Wardlaw Hill 28 July

 Alan McQ, Allan, Billy, Davie C, Davie Mc, Hugh, Paul, Rex, Robert

Cairn Table in the background

The heat of the previous days had gone, to be replaced with overcast skies and the chance of some heavy showers but, undaunted, we prepared to set off from Kames on our trek up Wardlaw Hill (497m) last done by us in February 2019. Just as we were setting off Jimmy arrived, supported by a walking stick. Yes, his back had gone again. Obviously, he wouldn’t be walking today but it was good of him to turn up to see us off.

After half an hour we were at the Sanquhar Bridge, which we crossed, and followed the old road up to the bench. We’ve taken coffee here in the past, but Alan suggested that since he was going to take us down to the Bible Stane as a wee diversion, and it was only two hundred yards away, we delay coffee until we reached it. You’ve heard of Jimmy miles, but these are nothing compared to Alan yards. On and on we went over rough stuff. Alan had taken us off-piste and just as we were getting well and truly piste off we came across the stone, complete with bible in a cavity, and sat down for refreshments.

From there we found the track we should have taken which led us easily back on to the Sanquhar road. In future don’t turn off at the bench but continue up to the wee cairn and follow the track down to the Bible Stane. Alan was banished to the pack and was not allowed to lead us for the rest of the walk! Derval Davie took over! We continued up the old road until we encountered another wee cairn which indicated that this was where to turn off right up to Wardlaw. Underfoot was as dry as you could get so good progress was made to Baird’s cairn at the top of the hill which was reached just after midday.

Lunch was taken here in the shelter of the cairn as it was exposed up there, and there was a chill to the breeze. However, the views across the landscape were excellent. As luck would have it, we got a wee shower of rain as we were about to leave, but nothing significant. Retracing our steps in fine weather back to the cars we arrived back at two o’clock, having covered just over nine miles in three hours and fifty-five minutes.

The Coach House was closed so we decided to try the Black Bull in Mauchline for FRT deciding that, given current restrictions, we would just have to sit inside at different tables. However, as we approached the front door we spotted a sign, that we had not bothered with before, saying that there was a beer garden out the back. And, so there was, and a very decent one too. The barmaid recognised us as long-lost friends and seemed genuinely happy to see us. A relaxing hour was spent with the usual ‘high-class’ banter.  The perfect end to a good day out in unexpectedly good weather.

 

Lunchtime

Today's reading comes from...

The Bible Stane

Heading up the road

Arrangements for Wednesday 4th August

Turnberry-Maidens-Culzean

Meet at 10am at the Lodge Road car park which is situated where the A719 meets the A77 (see map below). This will be a level walk along Turnberry beach to the lighthouse and remains of Turnberry Castle then on to the village of Maidens. Return route via Shanter Farm (of Tam o' Shanter fame), the old railway line and Turnberry Hotel. Distance to Maidens and back is 6 miles but can be extended into Culzean if desired.

FRT can be taken in the outside areas at Souters in Kirkoswald or The Greenside in Maybole. 

Maybole 21 July

 

At the war memorial

Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Paul, Rex, Robert

 STOP PRESS : Ooters make sensible decision

 It was to be a blistering hot summer’s day so there was little dissent when we decided that eleven miles and three hills would not be appropriate today. Alan was asked if he could amend the walk accordingly, so we set off heading for Kildoon Hill, making a wee detour up to the War Memorial adjacent to the nine-hole golf course. Halfway up the path to Kildoon Hill we stopped to take on fluids, the first of many stops today, before reaching the top and then making our way across to the Fergusson Monument where coffee/water/exploding juice (see Robert for details) was taken.

There was a nice wee breeze here, but it was time to move on and so we made our way down the far side of the hill and across a grassy field until tarmac was reached. Turning left and then right at Lower Burncrooks we then followed the road up to Lochspouts where Alan found us a nice, shaded area for lunch.

We then retraced our steps towards Lower Burncrooks, but on the way there Alan met up with his pal, a farmer, who was driving a large tractor delivering topsoil to one of his fields and stopped to chat to him. The next thing we knew was that Alan was getting a hurl in the tractor back down the road, before eventually getting off. A quick meeting of the committee decided that this constituted a breach of our regulations and that he would not be credited for doing the whole walk. As further punishment he was condemned to return to work next month!

