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Home> Walks> Scotland> South Ayrshire> Up the Howe of Laggan

Up the Howe of Laggan

Recommended by
Our view
"The story of a young shepherd’s selfless sacrifice"
Walk directions

From the car park head downhill and turn left at the T-junction. Head uphill and pass Changue house on the right. Just after that on the left is Spring Cottage, a renovated building that used to be a shepherd’s dwelling. This was where Kirstie and his family lived.

Continue on the forest road through a gate, uphill on a forest road for about 100yds (91m), then fork left and downhill alongside the Water of Gregg, following the signs for Kirstie’s Trail. Continue alongside the Water of Gregg following yellow, blue and red waymarkers.
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Location
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain  - Forest roads
  Landscape  - Hill and forest
  Dog friendliness  - Sheep everywhere, essential that dogs are kept on leads
  Parking  - Barr Hill Walks car park
  Toilets en route  - Barr village
Walks in South Ayrshire
About the walk
The McTaggart family lived in a shepherd’s cottage, near the start of this walk, just before World War I. The father and his sons were all noted shepherds in the area. Early in the morning of 11 January 1913 there was a blizzard raging when Christopher, known as Kirstie, McTaggart woke up. He...
Read more
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About the area
With a mixture of wide sandy beaches, cliffs and rocky coves, the Ayrshire coastline looks out towards the Isles of Arran and Bute and enjoys a fine, mild climate fanned by the warm currents of the Gulf stream. Like so many parts of Scotland, Ayrshire is excellent for walking and the area is renowned for its superb championship golf courses, as well as boasting a wealth of historic landmarks to seek out, including lots of castles and ancient strongholds.
Explore South Ayrshire
Area image

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Caravan & Camping
Barrhill Holiday Park
★★★★
award
"Luxury pods and great views from terraced pitches...."
  • Launderette
  • Picnic Area
  • Wifi available
  • Battery Charging
Hotel
Trump Turnberry
★★★★★
awardawardawardawardaward
"Expect stunning views over the golf courses and out to sea...."
  • En-suite rooms:
  • Family rooms:
Hotel
Glenapp Castle
★★★★★
awardawardaward
"Professional and attentive service really enhances the overall stay...."
  • Family rooms: 8
  • Free TV
  • WiFi available
  • Lift available
Nearby places to stay
Barrhill Holiday Park
A small, friendly park in a tranquil rural location, screened from the A714 by trees. The park is terraced and well landscaped, and the high-quality amenity block includes disabled faci...
★★★★    Rating
Trump Turnberry
Trump Turnberry enjoys an elevated location looking down over the championship golf courses and out to sea. This is a grand dame hotel which continues to showcase quality and luxury in ...
★★★★★    Rating
Glenapp Castle
A truly hidden treasure, Glenapp Castle is an enchanting hotel where you will feel 'at home' whether you're travelling on your own or with a party of friends. This luxury hotel provides...
★★★★★    Rating
Marine Troon
The Marine Troon was built in 1894 and has been welcoming guests ever since. The hotel enjoys an enviable location overlooking Royal Troon golf course, out to sea and across to Arran. T...
Quality Assessed
Clachan Inn
The Clachan Inn enjoys a wonderful location in St Johns Town of Dalry, half way along the Southern Upland Way and on the edge of the Galloway Forest Park. This small cosy inn offers a w...
★★★    Rating
Piersland House
Piersland House is a delightful, historic hotel enjoys a prime location in its own grounds in the heart of the golfing centre that is Troon. Extensive public areas include conference an...
★★★★    Rating
Seal Shore Camping and Touring Site
On the south coast of Arran and only 12 miles from the ferry at Brodick, Seal Shore Camping and Touring Site is a peaceful, family-run site with direct access to a sandy beach. There ar...
★★★★    Rating
Ryan Bay Caravan Park
Ryan Bay Holiday Park occupies an enviable position on the shores of Ryan Bay, within easy reach of Stranraer and the ferry terminal at Cairnryan for a day trip to Northern Ireland. It ...
★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
1906
   AA Rosette Award
Glenapp Castle Restaurant
   AA Rosette Award
The Rabbit
   AA Rosette Award
Clachan Inn
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
1906
   AA Rosette Award
Glenapp Castle Restaurant
   AA Rosette Award
The Rabbit
   AA Rosette Award
Clachan Inn
   AA Rosette Award
Walkers Lounge
   AA Rosette Award
Knockinaam Lodge
   AA Rosette Award
The Kirkmichael Arms
Awaiting inspection
View all
Route details
4hrs
Difficulty:
Easy

Gradient:
Challenging


Distance:
8 miles (12.9kms)

Ascent:
676ft (206m)

Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby  
Discover more walks in South Ayrshire
If you like this walk, you can try more routes in the area.
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Up the Howe of Laggan

Recommended by
Our view
"The story of a young shepherd’s selfless sacrifice"
Walk details
4hrs
Difficulty:
Easy
Gradient:
Challenging
Distance:
8 miles (12.9kms)
Ascent:
676ft (206m)
Walk directions

From the car park head downhill and turn left at the T-junction. Head uphill and pass Changue house on the right. Just after that on the left is Spring Cottage, a renovated building that used to be a shepherd’s dwelling. This was where Kirstie and his family lived.
1 of 7

