Location: The Hunter Blair Monument, Ayrshire
Grade: Moderate hill and country walk
Distance: 5 miles/8km
Time: 2-3 hours
Standing Tall
The centrepiece of this walk is the 20m-high granite obelisk on Craigengower Hill erected to the memory of Lt-Col James Hunter Blair, who died as the result of injuries suffered at the Battle of Inkerman in the Crimean War in November 1854. He was the eldest son of Sir David Hunter Blair of Blairquhan Castle, which can be seen from the monument (about 2km west of Straiton). Blairquhan is an A-listed building designed by William Burn and after being the Hunter Blair family home for 200 years is now used as a venue for weddings and corporate events.
James Hunter Blair was MP for Ayrshire from 1849-52 but when the Crimean War broke out he re-enlisted in the Scots Fusiliers. Inkerman was a confusing battle fought in dense fog and the outcome was inconclusive. The monument was erected by the family in the 1860s.
The walk is one of a number set up around Straiton, which is an attractive small village in South Ayrshire. A leaflet describing them all can usually be obtained at the walkers’ car park. The walk begins along Straiton’s wide main street, passing St Cuthbert’s Church and the Black Bull inn. This is a ‘planned village’ set up by the Earl of Cassilis in the late 18th century, and many of the buildings, including the inn, date from this period.
When the road bends right, you can see straight ahead the elegant Traboyack House, a former manse. Just past the primary school you leave the road and cross a large field on a firm grassy path, curving right towards the wood above. The monument can clearly be seen.
Once through the rather dark wood you are faced with a steep climb to the monument, but the footsteps left by other walkers over time make it almost like a staircase. The view opens up rapidly, and from the monument you can see Ailsa Craig, the hills of Arran and the Firth of Clyde.
The monument sits on several layers of stone steps and is very sturdily made. It has stood here for 150 years and looks good for at least the same again. It is very typical of its period and is one of a huge number in Scotland. I love seeing the inscription ‘Mon’ on OS maps and am always keen to see what is there and find the story behind it.
The walk continues down the southern face of the hill and then follows a path beside the graceful Water of Girvan. The river has its source in Loch Girvan Eye in the Galloway hills about 15km south of Straiton, and follows an incredibly convoluted course before reaching the sea – at Girvan as might be expected. The walk then turns back towards Straiton to pass through Bennan Wood. There is a viewpoint here which can be gained by a diversion from the route but at the time of writing the path to it was rather obstructed after felling.
Finally you pass through Bennan Farm and then swing right to return to the car park. This is a very satisfying circuit and Straiton is such an attractive place that I am sure you will want to return to sample other walks in the area.
Roger Smith
ROUTE PLANNER
Map: OS 1:50,000 sheet 77 Dalmellington & New Galloway or 1:25,000 Explorer sheet 326 Ayr & Troon). Free trails leaflet with map available at car park.
Distance: 5 miles/8km
Time: 2-3 hours
Start/Finish: Car park, Straiton village (GR: NS 379050).
Public transport: Stagecoach West service 361 (Ayr-Dunure) passes through Straiton. Details from www.travelinescotland.com or www.stagecoachbus.com .
Information: www.southayrshire.gov.uk/outdooraccess/straitontrails
Route: Walk through the village and continue on road. Pass primary school and in 100m go L at signpost. Cross field on grass path and walk up by forest edge. Enter forest at gate, walk through and exit at ladder stile. Climb steeply to Monument. Continue downhill generally heading SW following marker poles. TR on track. TL on road. In 150m TR on path by river. Cross river at road. Pass Craigfad Farm and TR on path. Fork L at signpost and follow path through wood. Exit wood and TR to Bennan Farm. Take access road and just after house called Stepends TR on path. Cross river and continue back to car park.
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