If you’re looking for the best family-friendly Ayrshire walks, Lynn Glen in Dalry, is an ideal spot. This circular walk explores the Ayrshire countryside, a beautiful wooded glen and stunning Lynn Falls (also known as Lynn Spout). This beautiful area also has lots of local history and geological interest. There are little fairy doors to spot as well as carved wooden sculptures dotted about – it’s the perfect spot for a family walk, and dog walk!
Things To Note:
After rain the paths can get very muddy. A small section of the route goes past a farmer field, and a sign asks you to keep dogs on a lead at this point.
Lynn Falls is in a gorge so please stay on the footpath especially with young children.
This walk is close to Dalry and you can walk there for refreshments.
About Lynn Glen and Lynn Spout
Lynn Spout water fall sits in a steep wooded gorge called Lynn Glen which has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of it’s unique and interesting rocks. Millions of years ago this area was once located on the equator and covered in rainforest. Over time, the subsequent layer of rock that formed contains corals, sponges and other interesting fauna. Over the years, volunteers have cleared areas of rock that have been taken over by vegetation and covered these exposures, so they can be seen again. More information can be read on the information boards along the route.
Mills
This area around Lynn Glen was once the site of several flax and corn mills which have taken advantage of the Caaf Water’s waterfalls and cascades. Some of the mills foundations and walls can still be seen today. There is an information board along the route with more details.
How to get to Lynn Glen
BY CAR:
From the South (Irvine/Ardrossan) head from A78 onto B714 towards Dalry and the car park is on the left, after the traffic lights on Lynn Bridge.
From the North, follow sat nav KA24 4JT but don’t turn right into Trinity Drive, take the next right, a small track by Lynn Bridge and park in the car park.
BY BUS:
Buses run daily between Ardrossan and Glasgow via Dalry. It’s a short walk (12 – 15 minutes) to the start of the walk at Lynn Bridge.
BY TRAIN:
Dalry railway station is a 18 – 20 minute walk to the start of the walk at Lynn Bridge.
Where do you park for Lynn Falls?
Parking is in a small car park next to Lynn Bridge just off the B714. There is room for about 15 cars and is FREE to park here.
Lynn Falls Circular Walk Directions
🥾 Exit the car park and turn right, back onto the main road, and right again to cross Caaf Water by the Lynn Bridge. Follow the sign for Lynn Glen Trail. The pavement is narrow here so keep dogs on a short lead.
🥾 Turn right after the bridge through a gate and onto a gravel footpath. Follow the path, ignoring a path off to the left, and continue on through a gate into the woodland.
Keep a look out for carved wooden toadstools and fairy doors from here.
🥾Follow the path alongside the Caaf Water (a tributary of the River Garnock) and you’ll see an information board with details of the geology of Lynn Glen. Here, you’ll see the area of exposed rock with lots of different layers that have been formed over millions of years when the area was covered by tropical sea.
🥾 Continue along the path where you’ll hear the sound of the waterfall known as Lynn Spout. You may catch a glimpse of it through the trees depending on the time of year. If you want to get close to the waterfall you’ll need to go carefully off the main path and scramble down. This will be tricky with very young children and the path can be slippery so you’ll have to decide whether it’s worth it or not.
🥾 Otherwise, continue along the path where you’ll see the remains of Craig Mill which was once associated with Kilwinning Abbey and is now overgrown.
Keep an eye out for more wooden sculptures up in the trees and on the ground.
Follow the path up a set of steps, through a gate and continue alongside the river. Cross a wooden footbridge and walk down to a bench, before reaching another wooden bridge. Stop here to play Pooh sticks.
🥾 Cross the footbridge to Pinnioch Point (or Peden’s Pulpit) – a massive sandstone outcrop on your right hand side overlooking the Caaf Burn.
The information board, gives a brief history of the rock. It is believed that in the 17th Century the Covenanting preacher, Alexander Peden, used the rock as a pulpit to give secret sermons to Covenanters during the reign of Charles II.
🥾 Continue on the main path, up a flight of steps and follow the path round to the right. Follow the path down a flight of steps and past wooden carvings.
🥾 If you want a view of the waterfall from this side of the gorge, follow a well trodden path on your right hand side. This path descends for a short way (but becomes very slippery after rain).
Remember to keep an eye out for little wooden creatures!
🥾 Continuing along the path, you’ll see a sign warning of livestock in the nearby field and asking for dogs to be put on a lead. Walk down to a wooden gate, along the path to a lane with cottages. Walk down the lane and turn right, through another wooden gate, into a field with a couple of picnic benches. This is Lynn Glen Picnic Area and the perfect spot for lunch!
The car park is through another wooden gate at the bottom of the field.
Can you swim in Lynn Falls?
You can swim in Lynn Falls but like any wild swim spots, there’s always an element of risk. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code legally allows us the ‘right to roam’ – and swim – without restrictions, as long as we do so responsibly and is safe to do so.
Things To Do Near Lynn Falls
- Head to the beach at Seamill
- Explore Eglinton Country Park in Kilwinning
- Visit Kelburn Castle and Estate
- Catch the ferry from Ardrossan over to Arran for the day
- A day out at Heads of Ayr Farm Park
Somerset Family Adventures is a free online resource. If you enjoyed this walk, you can say thanks and show your support by buying me a coffee. Thanks so much! You can also sign up to our newsletter to be the first to hear of our new walks and days out.
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