South Ayrshire is a sunny coastal county on the Firth of Clyde, with long beaches, castles and the farmland that inspired Robert Burns. The Ayrshire Coastal Path runs for around 100 miles along the shore, and much of the county’s walking follows it.

Ayr and Alloway. Ayr has a long sandy beach and a harbour, and Alloway, just south of the town, is the birthplace of Burns, with riverside paths nearby.

Culzean and the coast. Culzean Castle and Country Park, run by the National Trust for Scotland, has clifftop paths, woodland and a beach, and the coast road continues to Turnberry and the harbour town of Girvan, with views of Ailsa Craig.

Inland. The southern hills lead towards Galloway, with forest roads and quiet glens.

Coastal paths can be exposed and tidal in places, so check tide times for any beach sections.