Maybole: History, Art and Trails

Maybole combines distinctive architectural history with trails to named hilltop destinations and an outdoor art trail. For planning your trip, it is useful to distinguish between the different themes: the Collegiate Church and Maybole Castle each have their own history, while the trails offer their own scenic highlights. There are also services for environmentally friendly transport at the Carrick Centre.

Collegiate Church and Maybole Castle

Maybole Collegiate Church is the ruin of the collegiate chapel of St Mary, which was built alongside a medieval parish church. Sir John Kennedy of Dunure founded the chapel in 1371. In 1382, a college of priests was established at Maybole Collegiate Church to pray for Sir John Kennedy, his family and his ancestors. The chronology distinguishes two events: the college was established eleven years after the chapel was founded.

Maybole Castle was built by the Kennedy family, the Earls of Cassilis, as a townhouse and dates from around 1560. It is a four-storey, L-shaped tower house with an attic. The L-shape describes its floor plan; the four storeys and attic describe its vertical layout. While the Collegiate Church is defined by its founding and the college of priests, the Castle can be understood through its function as a townhouse and its architectural form.

Walking trails and landmarks

The Maybole Trails start at the Town Green at Greenside, opposite Maybole railway station. The station therefore serves as a landmark for the starting point. When planning a walk, you can remember the starting point as the Town Green at Greenside.

One walking trail leads to the summit of Kildoon Hill. There, an obelisk serves as a memorial to Sir Charles Fergusson of Kilkerran. A walking trail reaches the trig point on the summit of Craigfin Hill. The two hilltop destinations have different landmarks: on Kildoon Hill, it is a memorial; on Craigfin Hill, a trig point. This gives you a practical way to choose between the destinations based on their respective features.

A walking trail near Maybole offers views of Crossraguel Abbey, with Maybole in the background. The route from Maybole to the hills on the Ayrshire coast climbs steadily. A route from Maybole offers views of Arran and beyond. Depending on whether you are interested in a climb, a named hilltop destination or a viewpoint, this information provides different points of reference for planning your walks.

Art trail and facilities at the Carrick Centre

Bruce’s Web Interactive Art & Augmented Reality Trail is an outdoor art trail with a companion smartphone app. The trail also includes “Mercat Cross Pillar – Lion of Carrick”. If you plan to visit the trail, check the app’s availability before your trip.

The Carrick Centre is a hub for environmentally friendly transport. It offers electric vehicle charging points as well as e-bike hire. The centre also has a café and a soft play area. If you plan to use a charging point or hire an e-bike, check availability before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Lamlash, Symington, Maidens, Dalmellington, Millport, Dundonald, Beith, Stevenston

For the broader travel overview: Ayrshire.