Tunskeen Bothy 30th April

 Alan McQ, Davie C, Dougie, Graham, Gus, Hugh, Jimmy, Paul and Rex

We met at the War Memorial in Straiton as planned with Paul leaving his car in the village and travelling with Jimmy so only three cars were required to transport the nine Ooters to today's starting point which wasn't at Stinchar Bridge as originally intended but a mile or so further along the forestry road where we parked the cars at a locked gate. This would cut down the day's mileage for most of us to just over nine miles. The day was forecast to be the warmest of the year so far and, having applied the sunscreen, we set off at just before 10am for the walk to Tunskeen bothy which was previously done by some in today's group back in August 2019.

The pace was brisk as we covered the distance on the dry, firm forestry roads with ease. After a couple of miles, we took a road on the right which rose above Loch Riecawr and passed by an example of a "rocking stone" where a large boulder was deposited on top of another by a retreating glacier many thousands of years ago. We stopped here for coffee whilst Alan and Graham took the opportunity to climb up onto the rocking stone just because they could. After coffee, we continued along the foresty road to its end and then followed a track all the way to the door of the bothy. On the final approach to the bothy, we could see evidence of the recent wildfire but it was encouraging to see new growth already starting to appear from the blackened earth.

The bothy was found to be clean and in good order so we sat indoors out of the sun to have our lunch. Tunskeen was a working hill sheep farm until the 1930s after which it fell into disrepair. It was the first building to be adopted and renovated by the Mountain Bothies Association in 1965. Some photos of the bothy over the years can be viewed elsewhere on this blog:

  http://earlyooters.blogspot.com/2019/08/a-short-pictorial-history-of-tunskeen.html

The way back to the cars followed the same route as the outward journey although towards the end of the day we were well strung out and the four in front took a wrong turning only a few hundred yards from the cars and ended up adding an extra mile to their day. Fortunately, they noticed the cars from the distance and found their way back as it would not have been possible to drive after them owing to the locked gate. 

All but Paul took FRT in the Dalmellington Inn where we enjoyed a sociable hour in the beer garden to round off another good day.

Some from the Tunskeen bothy walk

 

Arrangements for Wednesday 7th May

Dalquharran Trails and Bargany Gardens

Meet in Dailly at 10am for a walk on the recently opened trails around the old and new Dalquharran Castles followed by a visit to the nearby Bargany Gardens which are only open to the public during the month of May when the azaleas and rhododendron are in bloom. Total mileage for the day will be around 6 miles on easy, well-surfaced paths.

Dunure to Doonfoot 23rd April

  

Alan, Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Dougie, Graham, Gus, Jimmy, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul

Ten of us waited for the 10.33 bus to Dunure opposite the Co-op at Doonfoot on a lovely morning. By 10.50 we were beginning to despair, but it eventually arrived with Alan McQ already onboard, as was a wee dug which got aff at the next stop!!!

The journey to Dunure didn’t take long, but on the way there was discussion about some going up and over the hill back to the cars rather than doing the coastal walk. In the end though, all agreed to stick to the original plan.

The start from Dunure was not easy as we were on a shingle beach, but soon we found the white markers which directed us on to the grass and we went up and down, and in some cases flat on our back (Davie got stuck in a wee muddy section) until we arrived at our coffee spot on the beach. The going so far had not been the easiest but the next part which included a walk across slippery stones was treacherous and seemed to go on forever until we found firm footing again leading to the ‘stairway to heaven’. These steps which took us up to the fields above and away from the beach get steeper every time we do this walk, and it was a joy to take a breather on reaching the top.

On reaching the old railway line the going on the grass was easy and we reached the caravan park in fine fettle before finding the path back down to the beach. On the way down we stopped at the benches for lunch and to enjoy the view. The views today had been idyllic, and we were in no mood to continue but, needs must, and by half-past one we were on the last leg or our journey along the beach and around the Heads of Ayr. Again, underfoot was taxing but we emerged at the bay at the holiday park (Craig Tara) and trudged on until seeing Greenan Castle. By this time we were well strung out (nothing new then) but the front markers waited at the exit from the beach for the rest to catch up and take yet another breather.

Following the path across the field, planted with tatties, we made our way to the tarmac which took us up almost to the main road where we turned left and walked the shortish distance back down to the cars. Arriving back at quarter to three the walk had taken us three hours and forty minutes. As far as the distance covered is concerned, the smart watches etc could not agree ranging from six and a half to seven and a half miles. Let’s settle on somewhere in the middle, but, as always on this walk, it felt more like ten miles given the underfoot conditions i.e. soft sand, shingle, slippy rocks. It is not a walk which we will rush to do again any time soon!

FRT was taken in the Market Bar in Ayr where a good time was had, where the prices were reasonable, and where weary bones were rested!

Some from the Dunure to Doonfoot walk