Largs to Kelburn 26th November

 

Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Dougie, Graham, Gus, Hugh, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul, Rex

 

If it wasnae for the Ooters where would you be?

Having a cup of coffee or a nice wee cup of tea

Instead, we’re up at Largs getting a soaking by the sea

Isn’t life a blast wi’ the Ooters?

 

By the time we arrived in Largs the forecast rain had arrived, and the sensible decision was made that we would walk to Kelburn and then return. It was a six-brolly day as we set off but soon all were taken down as the wind had whipped up as we moved along the promenade and towards the ‘Pencil’. We had the briefest of stops here before continuing past the marina and up the access road to Kelburn. We considered going into the café as a wee treat, given the conditions, but were saddened to see that it only opened Thursday to Sunday, so we made do with the sheltered area under the canopy in the courtyard for coffee.

 

There was some thought about just turning back from there but an inspection of a map showing the layout of Kelburn indicated an out and back route going up the glen beside the burn to a waterfall and this is what we chose to do. Even in the poor conditions it was quite picturesque, but it wasn’t a day for standing around and admiring the scenery, even though there was some shelter from the elements, and before too long we arrived at the bridge over the burn. Most crossed over and took a higher route back down to the castle whilst Davie and his minders retraced their steps to rejoin the others at the aforesaid Kelburn Castle bedecked in its now famous, or infamous, multi-coloured murals.

By this time the steady rain had increased in intensity, and we were well and truly soaked by the time we arrived at the covered shelter at the seafront for lunch. It was only a hop, a skip and a jump back to the cars but there was no point in trying to get changed in the pouring rain, so we made our way to the Drouthy Neebors for FRT. Fortunately, the pub was quiet and we had the back room to ourselves which afforded us to dry off clothes and for some to get changed in the toilet. Our chancellor decided to open the purse strings to the Ooters welfare budget and ordered up four plates of chips to cheer us up, and very good chips they were!

Despite the conditions, (it had been the wettest day we’ve had in a long time), the hour and a half spent in the pub lifted the spirits immeasurably and we set off for home in good cheer despite it still lashing down. For the record we had done a tad over six miles in two and three-quarter hours.

Arrangements for Wednesday 3rd December

Glasgow

Meet at the Counting House in Glasgow for a guided walking tour of "Secret Glasgow" led by local guide Kevin which will start from George Square at 10am prompt.

Darvel to Galston 19th November

Alan, Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Hugh, Jimmy, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul, Robert

We have to thank Kay and Davie for their hospitality in providing coffee and scones as we assembled in Darvel on a bright, crisp, cold, early winter’s morning. It was good to see Kay, despite her incapacity, and we wish her a speedy recovery from her broken leg. 

The plan was to walk to Galston and so we set off just after 10 o’clock along the riverside path. There were only a few icy patches on the path, although care had to be taken when negotiating them, and there were a few near misses regarding falling on one’s posterior, but, in the main, this was turning out to be a very pleasant walk indeed.

On reaching the far away entrance to Lanfine estate Davie and Isla turned up through the estate to return home from there whilst the rest continued to Newmilns.

Most were in favour of continuing on the path to Galston but Alan McQ, Dougie, Hugh, Jimmy and Paul wished to extend the walk and turned up Windyhill Road. Those who stayed low reached Galston about ten minutes to twelve just in time to get the bus back to Darvel and to take up Davie’s generous offer to allow us to have our lunch in the house. Thanks again, Davie. It was just after one o’clock when the Black Bull beckoned and drinks were consumed whilst awaiting the rest.

The five boys (remember the chocolate?) had left the tarmac and had gone through Cessnock wood adjacent to Burn Anne before emerging on to tarmac. They took a wee diversion to the cemetery to find the grave of Robert Stirling, local minister and inventor of the engine that carries his name, before deciding not to be wimps like the other group and walking back to Darvel along the riverside path arriving at the pub about ten past two. They had covered the best part of ten miles compared to the five of the others and all enjoyed the camaraderie of the group. The Black Bull itself was very quiet, and we wondered yet again how such establishments survive.

This had been a perfect day for a walk and the sun was just beginning to go down as we left for home.

Some images from the Irvine Valley walk

 

Arrangements for Wednesday 26th November

Largs

Meet in Gogo Street, Largs where we'll decide where to walk on the day depending on the weather. Options could include Cumbrae, Knock Hill or Kelburn Country Park.

Calendar 2026

The calendars will be available from tomorrow 19th Nov. There are more group photos than normal to try and include those who have walked with us over the last twenty years.

20th anniversary price is £5 per calendar. Payment by cash or to the usual bank account.

Allan 

Ayr, Alloway, Doonfoot 12th November

Alan, Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Dougie, Graham, Gus, Hugh, Jimmy, Johnny, Rex, Robert

After the recent rain it was dry as we met at Belleisle, and there was even the prospect of a bit of blue sky  as we set off across the golf course towards Rozelle. Most took in the Burns-themed Hallowe’en experience in the big house whilst others headed straight for the gallery to look at the exhibition meaning that this was a leisurely start to today’s outing.

From here we made our way to the Burns memorial gardens for coffee before continuing to the Brig o’ Doon. There were a number of tourists there who were interested in the significance of the brig and Jimmy didn’t need much persuading to recite an excerpt from Tam o’ Shanter to them. Whether they understood a word is open to debate, but they seemed well pleased. Jimmy then offered his hat for donations, but nothing was deposited, at least nothing of a monetary nature. Well done, Jimmy, anyway!

We walked across the brig and followed Alan McQ up the other side and then on to the cycle path turning back the way to take in the Alloway Tunnel and its murals. We were fortunate to meet one of the chaps behind the project who gave us some information regarding the work before also meeting the muralist himself, Chris Rutterford, who was very obliging. Turning back, we then headed out along the path before eventually emerging above Greenan Castle. On the way from here to the Millennium Bridge we came across another set of walkers of our own vintage and the Killie boys were pleased to recognise a former colleague who shared some time with us.

The next port of call was the benches adjacent to Ayr India and the Remedy café where lunch was taken. On the way back to Belleisle from there our guide for the day, Alan, showed us a post box with the initials E V111 R indicating Edward the Eighth. Quite a rarity you would imagine given the history of the abdication and the fact that he was never crowned, if your scribe’s memory is correct.

We were back at the cars by two o’clock having covered a tad over seven and a half miles according to Johnny’s gizmo. A good step out at not too brisk a pace. FRT was taken at the Market Inn where we were disappointed to hear that they were awaiting a delivery and that the selection of beers on offer was very restricted. Nonetheless, a good time was had before setting off for home.

Some images from the Alloway walk

 

Arrangements for Wednesday 19th November

Darvel to Galston

Meet in Darvel for a walk to Galston with option of bus back. Hopefully Derval Davie and Isla can join us.

Portencross 5th November

Alan, Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Dougie, Graham, Gus, Hugh, Johnny, Paul, Rex

For the second week running it was pouring as we met, and the forecast indicated that there would be no let-up until early afternoon. There was no dissent to the notion that we would avoid Goldenberry Hill and simply do the weel-kent circular walk in the clockwise direction. Leaving the car park at Portencross and passing by the castle, the first section across the field was the wettest part underfoot and, with no shelter, it was a task to keep the umbrellas under control in the stiff breeze, but soon we were on tarmac at the power station. 

Marching on in the very dreich conditions, we eventually turned off the road onto the path which starts our return journey, and we stopped at the stones, our usual coffee spot. Not today however, as there was no shelter there, so we continued along the bridle path until we had some tree cover, and we took a break there. It was not a day to linger so we continued to the main road and then turned back towards Thirdpart passing some miserable looking cattle and a llama, or perhaps an alpaca*, in the fields. The final leg down Portencross Road is always a slog but, after being well-strung out, we were all back at the cars by quarter to one having done 7.3 miles.

Getting changed when it is raining is always a challenge but thankfully it began to ease and by the time we had had our pieces it was off, just in time to make our way to the Lauriston. Jings and crivens, help ma boab! The Sports bar, our usual haunt, was closed and was not to open until four o’clock but the lounge bar was empty, and we made ourselves comfortable there for an hour and a half. The walk had been miserable, but we had done our steps for the day and enjoyed our refreshments as well as the usual banter in the hotel where we treated ourselves to chips. 

For those who weren’t present, here is a teaser: If the answer is 50%, what is the question? 

*Alpacas are smaller, gentler animals with soft fleece prized for textiles, while llamas are larger, have a coarser double coat, and are often used as pack animals due to their protective and independent nature. Key differences include their size (llamas are significantly larger), face shape (alpacas have blunt faces and short ears, llamas have longer faces and longer, "banana-shaped" ears), and fibre quality. 

 

Arrangements for Wednesday 12th November

Alloway/Ayr

Meet at the carpark at Belleisle for a walk around Alloway/Ayr which will include a visit to the Rozelle Gallery and the mural in the Alloway Railway Tunnel.

Failford Gorge 29th October

 

Alan, Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Dougie, Graham, Gus, Hugh, Jimmy, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul, Rex 

Heading down the A77 towards the Sandyford roundabout the rain was falling in biblical proportions and was to continue as we headed for Failford. It didn’t let up and there were some, you can guess who, who didn’t want to leave their car, but by ten o’clock most were huddled together in the bus stop in the hope that the rain would abate. It was twenty past when all were ‘ready’ to go even although it was still chucking it down and, with a plan to walk to Peden’s Pulpit in place, we made our way on soggy paths.

On the first flight of steps, we encountered a cascade of water coming down them but eventually we reached drier ground and reached our target. There was a new barrier erected, at least new to your scribe who hadn’t been there for a couple of years, to prevent access to the steps to the pulpit, and so, after a few minutes, we retraced our steps back to junction of the paths. By this time the rain had eased off, so another decision was made that we would walk up to the bench and return by the higher path. Nobody took the lower riverside path, and all reached the aforementioned bench in better spirits, as the rain had gone and there were blue skies to be seen. Re-evaluating the situation, it was then agreed we would walk up to the style at Daldorch Farm before returning, but, in the event, we were back at the bench within five minutes as the path ahead was unpassable due to flooding.

Coffee was taken before we started on the way back with some choosing to take the lower route along the riverside whilst the rest stayed on the upper path. Meeting up again, we then continued high before remembering to take the path on our right down to our starting point. We were back at the cars by about quarter past twelve having covered four and a half miles or so and, after getting changed, we consumed the rest of our pieces before heading up to the Black Bull in Mauchline for FRT. After a very wet start, the day had turned out fine, albeit that the walk had been cut short. 

Given that the pub didn’t open until one o’clock, the locals were presented with the sight of a group of retired professional gentlemen, with tongues hanging out, awaiting its opening. What has the world, or the Ooters, come to? Nonetheless, the door eventually was opened by what looked like the cleaning lady and we all poured in. She was trying to accommodate us but within a few minutes the regular barmaid arrived to the applause of the assembled company and normal service was resumed. A good hour and a half was spent here and we were again treated to sausage rolls and biscuits. Many thanks again to our barmaid of the year. 

On getting home some were told by their better halves that they had encountered little or no rain showing just how localised the deluge had been.

Some images fro a soggy walk at Failford today. Please excuse the pictures as my camera was becoming waterlogged.

Just a trifle moist.

How many Ooters can be squashed into a bus shelter?

Fish ladder?

And the sun came out.

Droothy Ooters