Dog walk - Saltcoats Ardrossan etc

[Craigie]

I fancy taking the mutt down to the beach this week sometime - have previously went to Ayr beach but wondering if any locals could tell me how far can you walk on the beach Ardrossan / Saltcoats / Irvine?
He has spent today sunbathing on the grass so time for some exercise!!

[RPE11Y]

This is my territory mate! There are really 3 main beach walks in the area:

1)The North Shore - Starts at the north end of Ardrossan and you can walk all the way Seamill
2) South Beach - Park at the prom and there is a fairly well-kept stretch running between Ardrossan and Saltcoats
3)The Dunes - Access from prom behind the Saltcoats Labour Club or the bottom end of Stevenston 2 sections here from Saltcoats to Stevenston, and from Stevenston along to Irvine.

All are nice, safe walks with cracking views of Arran, and at sunset truly spectacular!
But in the wind/rain they are VERY exposed....

Further down the coast, I believe there is also a cracking dunes/beach walk to be accessed from Irvine Beach Park, and that runs down to Barassie

Edited by RPE11Y on Monday 25th February 20:41

[Craigie]

Well this week's forecast is for cold, sunny and dry!!

What are the rough distances of each of the routes?

[marshal_alan]

as I live in ardrossan this is also local to me, the north shore to seamill is about 5 miles on a quiet beach, the walk sround the bay from ardrossan to saltcoats is about 3 miles and from saltcoats to stevenston about the same. stevenston to irvine must be around 6 miles and from a walking book irvine to troon is 7 miles. all good strolls

[Andy Bell]

i have a rather daft german shorthaired pointer how close are roads and stuff to the beach? He has the attitude of running like mad so ideally not too close.

[marshal_alan]

rdroan north and south shores the main road runs paralell, the bits between saltcoats and stevenston and stevenston to irvine is okay with no roads nearby

[RPE11Y]

The North Shore runs alongside the A78 for quite a bit with just a wee grass bank separating them, so probably the least safe for adventurous dug!
South Beach bay has a prom and wide grass area between shore and road so not bad, but Saltcoats/Stevenston is completely isolated from roads and very safe, though you might lose him in the dunes! I don't even bother taking a lead there...

[Andy Bell]

Thanks for information appreciated

[Craigie]

Heading down tomorrow so will let you know how we do!