At Lower Burncrooks we took a right and followed the road round Kildoon Hill rather than climbing over it again, but just beyond Spring Garden farm and cottage we made a wee detour off the road down to a shaded area next to a mini waterfall at the burn. We stopped for ten minutes or so before rejoining the road for the last leg back to the cars in Maybole. About eight miles in three hours forty minutes were today’s numbers.

Whilst getting changed, Rex proclaimed that he had lost his phone on the walk and was not a happy chappy. He certainly didn’t get any volunteers to join him in retracing his steps. Just as he was getting resigned to its loss, eagle-eyed Davie said, ‘What’s that on the roof of your car, Rex?’ A delighted Rex would have kissed Davie had it not been for social distancing, say no more! Rex had put the phone there whilst getting ready for the walk and had not taken it on the walk at all, and was lucky that it was still there when he got back. Mind you the colour of his phone cover matched his car so that it was difficult to notice.

FRT was taken at the refurbished Greenside, and what a transformation! A lot of money has been spent both inside and outside turning this into a very desirable bar/restaurant. A most enjoyable hour was spent in the suntrap which was the outdoor area.

At the Greenside

Lochspouts

Lunch

Mochrum Hill in the background

At the Fergusson Monument

Arrangements for Wednesday 28th July 2021

 Wardlaw Hill

Meet at Kames, Muirkirk at 10am for a walk up Wardlaw Hill (including a short detour to view the bible stane). 10 miles approx. 

Arrangements for Wednesday 21st July

Meet at 10am in Maybole at the car park beside the Maybole Arms where there's ample free parking. Local lad Alan McQ will lead an 11 mile walk around the three hills of Kildoon, Craigdow and Craigfin plus a visit to Loch Spouts; once the water supply for Maybole and site of an ancient crannog. FRT can be taken at the recently-refurbished Greenside Inn which has an outdoor seating area.

Wednesday 14 July, 2021 - Barony Hill

 

Wed 14th July

 Sorry guys I will miss the walk on Wednesday as I have grandchildren to look after this week. Should see you all next week.

Update. Child minding commitment has changed- therefore I will be able to meet up in Dailly as required.

I will take my own car as I need to head home and be able to drive up to Airdrie afterwards.

Darvel 7th July

 Here are some of Jimmy's pictures.

Wednesday 7th July 2021 Darvel

 Alan McQ, Billy, Derval Davie, Killie Davie. Dougie, Iain, Jimmy, Kenny T and Malcolm.

Several Ooters were posted missing today for a variety of reasons, but the above nine gathered at Darvel at the appointed time to do the Valley Circular  Walk in a clockwise direction, although we had set out before Kenny arrived at the last minute. However he managed to catch up with us before we had exited Darvel park.

The route led us along the "waterlip" past the rear of Darvel Juniors park to Glenbrig. As we ascended the brae towards the cemetery, Alan suggested we make a small detour to view the underground bunker which lies in a field next to the cemetery. Although Davie has lived in the valley for more than fifty years he did not know of its existence! You live and learn!

We then retraced our steps to join the old railway line which would lead us up to Loudoun Hill. As expected, no maintenance has been done on this part of the path and  grass and nettles were neck high. Luckily underfoot conditions were good.

As we emerged from the undergrowth, Derval Davie decided to show the company the huge tunnel which runs under the railway. Some of us tentatively made our way through to the other end, There is a much smaller one beside the main one, taking another wee burn under the railway. Jimmy and Alan decided they would crouch down and make their way back through this smaller one. Some people just don't act their age!

Eventually we continued along the old line and discovered some workmen digging it up and laying grey chips to create a completely unnecessary sanitised path. They were ripping up a perfectly good walking path to create this, authorised by East Ayrshire Council. Creating new paths when they don't even maintain existing paths. Grey paths also now surround Loudoun Hill, spoiling the view completely.  What a complete and utter waste of tax payers' money.

We lunched on top of Loudoun Hill with a view over Rough Diamond farm across to Drumclog and Strathaven. We then set  off for Saughall where we met up with Mike, Alan's bothy pal, and Liz who lives opposite Mike and who came out with her laptop to show us a photo she had taken of us on the top of Loudoun Hill. A good  20 minutes was taken exchanging pleasantries with Mike and Liz.

