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

 

Wednesday 5th November : Portencross Circular

Meet at Portencross for the circuit round by Hunterston with the option of a walk over Goldenberry Hill.

Calendar 2026

I propose to compose a calendar for 2026. Given that we are 20 years old, I'll try and incorporate pictures showing those who have been members at some point over the years as well as some fresh pictures.

Please let me know by Monday 3rd November whether you want one, or more than one.  You can just tell me when we walk or e-mail or WhatsApp me.

Price to be determined but shouldn't be much more than last year. 

Turnberry to Culzean 22nd October

 

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

We had encountered some heavy rain showers on the way to Turnberry, but it was dry when we got there, and nobody decided to don waterproof trousers in anticipation of some better weather. Indeed, the weather was most kind to us and we experienced a much better and drier day than expected.

Leaving the Lodge Road car park, we crossed the main road and headed down to the beach which we followed to the lighthouse, where we stopped to admire the views for a few minutes and were politely reminded that we should not have arrived there by crossing the golf course but followed the designated route of the Ayrshire Coastal Path. No harm done, we then made our way down to Maidens Road and walked to the benches at the harbour where Derval Davie and Isla were waiting for us. A pleasant fifteen minutes were spent here having coffee in the sunshine before walking along the path and then the beach to Culzean and up to the Swan Pond. A brief discussion took place as to whether to turn back from there or continue further into the country park and, with most siding with continuing, we left Davie and Isla to do their own thing and make their own way back whilst we made our way up to the thatched howff in the walled garden for lunch.

Alan then led us out to the ‘Lion Gates’ and then down to the old railway line which we followed back down to the shore front at Maidens. Contact was made with Davie who was starting to leave Culzean at this point and we agreed to meet up at the Cassillis in Maybole later. Four Ooters, Alan, Hugh, Graham and Paul, decided to walk back to Turnberry via Shanter Road whilst the rest retraced their steps along the pavement beside the main road. We could see the four walking parallel to us for most of the way and, as we approached the lodges at Turnberry, they emerged just in front of us so that all were reunited for the last part of the walk back to the cars. We were back at two o’clock having covered ten miles, the longest we have walked in a wee while and, for some, it felt like it.

We had won a watch with the weather, had encountered great views of Ailsa Craig and beyond and had benefited from lovely autumn colours as we had walked, and were now ready for much needed FRT which, as suggested above, was taken at the Cassillis in Maybole where we were joined by Davie and Isla. This was a new haunt for us, but we were well received and accommodated ourselves in the back room/cocktail bar/ dance area which no-one else was using. We spent a good hour there despite the fact that the guys who ordered the cider called’ Outcider’ classified it as ‘rotten’. They didn’t order a second pint of it!

On travelling home most encountered very long tail backs approaching the roundabouts in Ayr making this a long, but somehow rewarding, day.

 

Some images from the Turnberry to Culzean walk

 

Arrangements for Wednesday 29th October

Failford Gorge

Meet in Failford for the walk to Stair and return.

15 October 2025 - Falls of Clyde

 Rex, Alan M, Paul, Jimmy, Gus, Hugh, Robert, Jimmy, Davie M, Ian

Nine Ooters gathered at Kirkfieldbank, with Davie arranging to meet us further into the walk.

We chose the usual clockwise circuit and Jimmy's photos are witness to the autumn colours we experienced on the walk ... but it has to be said it was a bit of a 'meh' kind of day.  The high pressure stuck over the UK  meant there was no rain, there was no sun, there was no wind, it wasn't hot, it wasn't cold, the light was a bit flat with the cloud cover, there wasn't much water in the Clyde, the Falls were unimpressive, ... (that's enough gloom, Ed).

So anyway, after a coffee stop at New Lanark we crossed the river and duly met Davie, having previously been hailed by him from across the gorge.  Isla was delighted to see us and no doubt Davie was too although he was more restrained.  We had a very early lunch overlooking the falls and completed the walk in the usual three and a bit hours. 

We were in the Black Bull, Darvel by 2 pm. The pub was busy, with hygge lights enhancing the air of conviviality.  No free food for the Ooters (don't mention the crisps) but Isla was offered a doggie treat.  The usual hour of banter and nonsense ensued! 

It was definitely the highlight of the day. 

It got me thinking of previous visits to New Lanark so I did a little research.  19 trips are recorded in the annals although one, in 2016,  seems to have been a solo effort by Davie M. Was the visit 'officially' called off because of bad weather?

For your scribe, two trips stand out. 

September 2009. Johnny's ailing car. Lost near Lanark, Dog whispering gone wrong. A lost wallet. A trip home for Johnny and Allan in the cab of an AA truck. Not bad for one Ooters day out.

January 2011.  Bambis on ice (apart from Rex and his Yak Trax).

The Register:

Moral of the story: There's a lot to be said for 'normal' Scottish weather.

Postscript: spare a thought for the two badgers, in perfect condition (well, apart from being dead) that were lying together on the road near Auchenheath. A sad sight.

A meline mural in memoriam.

 

Some images from the Falls of Clyde walk