Walking through the past

Bright but still very breezy today. Thanks to the recent weather, we hadn't had a decent walk for over a week. There are many options to choose from close by, but we settled on the 400 hectare Eglinton Country Park, just a short drive away. Snow was clearly visible on Arran and the hills above Ardrossan, but Irvine and Kilwinning had escaped the last few days' snowfalls.

It proved to be a good choice - not too busy and sheltered walking through the woodland areas, a bit exposed on Cairnmount Hill with its 'Neolithic' standing stones (erected in the 1980s, we think) and the stretch of open country, but almost balmy on the approach to the fishing loch. After a brisk hour and a half, it was time to warm up with soup and a sandwich at the Tournament Cafe.

The park is a great local amenity that offers something for everyone and the activities for kids make it particularly popular with families. It has a fascinating history, which you can check out on the North Ayrshire Council website and we do like these stones!