Arrangements for 7th July 2021

Next week will be an Irvine Valley circular walk taking in Loudoun Hill, setting off from Darvel Davie's at 10am.

Update on arrangements for 30 June

 There should be enough parking at the entrance to the opencast to accommodate us.

A Frame to Auchinleck House 23 June

Allan, Billy, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Iain, Ian, Jimmy, Johnny, Kenny T, Rex, Robert

Coffee stop at Auchinleck House

We met at the A Frame on an overcast, but mild, morning for our walk to Auchinleck House. The forecast was iffy so most had waterproofs packed but, in the event, they weren’t needed, as the day turned out to be fine and underfoot conditions good.

The route took us to Ochiltree via the path following the Lugar, and then beyond up to Auchinleck House* where we stopped for coffee. Kenny had to return at this point as he had to be home early. From there we followed the track to the old summer house and via the gorge walk to the point above Wallace’s cave. The path down to it was precarious and not for the faint-hearted, meaning that fearties stayed up top whilst the rest descended to test themselves and explore.

Lunch was then taken at the Auld Place before a diversion down to look at the remains of Auchinleck Castle. If your scribe can remember properly, the Auld Place was built to replace Auchinleck Castle and the current Auchinleck House was built to replace the Auld Place.

As we passed Boswell’s on our way back to the cars the marquee was being set up for a wedding and we encountered the groom, his best man and his mates being photographed on the driveway. Retracing our steps to the A Frame, we were there by half-past two having covered the best part of ten miles.

No FRT today as there was nowhere convenient to accommodate us, but a grand day out nonetheless.

*Just as a reminder, the inscription translates as: Whatever you seek is here in this remote place, if only you have a good firm mind.

Heading for Ochiltree

At the summer house

Don't do it, Davie!

From inside Wallace's cave

And for my next trick...

The remains of the Auld Place

Exploring the topology below Auchinleck Castle

Not much water today

Arrangements for Wed 30th June

 Meet on the access road to the open cast just outside Dalmellington ,as you approach Dalmellington on the Ayr road. Meeting time 10.00.a.m. Check blog for update as this access road might have been closed off. If this turns out to be the case an alternative meeting point will be indicated later.

Cumbrae 16 June

Allan, Billy, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Ian, Jimmy, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert

The overnight rain had gone, and the weather was picking up nicely as we boarded the 9.45am ferry to Cumbrae. After a bit of discussion, it was decided that our route today would be up to the Glaid Stone, down to Millport and then round the back of the island, thereby giving us the benefit of the breeze on our back for the long stretch on the western side.

The Glaid Stone was reached after forty-five minutes, and we took coffee here relishing the brightening skies. Next stop was the Garrison for an early lunch. As usual, some had brought their pieces whilst others chose to go inside to buy whatever took their fancy.

The final and longest leg of today’s walk was made without incident, and we were able to get the 2pm ferry back to Largs. The distance today was a tad over ten miles, and we had been blessed with excellent weather.

Ten of us took FRT in the sun trap that was the beer garden at Drouthy Neebors where Davie C was thanked for buying the first round, including chips, in honour of his 65^th birthday (a number of months ago now) and of him getting notification of his entitlement to his state pension. Gus proposed a toast to him and we all joined in. A record was set today when Ian was first to finish his pint. Mind you, only because Robert managed to spill the whole lot before Ian had a chance to drink much of it. No real damage done, the chips were not affected, and a replacement was soon in place. A very enjoyable time was spent here with the usual standard of banter. It showed us what we had missed over the last year.

Arrangements for Wed 23rd June.

 Meet in the car park beside the A frame structure close to Ochiltree . The walk will go in search of Wallace’s Cave. Meeting time 10.00.a.m.

Portencross 9 June

Allan, Davie C, Gus, Hugh, Ian, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert

It’s official! The Geenock Cut walk is jinxed.

On a very wet morning Johnny and Allan were first to arrive at the cut-off to Cornalees to find a sign saying that the road was shut. Undaunted, they decided to try their luck and made it to the car park where they could see that the section that was shut was the road from the visitors centre up to the Brisbane Glen road. The rest, however, having reached the cut-off were more cautious and made a decision to return and do the Portencross walk. Eventually, the Irvine duo were contacted and they too made their way back to Portencross for the familiar clockwise circuit.

It was about twenty-five to eleven when we got started in some light rain but by the time the power station was reached it had dried up and we were to have no more for the rest of the day. We did notice the two large drilling ships still docked at Hunterston and that the two large wind turbines had been removed. We didn’t stop for coffee but took lunch at our usual spot in the shelter of the trees before making our way back to the cars reaching them two hours and thirty-five minutes after having started out and having covered the best part of seven miles. No FRT today as there was nowhere available nearby with an outside area able to accommodate us.

It was probably fortuitous that we didn’t do the Cut walk as it would have been in low, wet cloud for the duration. Next time this walk is considered, a scouting party will be dispatched the day before to check the roads and will camp out overnight to ensure that we can access Cornalees.

Arrangements for Wed 16th June.

 Meet beside the Gogo burn in Largs at 9.30.a.m. in time to catch the 9.45.a.m. ferry to Millport. Lunch at the Garrison is optional. 

Dunure to Culzean 2 June

Allan, Billy, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Hugh, Iain, Ian, Jimmy, Johnny, Kenny T, Malcolm, Rex, Robert plus Paul for lunch

Creatures of habit

There were one or two fleeces on as we met at Dunure but before setting off all had been discarded as we set off in glorious sunshine for Culzean. Underfoot was very dry so good progress was made up and down and round the fields until we reached the track down on to the beach. The tide was well out meaning that firm sand could be found for walking on and before too long we were sitting at our usual point just before Croy shore for our coffee break being entertained by a couple of lady dogwalkers, one of whom was in the water with the seven or eight dogs in their care. 

As we approached Culzean Kenny had to turn back as he to be back home early, but the rest of us made it up to our lunch spot where we met Paul whose knee was still bothering him to the extent that steps and stairs were a problem.

We retraced our steps back to the cars, again stopping briefly for a wee break at our favoured spot allowing Davie Mc to catch up with us. He had gone into the second-hand bookshop at Culzean looking for a bargain.

We were back at the cars at about twenty past two meaning that we had been on the go for four hours and twenty minutes and had covered nine and a half miles.

FRT was taken at the Abbotsford in Ayr where Iain kindly bought the drinks to celebrate his recent 70^th. Thanks, Iain. We only stayed for the one but can report that the lad who served us was very pleasant!

The start of a good long day

Take care at the style!

Going down to the beach

The great outdoors

Who him?

Magical Culzean

Remember to count the steps!

I see no ships

 

Arrangements for 9 June

Greenock Cut

Meet at Cornalees at 10am.