AYRSHIRE Coastal Path, which has been developed and maintained by Ayr Rotary, celebrates its 10th anniversary next year.

In the last 12 months the group have been reconstructing the path at Smuggler’s Brae which follows the route south of Dunure, along the beach and towards Ayr.

The Ayrshire Coastal Path runs from Glenapp, in South Carrick to Skelmorlie, in North Ayrshire.

Jimmy Begg, who manages the project, explained: “I have lived in Ayr all my days and have gone to the Ayrshire coast for walks. I was asked to start up this project for the rotary, 10 years ago, and it just grew and grew.

“I set it up on my own with small financial help. Even 10 years ago the council was running out of money. By the time we had the first grant in 2006, we had finished the first part of the project within 18 months.

“We were asked how we were going to maintain it. We thought the council would run it but they had no money so we did it by ourselves and built the path for £85,000.

“At the beginning we only had 12 Rotarians volunteering on the project but now we have 37 and we are hoping to get some more.”

Ayr Rotary have used wood chips to create the path surface to make it more comfortable for non experienced walkers to venture out on. The next project is at Fisherton Farm.

Jimmy continued: “We are going to replace 70 steps at Fisherton Farm and increase it to more than 100 right up to the top. Most of them will be replaced or and resurfaced.

“I am very pleased with how the path is progressing. Any more volunteers would be welcome.”

For more information or to check out their achievements visit http://ayrshirecoastalpath.org/