Continue on the forest road through a gate, uphill on a forest road for about 100yds (91m), then fork left and downhill alongside the Water of Gregg, following the signs for Kirstie’s Trail. Continue alongside the Water of Gregg following yellow, blue and red waymarkers.
2 of 7

Go along the forest road to a bridge over the Water of Gregg and continue on the other side of the river. When the path divides near a bridge, go right and follow the sign pointing towards Kirstie’s Trail. You are now approaching the Howe of Laggan.
3 of 7

At the next junction turn right and then immediately right again onto a footpath. Cross a bridge and go through a small gate to enter the enclosure at Kirstie’s Cairn. There is a picnic table, which makes this the ideal spot for a pit stop. Return via the footbridge and path and forest road to the original forest road and turn right.
4 of 7

Follow the yellow waymarkers as the road climbs for a fair distance with great views along the Howe of Laggan. Once at the top you should be able to see the pass of the Nick of the Balloch in the distance.
5 of 7

When the road forks, keep left and uphill. Follow green cycle route waymarkers, which are frequent on this section. At the next junction keep right and continue uphill. Eventually reach the top of the hill and continue on the road down the other side with occasional yellow waymarkers.
6 of 7

Eventually reach another junction with red waymarkers to the left. Follow yellow waymarkers to the right to a forestry gate. Through the gate descend on the road back to the car park.
7 of 7
Location
Starting point
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain - Forest roads
  Landscape - Hill and forest
  Dog friendliness - Sheep everywhere, essential that dogs are kept on leads
  Parking - Barr Hill Walks car park
  Toilets en route - Barr village
Walks in South Ayrshire
About the walk
The McTaggart family lived in a shepherd’s cottage, near the start of this walk, just before World War I. The father and his sons were all noted shepherds in the area. Early in the morning of 11 January 1913 there was a blizzard raging when Christopher, known as Kirstie, McTaggart woke up. He...
Read more
Been on this walk placeholder

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more
Walking in Safety placeholder

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more
Get an AA guide placeholder

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more
About the area
Area image
South Ayrshire
With a mixture of wide sandy beaches, cliffs and rocky coves, the Ayrshire coastline looks out towards the Isles of Arran and Bute and enjoys a fine, mild climate fanned by the warm currents of the Gulf stream. Like so many parts of Scotland, Ayrshire is excellent for walking and the area is renowned for its superb championship golf courses, as well as boasting a wealth of historic landmarks to seek out, including lots of castles and ancient strongholds.
Explore South Ayrshire

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Caravan & Camping
Barrhill Holiday Park
★★★★
award
"Luxury pods and great views from terraced pitches...."
  • Launderette
  • Picnic Area
  • Wifi available
  • Battery Charging
Hotel
Trump Turnberry
★★★★★
awardawardawardawardaward
"Expect stunning views over the golf courses and out to sea...."
  • En-suite rooms:
  • Family rooms:
Hotel
Glenapp Castle
★★★★★
awardawardaward
"Professional and attentive service really enhances the overall stay...."
  • Family rooms: 8
  • Free TV
  • WiFi available
  • Lift available
Nearby places to stay
Barrhill Holiday Park
A small, friendly park in a tranquil rural location, screened from the A714 by trees. The park is terraced and well landscaped, and the high-quality amenity block includes disabled faci...
★★★★    Rating
Trump Turnberry
Trump Turnberry enjoys an elevated location looking down over the championship golf courses and out to sea. This is a grand dame hotel which continues to showcase quality and luxury in ...
★★★★★    Rating
Glenapp Castle
A truly hidden treasure, Glenapp Castle is an enchanting hotel where you will feel 'at home' whether you're travelling on your own or with a party of friends. This luxury hotel provides...
★★★★★    Rating
Marine Troon
The Marine Troon was built in 1894 and has been welcoming guests ever since. The hotel enjoys an enviable location overlooking Royal Troon golf course, out to sea and across to Arran. T...
Quality Assessed
Clachan Inn
The Clachan Inn enjoys a wonderful location in St Johns Town of Dalry, half way along the Southern Upland Way and on the edge of the Galloway Forest Park. This small cosy inn offers a w...
★★★    Rating
Piersland House
Piersland House is a delightful, historic hotel enjoys a prime location in its own grounds in the heart of the golfing centre that is Troon. Extensive public areas include conference an...
★★★★    Rating
Seal Shore Camping and Touring Site
On the south coast of Arran and only 12 miles from the ferry at Brodick, Seal Shore Camping and Touring Site is a peaceful, family-run site with direct access to a sandy beach. There ar...
★★★★    Rating
Ryan Bay Caravan Park
Ryan Bay Holiday Park occupies an enviable position on the shores of Ryan Bay, within easy reach of Stranraer and the ferry terminal at Cairnryan for a day trip to Northern Ireland. It ...
★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
1906
   AA Rosette Award
Glenapp Castle Restaurant
   AA Rosette Award
The Rabbit
   AA Rosette Award
Clachan Inn
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
1906
   AA Rosette Award
Glenapp Castle Restaurant
   AA Rosette Award
The Rabbit
   AA Rosette Award
Clachan Inn
   AA Rosette Award
Walkers Lounge
   AA Rosette Award
Knockinaam Lodge
   AA Rosette Award
The Kirkmichael Arms
Awaiting inspection
View all
Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby