Dalry: Causing Havoc in North Ayrshire

Lynn Glen waterfall

I don’t remember the year that I moved to Dalry, North Ayrshire. I just know that this was one of the most significant moments of my life.

Dalry is a fascinating town, full of history, drowning in intrigue and buzzing with people. People is the most significant word for me. I may have been born in Canada but I was raised in this small town in the Garnock Valley.

As a youngster, Dalry was an intimidating place for me. I was unable to settle for a while because I hadn’t found my footing in this new, mysterious place. It was not until my door was chapped one day where my true love and understanding of the town developed.

I was welcomed in by kids my age, by people who just wanted to hang out. What child, or person, doesn’t want a bit of company? My early days in Dalry began an affair which continues today, not just with best mates I have who live in Dalry to this day, but with the town that my best mates and I grew up in.

Dalry is the town I was raised in, and it is the town that I will always consider the best wee town in Scotland. My purpose isn’t to approve one town over another, because everyone has a favourite place. So, I’m beginning my love of Scotland from my favourite place: Dalry, North Ayrshire.

River Garnock looking towards St Margarets

Dail Ruighe (the Gaelic translation of Dalry) can be found along the banks of the Garnock River where it meets the Rye Water and the Caaf Water. A road bridge now spans the meeting of the Caaf with the Garnock, a frequently visited swimming spot for me and my mates growing up. Some say that this point is haunted by a vicious kelpie which I witnessed attack my friend, although it was probably just a curious eel. You never know since the Caaf Water trails through the Fairy Glen inside the beautiful Lynn Glen. Who knows what pixies lurk within the confines of Dalry’s most attractive and scenic natural wonder?

The Lynn Glen is a hidden gem within North Ayrshire and was something of a town secret up until lockdown. This well-trodden path is a brilliant spot for a walk in the summer, or even a wee dip at the bottom of the Lynn Spout but don’t expect your swim to be warm as the sun never casts its rays over the shimmering pool.

The Royal Hotel

Following any adventure, a pint is in order and you’re spoilt for choice in Dalry for a pint of Scotland’s finest. Over the years, Dalry has seen its fair share of pubs come and go so pour one out for the Club Bar, King’s Arms and one of my personal favourites, Enigma. These days, you can’t go wrong with a pint in the Royal Hotel. Although, don’t be surprised if the Landlady, Barbara doesn’t serve you. It’s nothing personal, she probably just doesn’t like the look of you. The Royal is by far my most favourite pub in Scotland. It has everything you need: dart board, fine selection of spirits, an open fire, one of the best kept pool tables in Ayrshire but most importantly, characters.

Your night won’t end at the Royal so feel free to take a tipple in one of the other fine establishments in Dalry: Tarries, The Turf, The Black Bull, The Auld Hoose and even The Tartan, a fine pub crawl if there ever was one. And what happens following the last sip of the Devil’s Juice touches your lips? Your stomach rumbles so you inevitably head to Zain’s or Abid’s, two takeaways in Dalry who’ve over the years embarked on The Kebab Wars to try and outdo each other with deliciously monstrous creations.

Dalry is my favourite town in Scotland. My family home is no longer ‘Up the Blair,’ queue Bon Jovi…

Take my hand, we'll make it I swear Woah, livin' up the Blair

…but I will always consider it my hometown no matter where the rest of my life takes me.