Liz's photo

Eventually we passed the Long Cairn and Loanfoot farm and headed down to Bransfield farm. Going through the wee wood beside the Gower Water behind Priestland, Malcolm couldn't resist having a wee swing on the tree swing, eliciting comments about him being a "swinger".

5 hours and 10 minutes after we had set off we arrived back in Darvel, most of us feeling knackered. This is normally and four and a half hour walk, but with our two detours and a lot of blethering, it had taken much longer. However it was a fine workout, seemingly enjoyed by all.

View of Darvel from the bunker

the big tunnel

Loudoun Hill

Royal Observer Corps - Nuclear Monitoring Posts

Here is a diagram which shows how the underground bunker next to Darvel cemetery would have looked when it was in use between 1959 and 1991. It was one of over 1,500 monitoring posts the length and breadth of the UK which were staffed by volunteers of the Royal Observer Corps during the Cold War.

History of the ROC Monitoring posts here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Observer_Corps_Monitoring_Post

Here's a map and list of the locations of the ROC Monitoring Posts:

https://www.subbrit.org.uk/categories/nuclear-monitoring-posts/

In Ayrshire, there were ROC posts at Barr, Barrhill, Catrine, Dalmellington, Darvel, Dunlop, Dunure, Girvan, Kilmarnock, Kilwinning, Muirkirk, New Cumnock, Straiton, Turnberry and West Kilbride.

Arrangements for Wednesday 14th July

Barony Hill

Meet in the centre of Dailly at 10am for a walk up Barony Hill. Alan McQ will lead a new route up this old favourite. Total distance 8 miles approx.

The lost villages 30 June

Alan McQ, Allan, Billy, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Jimmy, Johnny, Malcolm, Rex

There's only one Benwhat!

The weather was a wee bit overcast as we readied ourselves for our walk to the lost villages but, with no rain forecast, we set off in good spirits. The walk up through the opencast (Chalmerston) was done at a good pace and there was need to draw breath before heading towards Benwhat (or Benquhat). Turning right at the remains of two old vehicles (a blot on the landscape) we soon made the memorial stone at Benwhat where coffee was taken. Derval Davie took out the memorial photos and visitors’ book, which we all signed, from beneath the bench before carefully returning it to its protective box. By this time, the sun was out and there was a marked change in the temperature, meaning that, by now, shirtsleeves were the order of the day.

Johnny, Malcolm, Davie C and Allan took the lower route along the old railway line whilst the rest went up to the war memorial before re-joining the four further along. Underfoot conditions were as dry as you could get, so progress for the next part of the walk along the grass track to the war memorial to the fallen from Lethanhill and Burnfoothill was steady. As is our custom, lunch was taken here.

It was about half-past twelve or so when we started to make our way down to Dunaskin for the last leg of our journey along the railway track. There were many warning signs threatening fines for walking on the track but, as there were no signs of any of the vintage trains, and, given the rustiness of the tracks no trains had run for ages, we, as is our wont, ignored the warnings and set off for the cars.

It was about this time that Johnny encountered a problem. He had inherited a pair of walking shoes from someone who shall remain anonymous, but let’s call him Robert. The sole of his left shoe had become detached and was flapping about making it difficult to walk. Davie the senior produced a lace which Malcolm took pleasure, too much if you ask those who watched, in bending down and tying up the sole to the rest of the shoe. This made it possible for Johnny to make slow progress along the line.

This is the least attractive part of the walk as, combined with the afternoon heat, the ballast and sleepers made for uncomfortable walking. We really do need to find an alternative. Anyhow by the time Johnny and his minders reached the opencast again, his other shoe had fallen apart as well. Nevertheless, watch out for Johnny’s new range of footwear called ‘flip-flaps’!

The back markers reached the cars at about twenty-five past two with the distance being measured at 9.6 miles. Seven of us made our way to the Dalmellington Inn and its decked outdoor area for FRT and were rewarded with copious amounts of crisps and nuts from the barman.

A good, but tiring, day out.

The first obstacle of the day

The relentless climb up through the opencast

Benwhat memorial

Coffee stop

Benwhat war memorial

The great outdoors

No safety net required

Lethanhill and Burnfoothill war memorial

Approaching Dunaskin

Poor sole!