Gogo Burn 24 April

Alan, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Ian, Kenny R, Kenny T, Malcolm, Paul, Rex

Twelve of us left our parking spot just after ten o’clock and made our way up to Douglas Park. The morning was bright and dry, but there was a chill wind blowing (more of this later) meaning that some of us decided to start off wearing jackets. As we moved through the park, we were met by Kenny T accompanied by Freya the spaniel who was desperate to get off the lead and go for a run. Kenny wouldn’t let her though, as he wasn’t sure he would ever see her again. The initial climb up to the steps gets the heartrate going before the steady slog up the steps and on to the moor. The wind up there was gale force and we only hung around for a few minutes to draw breath and get the obligatory picture taken. At this point, Kenny left us with Freya as the big walk would have been too much for her.

As we followed the path further up into the hills the wind seemed to strengthen and, as it was directly in to our faces, it made for difficult progress. Nonetheless we reached some shelter by eleven o’clock and sat down for a wee-deserved cuppa. Ten minutes later we were once more into the breach making steady progress until the path ran out. At this point we normally turn left and head for the open moorland, but this time, Davie Mc, Gus and Rex decided to go straight on up the hill and see if that was to be a better option. The rest of us took the normal route over the rough grass, skirting the hill, and trudged on until the bridge, our turning point, came into view. By this time, we were well scattered and made our individual ways down, Alan even going direct and crossing the burn. As we hit the road at the end of our descent the three others appeared saying that their route was to be recommended as, once you are up top, there is a quad-bike track which can be followed right down to the access road. It is then a simple matter to follow the road down to the bridge. Just after twelve o’clock saw us all assembled again and the wind-assisted walk down to our lunch spot at the Greeto Falls only took us half an hour. Lunch was idyllic, sunny, warm and sheltered, but too soon and it was time to move on down the road and into Largs, passing the rubble, which is now the old Largs Academy, and back to the cars.

The outward journey had been a real challenge today and more than the cobwebs had got blown away. However, the 8.1 miles had been done in three and a half hours, possibly our quickest time.
The Hard Walk Café was eschewed in favour of the dog-friendly Drouthy Neebors for FRT. On this occasion we sat down outside but agreed within minutes that it was just a tad draughty and went indoors for drinks and chips.
There were some tired bodies, but all agreed it had been a good day out. The wind had been an issue but the underfoot conditions, mercifully, had been the best i.e. the driest, we had ever encountered on this walk.

Footnote

The Largs Thistle v Troon Juniors football match was abandoned later in the evening due to high winds.

Sanctuary for lunch

Continuing the series on exposed parts of Gus's anatomy

Davie retrieves Malcolm's piece bag from the burn

Arrangements for 1st May

Durisdeer
Meet at the usual spot in Durisdeer at 10am for the circular walk taking in Morton Castle.

7 April Wanlockhead to Sanquhar

Alan, Davie C, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Ian, Jimmy, Rex & Robert

Nine stalwart Ooters gathered in Sanquhar to wait for the 8:52 bus to Wanlockhead. Nine stalwart Ooters boarded the bus much to the delight of the driver for now he had passengers aboard – nine passengers. Fifteen minutes later nine stalwart Ooters decanted from the bus in Scotland’s highest village.

The morning was lightly overcast but there was the promise from the met office for a better day and we were not to be disappointed. So, in boyant mood and with a light but cool breeze on the back, we set off down the gently sloping valley of the Wanlock Water following the signs for the Southern Uplands Way. We were to stay on the Way until our destination in Sanquhar. Down then, past the brightly whitewashed houses of the village; down past the remains of the village’s lead mining past with queries being made as to the function of each; down past the old church which we noted was being given a fresh coat of paint; down past the old cemetery and into the open country we went, following an estate road.

Much to our surprise and slight consternation we heard the purr of an engine behind us and, on looking round, found this to be a quad bike of some dimension. Attached to the rear was what looked like a giant lawnmower. When the driver drew the machine to a halt we found out the reason for such apparatus. He was on his way to cut a fire break through the heather in preparation for those coming behind to fire muirburn and his giant lawnmower was just the job for this. This muirburn, he said, was to encourage new heather growth. We wished him luck and went our separate ways – we to continue following the Way and he to climb the side of the valley and start his heather cutting.

