can meet new people the area. www.clydemuirshielregionalpark.co.uk things to see and do useful information

Kilbirnie Loch Kilbirnie Loch is approximately a mile and a half long and half a mile across Information on rail and bus travel is available from Traveline Scotland and forms the boundary with . It is a well used local amenity by downloading the app, visiting the website catering for diverse sporting activities and providing popular bird watching www.travelinescotland.com or by calling 0871 200 2233 opportunities. Unusually the Loch’s main source, the Maich Water enters at the same point as the Dubbs Water which drains it. Information on the core paths network is available from [email protected] /corepathsplan National Cycle Network Route 7 The long distance National Cycle Network Route 7 links Kilbirnie to the Information on the Scottish Outdoor Access Code is available from neighbouring towns of and . The route runs www.outdooraccess-scotland.com approximately north to south through North Ayrshire and is on minor roads between Kilwinning and Kilbirnie and off road between Kilbirnie and Information on local path networks is available from Lochwinnoch. www.ayrshirepaths.org.uk www.sustrans.org.uk/route/route-7 Radio City Information on health and wellbeing in Ayrshire is available from Radio City is a converted former art deco cinema, which provides a range of www.healthinfoshop.scot.nhs.uk community facilities including a gym, cafe and managed meeting spaces. www.radiocity.org.uk Information on outdoor access is available from www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/outdooraccess Bird Watching The varied countryside around Kilbirnie offers a range of bird watching opportunities including the riverside paths along the River Garnock and Kilbirnie Loch. There are lots of places for a bit of spotting and lots to see throughout the year from and Tufted ducks throughout the year to Goldeneye, Widgeon and Teal in the winter. Grey Heron are often sighted patrolling the banks. The Ayrshire Birding website provides helpful information on where to go. www.ayrshire-birding.org.uk www.ayrshirepaths.org

Copies of this booklet and others in this series are available to download from our website. These booklets can also be made available in other formats and community languages.

This project was funded by: