Dailly and Barony Hill 5 July

 

Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Jimmy, Rex, Robert

There was no school traffic to hold us up so we were all present and correct in Dailly in plenty of time (even Derval Davie) for our circular walk up Barony Hill. It was a fine morning, not too warm and with a refreshing breeze to cool us down, as we set off in our accustomed direction out of the village. Crossing the main road, we headed up the track until it was time to climb the style and take the path, slightly overgrown, through the woods. Those at the front eventually took a wrong turning but soon realised their mistake and joined the rest of us on the higher path through the ‘stumps’. The path became less obvious, but we managed to follow it up to the road where an opportunity was taken to shed some layers.

Once we had passed Lindsayston Farm we took the tarmac road downwards and passed the field where the pigs used to have sty television, but no longer apparently, and no pigs on view. Alan was leading us at this point and took the first right, much to our consternation, as this was not the road we knew to Barony Hill, and we are, after all, creatures of habit. However, it transpired he was taking us up to the ruins of Kilkerran Castle where we stopped for coffee at about eleven o’clock.

Those of the more pessimistic amongst us thought that we would need to retrace our steps to get on to the road up past Whitehill Farm to the hill, but no, we continued on the track we were on until just before Dobbingstone Farm where we crossed a burn and then headed upwards over the fields and beside a dyke until we entered a field of cattle. Robert used his agricultural skills and his renowned diplomacy to scare away the beasts who had been beginning to show us some interest, and we proceeded up to a barbed wire fence which we followed until a gate was found. It was then the final push to the not-quite-top of the hill where we joined on to the path we recognised and could identify, by looking down, our more familiar route up the hill. The clear skies afforded us excellent views to Arran, Ailsa Craig and beyond, as well as the rolling Ayrshire countryside, and the cameras were well used.

Having got this far, and not having done this walk for a few years, your scribe had forgotten that there was still a long walk to the trig point at 1049 ft, but all became familiar as the walking became easier. It was midday exactly when we assembled at the trig point and again took time to take in the views with Ben Lomond picked out in the distance. As is our custom though, we made a quick descent to the lime kilns and had lunch by the burn.

It was a thought to move on, but move on we must, and it was down the track until we went through the gate into the Glengee Woods. After a short distance we reached the point where we normal turn up left to a narrow, and usually muddy, track into the woods, but, assuming it to be overgrown and difficult underfoot, the decision was made to follow the track we were on which led us past the Poundland cottages and down to the main road. This was a much easier route and cut a fair bit of time from our walk and would probably be the option of choice in the future.

Having crossed the main road we followed the path through the trees until the Water of Girvan was reached which was followed up to the ruins of Dalquharran and back into Dailly and the cars. It had taken four and a quarter hours to do the eight miles, although most thought it longer than that, and many thought that this had been the best walk of the year. The weather had been great for walking, underfoot had been good, the views brilliant and the new way up the hill was another box ticked.

FRT was taken at the Greenside’s sitooterie in Maybole where well deserved drinks were taken and where the banter was as irreverent as usual.

A great day out!