Stewarton: Viaduct, History and Trails

Stewarton combines a striking railway viaduct with its own craft and church history, as well as trails through woodland and parks. These different facets of the town can help guide your hotel stay planning: you can focus on historic buildings, museum collections or outdoor trails.

Buildings and History in Stewarton

The Annick Water Viaduct is a ten-arched railway viaduct over the Annick Water, southwest of Stewarton. A defining landmark, it is one of the town’s most prominent structures. The Bonnet Guild of Corshill offers insight into local craft history: when it was founded in Stewarton, 57 bonnet makers were involved; by 1868, their number had fallen to 18.

The present church building of St. Columba’s was erected in 1696 on the site of an older chapel or church. Stewarton’s church tradition also holds that the church was transferred to Kilwinning Abbey by Hugh de Morville or another member of his family. The uncertainty about who made the transfer remains part of this tradition.

Ravenscraig Castle stands on Dunlop Road above the Clerkland Burn. Lainshaw House is an important part of the architectural history of the Stewarton area. Both places add different architectural and heritage connections to the picture of the town. The museum in Stewarton is housed in ground-floor rooms at the Stewarton Area Centre. Its collections include military medals, personal items belonging to soldiers, sailors and airmen, as well as photographs. They also include the diary of a soldier who served in Egypt.

The Stewarton Bonnet Guild organises a week-long programme of games and entertainment. Individual events and dates may vary. Check the dates before planning your trip if you want to attend a particular event.

Trails Through Woodland, Parks and Along the Water

Lainshaw Woods has a nature trail marked by several information boards. From Stewarton Cross, the main entrance on David Dale Avenue is about a seven-minute walk.

The Annick Water Route runs from Dean Street in northeast Stewarton to Lainshaw Street in the southwest. As far as Kirkford Bridge, it follows a paved asphalt path. After that, it follows a historic right of way as a worn path through grassland.

An alternative route runs north through Cunningham Watt Park. It follows the north bank of the Corsehill Water through well-kept park gardens and then along narrow gravel paths. The route through the Lainshaw Estate, meanwhile, follows the Annick Water, passes south of Lainshaw House through deciduous woodland, and can be continued into Stewarton town centre. Trail surfaces may change; check conditions before setting out.

For a bike ride, the Stewarton Academy Cycle Route is another option: it starts at Kirkford, connects with the Annick Water Route and forms part of the circular route around Stewarton. The routes differ in their course: the Annick Water Route changes from asphalt to grassland, the northern route runs through park gardens, and the Stewarton Academy Cycle Route is part of the circular route.

Travel Planning

First ScotRail currently operates a park-and-ride service at Stewarton railway station.

Discover more destinations: Colmonell, West Kilbride, Largs, Galston, Dunlop, Isle of Arran, Symington, Girvan

See the wider travel guide: Ayrshire.