Doon Valley Leisure Centre's pool will be closed for essential maintenance. Works are expected to be completed in approx 3 weeks and should re-open mid June. Apologies for any inconvenience. We will post updates on re-opening as soon as more information is available. Fitness classes, gym and sports halls remain operational as normal.
Irvine Valley Trails
The Irvine Valley has a long history of providing its communities with the opportunity to explore the countryside. With around 120 miles (200km) of trails throughout the valley, there is a mix of historic Rights of Way, more recently built paths, a network of core paths, and some paths that you will only hear about with local knowledge!
The Irvine Valley Trails let people get out into the countryside to enjoy the beautiful views of the valley. It is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise of trails and quiet country roads that anyone can enjoy on foot, bike or horseback. With the River Irvine running through the spine of the valley, and its high open moorlands, pockets of beautiful native woodland, and rolling hills, the valley is also home to a whole host of flora and fauna for the visitor to enjoy.
The trails link up the communities of Hurlford in the west, through Galston and Newmilns, to Darvel and Loudoun Hill in the east. They also give people access to Whitelee Wind Farm in the north, the River Ayr Way in the south, Kilmarnock in the west, and Strathaven with its surrounding settlements in the east.
IRVINE VALLEY WALKING FESTIVAL
The people who call 'the valley' home are proud of where they come from and take pride in their walking heritage. So much so there is even an annual walking festival! The festival has been running every year since 2002 and attracts over 600 walkers to take part in a programme of led walks for all abilities. It’s a great opportunity to explore the area and get to know its history better with the locals who know it best.
IRVINE VALLEY TRAILS PROJECT
In 2012, the Irvine Valley Regeneration Partnership in conjunction with East Ayrshire Council and Ayrshire Leader commissioned Ironside Farrar Environmental Consultants to do a study of the path network. The study produced the Irvine Valley Path Network Route Assessment (Priorities, Standards and Proposals) which has been used to drive the Irvine Valley Trails Project.
Click here to read the latest on the project
Since April 2016, the Irvine Valley Trails Project has:
Carried out a successful consultation in which the public, key stake holders and landowners commented on the proposals put forward in the Irvine Valley Path Network Route Assessment document.
Surveyed routes and estimated remedial and construction costs for development work.
Mapped all existing routes.
Liaised with landowners and key stakeholders to take the proposals forward and decide a schedule of work.
Considered additional routes that have been identified since the original study and added maps to the database.
Worked closely with Ayrshire Roads Alliance to develop any potential cycle ways in the valley.
Considered what the Irvine Valley Trails brand identity might be.
If you have any comments or queries regarding the Irvine Valley Trails Project please email info@eastayrshireleisure.com
