River Garnock

About a mile and a half south of this starting point the untested stream tumbles over the Spout of Garnock, the highest waterfall in Ayrshire, once thought to be the river's origin.

The majority of the estuary has been designated a SSSI, in recognition of its national importance for three bird species eider, red-breasted merganser and goldeneye).

It reaches its confluence with the Garnock at Putyan Cottage and the Lynn Holm, near the road junction for Ardrossan at the Kilwinning end of the town.

The Bombo Burn is a small stream, only about 5 miles (8.0 km) in length, that runs across the north side of Bankhead Moss, a Special Area of Conservation[17] and joins the Garnock soon after passing through the Blair Estate: The delightfully landscaped grounds and gardens of the Estate contain a wonderful mixture of species trees and shrubs from all over the world.

The ancient yew tree recorded in the Domesday Book leans over the banks of the Bombo Burn presiding on the changes over the centuries.

[18]The Dusk Water is a stream that has its beginnings on Cuff Hill, near Beith, and runs through Barrmill to eventually join the Garnock upstream of Dalgarven.

Interesting places along its course, as well as several old watermills, are Giffin House, a large and handsome mansion-house, and Cleeves Cove, a system of caves in the Dusk Glen.

The miners had been safely brought to the surface and were able to witness the sight of the river standing dry for nearly a mile downstream, with fish jumping about in all directions.

In some places rents and cavities appeared measuring four or five feet in diameter, and from these came a roaring sound described as being like steam escaping from a safety valve.

For about five hours great volumes of water and sand were thrown up into the air like fountains and the mining villages of Bartonholm, Snodgrass, Longford and Nethermains were flooded.

[22] A legend tells of Saint Winning sending his monks to fish in the Garnock, however no matter how hard they tried or how long they persevered they could catch nothing.

The river upstream from Glen Garnock.
The ravine of Glen Garnock, and Glengarnock Castle.
The Garnock Estuary with Irvine Harbour.
Dalgarven Bridge
leading to the Mill
Kilwinning Viaduct
Ardeer Factory
the disused jetty
The islet in the Garnock at Kilwinning, just upstream of the bridge and shown as part of the old Bleaching Green on the 1896 OS map.
Powgree Burn
near Geilsland from Broadstone Bridge.
The Rye Water and ford in Dalry.
The weir or dam on the Putyan Burn.
Lynn Glen
The Dusk Water at Hessilhead Town Farm running down towards the old saw mill.
Coldstream Mill
The confluence of the Lugton Water and the River Garnock.
The old Bridgend Mill weir, once the possession of Kilwinning Abbey