In the 1930's, prior to World War II, Stewarton was a quiet country town where the motor car was a lot less conspicuous than it is today.

Walking was therefore a necessity but also a very enjoyable pastime. I can remember, as a young Bby Scout, going to a church parade held in the Fenwick Church. As a Troop we marched to Fenwick, took part in the parade, and marched back home.

We were lucky in Stewarton because we had a great variety of walks to go so it was never boring. Mind you when we were children we HAD to go walking with our parents on a Sunday afternoon. As we grew older going walking was a good way for the boys to meet the girls and vice versa. We had a choice of short or long walks depending on time available or age.

For short walks we had:
1 Up the Corsehill. Starting at the Bean Mill, now the entrance to Cunningham-Watt Park. The entrance was at the foot of Bowes Rigg where the mill lade run to turn the mill waterwheel. You could join this walk at the top of Gilmour Street; the end of Corsehillbank Street; under the railway bridge at Cocklebie Farm or further up the Dunlop Road and in past the remains of Ravenscraig Castle and under the railway bridge. The walk proceeded up the Corsehill Burn past the old quarry and cut to the right over to the Bowes Rigg road and back into Stewarton. A slight addition was to carry on to Clerkland Farm and back into Stewarton by the Dunlop Road.

2 Up the Jubilee. Starting at Springwell Bridge walking up the Nether Robertland Road past the Farm and, following the course of the River Annick, up to the road to Osliebrae Farm, turn left up on to the Old Glasgow Road and back into Stewarton. If, when in the Jubilee Park, you turned right and up the hill you crossed the Whinnie Knowes or Sky Tree Hills to the Cutstraw Road then right again back into Stewarton.

3 Round the Meadow. (Roon' the Meeda') Going out the Kilmarnock road to Wardhead, turning left over on to the Old Kilmarnock Road then left back into Stewarton.

4 Round the quarry. Up the Dairy Road, then cutting right across the fields, (always closing the gates), to the water planting then bearing right past the old Quarry to the Dunlop
road back to Stewarton

There were also longer walks:-

1 Round Chapelton. Either starting out the Kilwinning Road and back in the Irvine Road or the opposite way round.

2 Round Kennox. Going out the Kilwinning Road, turning right at Crossgates farm and on to the Dairy Road, again turning right and back into Stewarton. This walk could be shortened by cutting over Irvine Hill.

3 Round Floors. Travelling out the Irvine Road, turn left over on to the Kilmarnock Road, turn left again and into Stewarton. In those days there was a walkway on one side of the road between Stewarton and Kilmaurs.

4 Round the Buistons. Using the Kilmarnock Road, turning left over on to the Old Kilmarnock Road and turning left for home. Walks 1, 3 & 4 could be added together for a really long walk.

5 Round the water meeting. Again using the Kilwinning Road and turning left at Kennox House over on to the Irvine Road and turning left again back in to Stewarton.

6 Round the Points House. Travelling out the Dairy road turning right at Kilbride House (Shanter Saddlery) past Gouknest farm and on to the Dunlop Road, turn right again back in to Stewarton.

7 Round the Brechna Braes. Again using the Dairy Road take the right hand turn at Townend of Kirkwood and on in to Dunlop at the Dunlop Kirk, turn right up in to the village and turn right at the main road and head back to Stewarton.

8 Round "Tattie Ha'" Taking the Dunlop Road, turn right at the Neilston Road junction follow on past the entrance to Dunlop House. Turn right at Tattie Ha', Howies of Dunlop Grain Mill, and on to the Old Glasgow Road, turn right at Fulshaw Smithy and back in to Stewarton.

Although today the car and the TV. have largely taken over our lives walking is still good for our health. The walks mentioned are still there today although in places they require a little more care.

Why not try them? I am sure that you will enjoy the experience.