It was not long after we left the heather cutter that we also left the road to take the old pony track over the hill towards the ruined farm of Coghead. The gentle downslope of the valley gave way to a steeper though not too steep upslope. With the day warming up and the slope taking its toll, those who started off with jackets against the breeze were soon stripping them off down to more comfortable gear. The sun now made an appearance to add to the heat as we climbed the flank of Glengaber Hill. And as we climbed the views began to open out for us. Though an April haze obscured the more distant landscape we could still see, up the Wanlock Valley and beyond the village, the giant ‘Golf Ball’ on Lowther Hill.

As the road zigged and zagged its way upwards we were spread out over a hundred metres or so as the slope took its toll. But, in true Ooters style, the fit waited at the top of the coll for the less fit to catch up. (See us, see compassion………) Now the way was downward towards Coghead. Nearing the ruin we came across a new-born lamb, the umbilicus still hanging from it. Robert was lucky to get a picture before we quickly moved of to let mum back to baby. At the ruin we stopped for coffee.

Fully refreshed, we set off to tackle the only other climb of the day – a short but steep climb on to the flat of Conrig Hill. Each tackled the slope in his own manner and we gathered again at the fence near the summit. That was the climbing finished for the day and we started our descent towards Sanquhar. Normally there is a great view from this height above the Nith valley but the haze restricted it today. ‘Is that Corsencon?’ asked one pointing westward and was delighted to be assured it was. But all beyond the further edge of the valley disappeared into the April miasma.

In front of us, half way up the slope, we could see two figures coming towards us. They turned out to be a young man and woman who had left Portpatrick eight days ago and were following the Southern Upland Way to its finish at Cockburnspath. We wished them all the luck and continued our descent. As the slope eased, we found a wee, scooped out former quarry and settled down out of the breeze for a leisurely lunch in the warming spring sun.

Half an hour later we stirred ourselves to move again. Still the route was downward. The Black Loch had been mentioned to those who were doing this walk for the first time. A great image had been built up in their minds by the glowing descriptions offered by the others. So, when we came to a sign pointing to ‘Black Loch 420M’ The newbies were game for a visit. How disappointed they were when they saw it and what comments were made will remain unpublished in these pages for the sake of decency. 

After an unrewarding half mile detour the newbies were reunited with the main party. Again, what comments were made should remain unpublished. Sufficed to say that the old hands had a great laugh at the expense of the newbies.

A short flat and then a steep descent saw us casually wander into Sanquhar via The Coo Wynd. The monument to the Sanquhar declarations was examined in the passing and the cars were reached around one thirty – an early finish from an early start. But our day wasn’t finished. We took a pleasant hours FRT in The Crown where were greeted in the usual amiable fashion by mine host.

Some photographs from Wanlockhead to Sanquhar walk.

Arrangements for Wed 24th April

Meet in the parking area beside the Gogo burn ,Largs at 10.00.a.m. The route planned is to walk back to Douglas Park to access the steps and stairs up onto the moor . The rest of the walk entails a circle round eventually to the Gogo Burn and the walk back to Largs.

Cumbrae 10 April

Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Ian, Jim, Jimmy, Johnny, Kenny T, Rex, Robert

We took the 10.15am ferry to Cumbrae on a bright and sunny morning, although, in the shade, it was still cold. Anti-clockwise was today’s choice, so we made our way down the west coast of the island before stopping at the sandy bay, just before Fintry Bay, for a breather. Some chose to have coffee on the beach whilst the others moved on to the benches at Fintry bay for their sustenance.

It was a delight to sit in the pleasant temperature and take in the vista, but, with all of us together again, it soon was time to move off towards Millport, and by this time the two Davies were resplendent in shorts. The sun, and the school holidays, meant that the road was much busier than usual with cars, bikes, and walkers and when we reached the town it was as busy as we have seen it in a long time.
Having reached the Garrison, some bought a lunch and sat in the sun in the sit-ootery, whilst the rest sat in the gardens and enjoyed their pieces.
There was a split on the way back to the ferry with Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Ian and Rex taking the road up to the Glaid Stone whilst the others took to Ferry Road. The latter group arrived at the slipway in plenty of time for the 2.30pm sailing whilst the Glaid Stoners made it by the skin of their teeth.
Wetherspoon’s was choc-a-bloc, so we retired to the Drouthy Neebors for our FRT, and, to his surprise, Davie discovered that it was now dog friendly, so Holly was quickly fetched from the car.
Those who had come back via the hill had measured the total distance to be a tad over 11 miles. We had been on the island for four hours but probably had only walked for three of them.
A cracking day out in perfect walking conditions!

 

Some images from the Cumbrae walk

Arrangements for Wed 17th April

Meet in the car park in the centre of Sanquhar at 8.45a.m. in time to change into boots and catch the bus to Wanlockhead at 8.56 a.m.  (Bus passes required) The plan is to walk back over the hills to Sanquhar.

3 April - Windy Standard

Robert, Gus, Davie C, Alan, Kenny T, Davie M, Ian, Paul

Just 8 Ooters gathered at the waterworks, with snow lying on the hills and falling quite heavily in the car park. After a lengthy discussion Kenny and Davie M chose to walk around the reservoir whilst the other six opted for the scheduled walk.

We parted company above the reservoir, with Holly looking bemused as she was restrained on her lead. Kenny took a photo of the assembled six which had a feel of the parting shot of a Himalayan expedition.

It wasn't long before we were in uncharted territory.  New roads, servicing recently constructed turbines, transformed the route we were accustomed to.

The good news was that Robert had the forethought to bring a map. The bad news was that the new tracks weren't on it.

We headed off in what we reckoned was the right direction and soon came to a crossroads. We passed around a gate and  Robert went to survey the scene ahead, but he soon returned saying the road had come to an end.  As we turned back to the gate we found an enormous map attached to the fence.  "You are here" was nowhere to be seen on it. The map covered a large area and showed a line of what we surmised were numbered pylons. As luck would have it, there was a pylon close by. Paul went off to check the number ... and, of course, there wasn't one. Gus went off to check the number of the nearest turbine but it didn't correspond with anything on the map.

Alan and Robert pored over the map whilst Paul checked the GPS.  The two Munroists deployed their well-honed map-reading skills and decided on the direction of travel.   The chosen route involved a large sweeping 180 degree curve but lo and behold! we were soon on a track which looked vaguely familiar to those who had done the walk before.

Eventually we came to the low bridge where on previous walks we would stop for coffee. This area had been transformed too, with two roads running off to the left and and another to the right. After more map reading and GPS-checking we set off on the second left- and there was no coffee stop!

All this time the snow was falling but the forestry protected us from the north wind.  We were on the look out for a clearing on our left which is our traditional route up to the Windy Standard ridge. We found it and started our trudge up through deep snow.  Robert said later he found it hard going, the rest of us thought it not too bad.  Perhaps this had something to do with Robert leading the way up through the virgin snow whilst the rest of us followed in his footsteps.

By now it was around 12.20 and we decided to have a combined coffee/lunch stop, sheltering from the wind in the lee of the first turbine on the ridge. Break over we followed the service road up to the top of the hill. We were in the clouds and snow was still falling but the service road was relatively clear.  It was a long slog to the top and the final turbine. But we found it. This is where, in the past we would stop for lunch and admire the view. This time we had no lunch and no view.

Davie M had advised us to keep the fence to our right as we descended and we did just that. Oddly, the track though under snow was easily found. The snow was a good 6 inches deep on the descent, added to which there were drifts and filled-in hollows.  But we made good progress.  Eventually we could hear the whirr of a turbine. We heard it long before we could see it because we were still befogged.  This was a new turbine and we figured that where there are turbines there would be roads.  Robert went off to check then called us over.

We followed the service road, but not for long.  At a junction there was an "Exit" sign and we reckoned that direction wasn't for us, not being sure where the exit would be. Instead we left the road and headed down the snowy slopes towards the valley bottom.  The snow was still deep.  At last we were out of the clouds and we could see the reservoir and the road along its banks ... but first we had to negotiate a felled forest with tree stumps, roots and discarded branches eager to catch out the unwary. We survived it and it was with relief that we all gathered on the road and began our march back to the parked cars, passing what might have been the exit signposted earlier.

But it might not have been.

FRT was taken at the Black Bull, Mauchline (apologies to Jimmy who said he would meet us for a drink if we let him know where we were going. The first person to see your message was Ian, just as we entered the Black Bull).

It might not sound like it but it was a great walk, enjoyed by everyone.  It's good to be tested now and again. And a special mention for Robert and Alan, our navigators. The boys done well.

Distance 9.4 miles. Time taken 4.5 hours

Windy Standard - a few photographs.

The photographs were taken at the end of the walk as it was not the best day for photography on the hill.

Arrangements for Wed 10th April

Meet Largs at 10.00.a.m. for the 10.15 ferry to Millport.  On leaving the ferry turn right and walk anti- clock wise round to Millport. Anyone interested can have lunch in the Garrison restaurant. ( I am not on any kind of sweetener,honest.) We can then walk over the Gladestone or get the bus to the ferry. Bus passes required.

Windy Standard or Glenafton Loch