The best road cycling routes around Stevenston

easy and not too busy

Good coffee and cakes

Magnus the Viking was gifted to the people of Largs by North Ayrshire Council in 2013 to commemorate the 750th anniversary of the historic Battle of Largs. The Vikings were defeated in the Battle of Largs in 1263, their last raid on Scottish soil. Under the Treaty of Perth, Magnus King of Norway surrendered the Western Isles and the Isle of Man to the Scottish Crown in 1266. (information taken from the sign nearby the statue)

The harbours serving Irvine at Seagatefoot and Fullarton in North Ayrshire have had a long and complex history. Irvine's harbour was one of the most important ports in Scotland in the 16th century. Across from the main harbour at Fullarton on the River Irvine there was also terminal for the ICI-Nobel Explosives plant on the River Garnock. Much of the harbour went into decline in the 19th century when Glasgow, Greenock and Port Glasgow achieved higher prominence as sea ports. There was still some commercial sea traffic linked to local needs, though the harbour went into further terminal decline in the 20th century. The weir on the River Irvine forms the formal upper limit of the harbour. Formerly owned by ICI, Irvine Harbour is now the property of NPL Estates Irvine Harbour is now officially closed as a commercial port. Until recently NPL provided a slipway for dinghies, as well as moorings and berths for pleasure craft. However, silting has taken place and the Scottish Maritime Museum's berths are not for public use.

Cumbrae is easily accessed via regular ferries from Largs. It has one very flat road following it’s coast approx 10 miles and another road climbing to the Glaid Trig point and great views to Ben Lomond and the Cobbler.

Shewalton Pond also known as Bookers Pond is a spot where you’ll find many cold water swimmers, paddle boarders etc

The Putyan Burn forms from a number of small burns, etc., such as the Baidland Burn from Baidland Hill and springs at Baidland Mill. It reaches its confluence with the Garnock at Putyan Cottage and the Lynn Holm, near the road junction for Ardrossan at the Kilwinning end of the town. It passes Broadlie House where a small weir or dam still exists as part of an abandoned 1892 hydroelectric scheme which provided the house with its own electricity.

Horse Isle is a nature reserve, run by the RSPB. The Arran ferry passes close to the island. Two smaller islands, North Islet and East Islet, skirt the east coast of Horse Isle and a number of other rocks litter the sound between the island and the mainland. A 52 foot tall stone beacon stands at the south end of Horse Isle marking the island for shipping. Erected in 1811, it was intended to alleviate some of the hazards the island's position has, historically, posed to passing vessels. This is reflected in the fact that in excess of 17 ships have been wrecked on or near the island. Today, Horse Isle is a nature reserve, run by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). It is designated as an Area of Special Protection (AoSP) for breeding seabirds and waterfowl and winter grounds, with the aim of preventing disturbance or destruction of birds.