Cycle route visits two important battle site

Apr 17 2008 By Paul Lamarra

LOOPING around the distinctive Ayrshire landmark of Loudoun Hill this is an entertaining route that visits two important battle sites and follows a gently undulating road that bumps alongside the Avon.

Leave Strathaven’s Common Green by Bridge Street (top left of the green) and go to the T-junction opposite the castle. Turn right and then left at the Castle Tavern.

Follow Todshill Street to the T-junction and then turn left onto Lesmahagow Road. After a short distance turn right at the fire station onto Newtown Road and follow it out of Strathaven to the junction with the B743.

Turn left and cross the bridge over the river Avon. Take the next unsigned right turn and follow this road ignoring all side roads.

Eventually you come to an awkward junction. Turn right signed Kilmarnock B745 and cross the narrow bridge and then go straight on which effectively means you have left the B745 for a minor road.

The toad descends to a T-junction. Turn left onto the A71 (take care on the 100-yard dash along the A71). Take the next right off the A71.

This site, in the shadow of Loudoun Hill, is where Robert the Bruce won an important and morale-boosting victory over the English troops under the command of Aymer de Valence. It was Bruce’s second victory since returning from exile on Rathlin Island.

Continue to Mosside, and just beyond the route continues by turning left. However, continue straight on, for a short distance, to visit the site of the battle of Drumclog.

The large obelisk commemorates what was arguably the Covenanters finest hour at the battle of Drumclog in June 1679.

John Claverhouse, also known as Bloody Claverhouse and Bonnie Dundee, was patrolling for illegal prayer meetings with 150 dragoons. The night before the battle they stayed at Strathaven Castle and, aware of their presence, the Covenanters planned to hold a conspicuous prayer meeting to provoke a fight with Claverhouse.

They deliberately chose soft ground and when the attack came the horses foundered. Thirty dragoons were killed and Claverhouse only just managed to escape with his life.

The route continues to a T-junction at large white farm buildings where you turn right.

This is a very pleasant stretch of road that crosses moorland planted with conifers and then follows the Calder Water.

At the crossroads, go straight over signed ‘Strathaven four miles’. At the next junction turn left and then after a small rise turn right. If you find yourself at the A71 you’ve missed a turn.

Descend into Strathaven to the crossroads opposite the Common Green.

lMORE cycles can be found in Bike Lanarkshire, available from bookshops or by sending a cheque for £9.95 plus £1 P&P to the Rural Development Trust, 1 Powell Street, Douglas Water, ML11 9PP or buy online at www.madeinlanarkshire.com

BATTLE OF DRUMCLOG: cyclists should visit the site of the battle, where a large obelisk commemorates what was arguably the Covenanters’ finest hour.

Cycle: Strathaven, Loudoun Hill and the battle of Drumclog.

Distance: 17½ miles.

Grade: easy.

Map: OS Landranger sheet 71.