11 June Muirsheil Revisited

‘Blows the wind today, and the sun and the rain are flying, -
Blows the wind on the moor today and now,’

RL Stevenson

We gathered at the Irvine Ooter’s place this morning to see how his recuperation is progressing. It is pleasing to note that he has flung away his crutches and is standing tall, running to the door even. He will be with us again by the end of the summer. His coffee and warm, fresh scones were very much appreciated by the group, as they always are. And it was good to see Peter for a while as well. This visit to Johnny and the promise to return in the afternoon to drink his beer meant that today’s walk was necessarily shorter and more local than of late and Muirsheil was chosen.
The same route was to be taken as the last outing here (7/5/2008). Only the personnel and the weather were changed. Neither Paul or Rex were with us the last time and the weather today was cooler and brighter with the air much clearer. The forecast was for squally showers but did we care? Well, perhaps.
A few spots of rain hit us as we prepared to leave the cars at Muirsheil Visitor Centre. It wasn’t heavy rain and it didn’t last long but it was enough to make the timorous wear the waterproofs. Much to Jimmy’s approval Paul wore a fetching new cap bedecked with saltires and the word ‘Scotland’ emblazoned on it. Rex wore an old cap for his favourite one is still on Arran. And thus protected against the weather we set off long the road to the old barytes mine.
Holly was on her best behaviour today. Sheep and lambs grazed on the moor and alongside the road. Holly was more interested in her stick than the sheep. Davie was complimented on the way he has trained her and he made the most of this for compliments are few in the Ooters.
The sun came out and the wind blew white clouds across the sky. The day was turning pleasant though Davie persisted with the waterproofs just in case. And, as we climbed with the road, the eastern landscape opened out to reveal towns on the valley side. A debate ensued as to their identity. ‘Bridge of Earn’, Jimmy said until it was pointed out that this was actually in Stirlingshire and the place we could see might be Bridge of Weir. Or Kilmacolm. Or Kilbarchan. And Glasgow showed up in the distance. Or was it Paisley? If only somebody had a map……….. Debate continued as we walked in to the barytes mine and the road climbed higher. Elevenses (twelveses actually) were taken at the mine. Davie took off his waterproofs.
After coffee Davie led us into the quarry where only he had ventured the last time. Jimmy was still protecting a sair knee and was dubious about the climb out of the quarry. It hurt. But it did bring us to the same path that we took the last time along the quarry side. We climbed with it. Jimmy remembered the gully from the last time and took to the left hand side. Davie went right. Those who should know better followed Davie and ended up climbing down into the gulley and clambering up the other side.
Once back on the track and climbing, the landscape really opened out and we could see what we couldn’t on the last visit. Ben Lomond was the obvious peak in the north. Rex suggested Ben More was the twin peak to the left. Jimmy was doubtful. And, as we climbed more of the southern highlands came into view. We stopped frequently to examine the increasing panorama. Rain showers, driven on the fresh wind, scudded across the country obscuring what lay beyond for a few minutes then revealing it afresh as they sped on to be followed by the sun. We hoped we could avoid these showers and stay in the sun.
The path ran out and we took to the heather. Though it was slightly taller than it was on the last visit, it was still short and the going was easier than it might have been. Rex had thought that we were just walking on the road and had worn trainers and he had to skip the shpaggy bits, still wet despite the dryness of the month. The rest plunged through. A stunted fir tree could be seen on the horizon and we made for this. It was on the top of the hill. Slake was just to our right about half a mile away and looked inviting but it was felt that if we went there we would not have time to visit Johnny so the original plan was kept to.
Across the hill we went with Davie and Rex leading and Jimmy and Paul coming on behind. Behind us now Ben Lomond was revealed behind the rain. And now Ben More could be seen to its right. The hill that we thought might be Ben More was probably Cruach Ardrain to the north of Loch Lomond. And, to the south, the Galloway hills formed the horizon. Jimmy thought that the high ground immediately south might be Blacksidend but couldn’t be sure. If only somebody had a map!
There was only the briefest of halts on the next top for a few spots of rain were felt and a descent was made towards the small reservoir we saw below us as we approached the hill. The rain appeared to get heavier and the sky behind us got greyer. Davie clambered back into waterproofs. By this time Jimmy was making his way away to the left while the rest bore right following Davie again. (You would think they would know by now.) Came a ‘Coooooooo-eee’ from Jimmy* who by this time was out of sight on the left. The rest followed the call and found Jimmy sitting beside the reservoir. The rain went and afternoon coffee was taken while Holly did her thing in the water.
We followed the path from the dam to find the barytes road again and took this back to the centre.
A a shorter but perfectly good day Though a day of sun and showers, we managed to avoid most of the showers.
Refreshment was taken back at Johnny’s place in Irvine.

* Is he turning Aussie?