Muirkirk:

The 'Moor Kirk' existed long before the town of Muirkirk. This church or 'kirk' was built in 1631.

Muirkirk is home to many Covenanter's stories and an information display at the Covenanter's Heritage layby beside the A70 at Muirkirk is a good starting point to exploring the history of the area. Many of the paths in this area follow ancient roads and rights-of-way.

Ayr:

Ayr in the south-west of Scotland is a town situated on the Firth of Clyde. It was a royal burgh from 1205 until 1975 and the county town of the former county of Ayrshire. Ayr is the administrative centre for South Ayrshire Council.

To the north of Ayr is the adjoining town of Prestwick, famous for its golf and its aviation industry, thanks to the presence of Glasgow Prestwick International Airport. Other neighbouring places include Alloway, known for its associations with the poet Robert Burns. To the south is a Haven (formerly Butlins) holiday camp, and the fishing village of Dunure, where there is a ruined castle formerly owned by the Kennedy family.

Sorn:

Eight miles west of Muirkirk on the B743 lies the picturesque village of Sorn. This conservation village has an impressive church dating back to 1658. There is a Covenanter's Monument in the churchyard. Across the road is Sorn Bridge a steep hump-backed bridge built in 1710. The castle is even older with parts dating from the 14th century. James VI stayed here in 1598.

New Lanark:

New Lanark is a village on the River Clyde, approximately two kilometres from Lanark, in South Lanarkshire. It was founded in 1786 by David Dale, who built cotton mills and housing for the mill workers. Dale built the mills there to take advantage of the water power provided by the river. Under the ownership of a partnership that included Dale's son-in-law, Robert Owen, a philanthropist and social reformer, New Lanark became a successful business and an epitome of utopian socialism.

The New Lanark mills operated until 1968. After a period of decline, the New Lanark Conservation Trust was founded in 1975 to prevent demolition of the village. As of 2006, most of the buildings have been restored and the village has become a major tourist attraction. It is one of four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Scotland and an Achor Point of ERIH - The European Route of Industrial Heritage.

Mauchline:

Situated 10 miles south-east of Kilmarnock in East Ayrshire, the village of Mauchline is most noted for its associations with Robert Burns, and there is a museum in the house occupied by Burns and his wife Jean Armour, a Mauchline native. Nearby is Poosie Nansie's tavern associated with Burns setting of 'The Jolly Beggars', as well as the National Burns Memorial Tower. Burns was a tenant for nine years at nearby Mossgiel Farm to the north. He engaged in various affairs at Mauchline and both he and Jean were publicly rebuked by the minister, Reverend Auld, for their sins.

Monks from Melrose Abbey constructed Mauchline Castle (c.1450) as a base for their Ayrshire estates. The village was also noted for its handloom weaving, manufacture wooden Mauchline ware and curling stones, and for its horse and cattle fairs.