📌 Loch Doon, East Ayrshire
★★★★
A sign at the start boldly proclaims Ness Glen to be one of Britain’s finest rock gorges, so it may come as a surprise to hear that this dramatic spot is situated in gentle East Ayrshire! Nothing to do with the river of the same name flowing from Loch Ness – instead, the water originates in the Galloway Hills surrounding Loch Doon. Historically a popular tourist attraction, the paths fell into disuse for decades before massive upgrades by the Craigengillan Estate have restored access in recent years. Excellent paths and dozens of bridges follow white water into the dark confines of the glen, with further new paths back along the top. A tiny, useful takeaway provides refreshments (and toilets) at the start.
📷 Chronological photo guide
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish at Loch Doon dam, 3 mi south of Dalmellington
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NS 476012
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 55.281952,-4.400589
❌ No public transport within 1 mi
🚗 Car park
📝 Key info
▶ 3 km / 2 mi | ▲ 70 m | ⌛ 1 hr
Features: 🌊 Ness Glen
⬤ Easy | Clear mud footpaths with slippery bridges, rocky in places.
Download file for GPS➡️ Anticlockwise circuit: start – Ness Glen along burn path – suspension bridge over burn – start via top of gorge
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Dippers on the burn; a couple of grey herons.
Weather: Cloudy and dry, temperatures in mid teens.
September 2015
