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Ballantrae's fine, sandy beach leads all the way to Bennane Head

Once safely across turn left and climb steeply alongside the A77, walking on the grass verge between the metal barrier and the fence. This section of path travels beside the road for approximately one mile and although there are several feet between you and the traffic real care must be taken, particularly if there is a large group, children or pets on the walk. As you gain height alongside the road the views back towards Ballantrae are superb. About halfway up the hill the metal barrier stops so take extra care here. Once at the top of the hill the houses of Bennane Lodge and Meikle Bennane are passed on the left, then as the A77 begins to descend the verge crosses a singletrack farm road (which leads to Little Bennane) and reaches a waymarked sign. Carefully cross the A77 here back onto the western side of the road.

Near Bennane Head is a cave that runs to a depth of nearly 200m. Local legend states that this was the home of the infamous Alexander ‘Sawney’ Bean (spelt erroneously on the OS map as Sawny). He was the head of a Scottish family of cannibals who reputedly murdered over 1000 men, women and children in the 15th or 16th century. The clan managed to keep their whereabouts secret for 25 years thanks to the cave being blocked by water at high tide, keeping its murderous inhabitants and the remains of their victims hidden from passers-by. It was only by chance that Sawney Bean and his band of outlaws were finally caught, when they ambushed a man and wife returning from a local fair. The husband put up a furious struggle with his sword and pistol, managing to escape (sadly his wife became the Bean family's final victim) and tell the magistrates at Glasgow. When King James VI was informed, he and an army of 400 men tracked the Beans down to their cave at Bennane Head. Following their capture, Sawney Bean and his clan were all executed without trial in Edinburgh.