Distance: 5 miles
Date: Sunday 7th March 2010.
Weather Conditions: Cloudy with hazy sunshine at times
Temperature: 6C
Ordnance Survey Map: Explorer 327 ()
Web site: walkingworld.com
Critique:
Something a little different. This time I picked a walk from a walking website. The website does have some free walks, but the majority have to be paid for via an annual subscription (£17) or the more expensive £1.50 a walk. The problem with this concept is that they charge even for walks which have been contributed by other subscribers and I don't believe any of these walks are tested prior to acceptance, so effectively you could be paying for a walk that doesn't really exist or the instructions are sub-standard.
Anyway, back to this walk. Find the starting point was a slight challenge, mainly because the road recommended for parking was very long and I ended up parking at the 'wrong' end. The other problem with this walk (and others from the website) is that instructions are minimal and rely on GPS co-ordinates. If you don't have a GPS (which most of us do not) you have to try to work out where each stage in the walk is located with the barest of instruction.
The starting point is in Catrine, a Mill town, which although does have signs of attractiveness, also has an overwhelming sense of menace, rarely have I ever been to a country town which seems more like an inner city trouble spot. This is somewhat in conflict with the obvious attempts to create a Tourism Industry in the town. There are lots of Historical Information Boards and walking routes which follow the Ayr River Walk, but the town is clearly down at heel and feels like there is a massive crime wave based on the amount of 'barracading' of the local shops visible. Even shops which were open on Sunday appeared to be closed due to the security provision in evidence.
Despite the starting point, the walk is OK, quite interesting from an Industrial History perspective, and later, along the river bank the scenery becomes quite pleasant. Sorn Castle and the Village of Sorn are both very attractive. The walk (if followed correctly) would take less than the 2 hours and is probably slightly shorter than 5 miles, especially if you follow the circular route (which is not actually circular, you just return the same way you have come - another weak point. )
Overall, an 'OK' walk but not the best walk I have done to date. As for the website I used, it's probably a little early to base my assessment on just one walk - I'll try one of the freebies and will report back.
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