Once something of a regular feature on the route of the Tour of Britain cycle race, Strathaven offers excellent cycling on gently undulating roads that lead to and from the busy market town.
Not far from Strathaven is Whitelee Wind Farm, where there are off-road tracks for cross country and mountain bikers. This is a great location for families to enjoy cycling and walking.
One of the many lords of Strathaven Castle punished his wife by having her bricked up alive inside a purpose-built niche. It’s said that human remains were found when part of the castle walls collapsed in more recent times. The castle is now in ruins.
A volcanic plug located just inside the Ayrshire border, Loudoun Hill is the site of a famous victory by Robert the Bruce over the English in 1307. A walk to the top offers an excellent viewpoint.
In 1679 “Bloody ClaverHouse/Bonnie Dundee” was patrolling with his dragoons when he encountered a group of covenanters. It was a victory for the covenanters and Bloody ClaverHouse only just managed to escape with his life having been knocked from his horse.
Leave the Common Green by Bridge Street in Strathaven.
Follow Bridge Street to a roundabout at Strathaven Castle.
Turn right and then turn left into Todshill Street.
Turn left at the next junction and then take the first right into Newtown Road. At a fork in road go right and follow road out to a T-junction with B743.
Turn left and cross a bridge over the River Avon. Beyond the bridge, take the first right.
Following the road, keep right. At Westlinbank Farm ignore the right for Gilmourton and continue straight. Head downhill to the junction and go in the direction of Kilmarnock, B745.
After a short distance, at crossroads, turn right and follow the road into Drumclog. At the A71 at Drumclog Memorial Kirk, cross straight over on to Meadowfoot Road.
At Moss Side go to the right. After 500 yards turn left. (It’s straight on and downhill past Stobieside for the Battle of Drumclog site).
At the next T-junction, turn right and follow a long, straight road downhill.
Once over stone bridge, go to the right and continue parallel with the Calder Water
