The best running trails around Dalry

Viewed from the windfarm track that these red & yellow alternatives join at their eastern end, the terrain looked DIRE! Perhaps descend to the Largs Road earlier then ascend to the crematorium. Largs Road traffic is FAST and to be avoided unless unavoidable.

Barr Castle is a 15th-century keep which was altered in the 16th century (and probably later, too). The gables of the castle have collapsed, apart from the chimney stack which juts up into the sky. Not much survives of the former courtyard of the castle. The main hall was on the first floor, reached by a turnpike stair, which continued to the rooms on the upper floors. It is clearly visible from the A760 road going south from the village to Kilbirnie. It was built by the Glen family but passed in the late 16th century to the Hamiltons of Ferguslie. A door lintel has a date of 1680 and the initials L.H./I.C. The family abandoned it in the 18th century in favour of a new house. The family, variously known as Sempill, Sempil, Sempel and Semple, had probably owned estates in the area from as early as the 13th century. Robert Semple, Steward of the barony of Renfrew during the reign of Alexander II, was recorded as living in Elliston Castle, whose ruins lie near Howwood. The Semples of Elliston fought for Robert the Bruce, and steadily grew in power to become the Steward's hereditary Baillies of Renfrewshire. They were appointed Hereditary Sheriffs of Renfrewshire and Hereditary Baillies of Paisley. They were later designated as Lords Semple. Their extensive land holdings, Castle Semple, constituted some areas of Lochwinnoch and its hinterland. At some point, probably in the 15th century, the family built a tower keep at the east end of the north shore of the Loch.

The Western-most of the Crosby Hills, Ayrshire. The hill is broad, open and grassy, rising to a height of 263 metres above the Firth of Clyde, to which it borders.

Cracking wide and open gravel tracks through the wind turbines. Endless fun going up and down as the mills hum above your head.

Who can ride past a bunch of highland coos and not stop to say hello? Lovely views on all sides as well, so it's a great place to stop.

One of the few wetlands left in the west of Scotland, Lochwinnoch is the perfect place to watch whooper swans, wigeon and many others. There's a great visitors centre and loads of walking trails too.

Once you are off road head left through the woods, rough road will pop you out neat the bottom of haylie brae.

Gravel track through the wind farms. Undulating with a bit more uphill than down , but stunning scenery. When you get to the top of the hill there is an unmarked path to follow to the next wind turbine to pick up the gravel again. This is rideable in all but the worst weather conditions.