Ness Glen 15 February

 

Allan, Dougie, Graham, Gus, Hugh, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert

The forecast was rain until about midday, so we were well wrapped up in wet weather gear as we set off at ten. There was only a slight drizzle though, and soon it went off leaving us with a dry and bright day for the familiar Ness Glen figure of eight. Progress was good and, before we knew it, we were at Dalcairnie Linn. Most stayed on the track whilst Paul and Rex took Graham down to have a look at the falls. Next stop was for coffee at our usual place just short of Barbeth where we had a great view over the loch and beyond. We could have sat there a while longer, but we needed to get a move on, so we continued on the track and down to the muddy bit where the horses usually assemble. They were there and so was the mud, but, to be honest, we had seen it worse, and underfoot generally was decent given the time of year.

Graigengillan was passed and at five past twelve we were at the start of the glen. Johnny and Robert left us here and made their way back to Robert’s car. Robert needed to be home early and Johnny is still not at his peak, so eight of us made our way up towards the dam. The water was roaring and parts of the path were trickier than your scribe remembered, but we made our lunch spot at the benches beside the Roundhouse in just under twenty minutes. As we ate and conversed it was announced that Nicola Sturgeon had decided to step down. This led to a break in our banter as it came as quite a surprise to all and sundry. In any case, where was Johnny when you needed him?

Some of the layers that had been removed earlier in the walk had been put back on as sat and had lunch, but they started to be removed again as we took the high path back to the footbridge which would take us on to the final leg of our walk. As usual, the last part on the tarmac seemed to go on forever, partly because we were getting tired by this time, and we were pleased when we reached the cars again at the football ground at exactly two o’clock, four hours for the ten miles.

FRT was taken in the Dalmellington Inn where the punters were well involved in the horse racing on the telly. A satisfying time was had here topped off when the coffees came with caramel logs. A good day out in better than expected weather!