Mauchline, Haugh, Viaduct, Howford 16th April

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

It was dry as twelve assembled in the car park at Mauchline for a circular walk to the Haugh and the Ballochmyle Viaduct, but with persistent rain forecast for later, we started early (9.50) and followed Alan McQ out through the town and on to Barskimming Road and then Haugh Road, down to the Haugh itself. Most had put on wet weather trousers from the beginning, and they proved to be a useful protection from the cold breeze, as well as hats, gloves etc.

As we entered the path through the gate we were greeted by a friendly, familiar face coming towards us. It was Isla, closely followed by Derval Davie who had parked at the old Howford Bridge road and had walked down to meet us. Having exchanged pleasantries for a few minutes we all set off towards the viaduct with Jimmy, Graham and Alan choosing the low riverside route whilst the rest took the higher path, assuming the low path would be a bit slippy. Coffee was taken under the arches before we set off again to the Howford Bridge for lunch. Most took the direct route whilst a few, Alan McQ, Jimmy, Graham and Davie C, veered off to visit the ‘cup and rings’.  DD stopped short of the bridge and made his way back to the Fisher’s Tryst for lunch and then back to his car.

The twelve made their way back down to the old bridge with Alan McQ and Jimmy choosing to get there by going straight down under the new bridge, just because they could! The rain had started, albeit a drizzle, but a persistent one, so the pace quickened as we went up the old road and cut in to the wood adjacent to the A76. At the Kingencleugh road end we found the pavement and along this we marched arriving back at quarter to one, almost three hours after having started and having covered between five and a half and six miles. Having managed to get changed in the wet, the Black Bull beckoned, and we had timed it nicely as it opened at one o’clock, and before long we were thirteen again. Thanks again for the usual hospitality, it is much appreciated!

We had got the best of the day as it was raining steadily as we left. Not a long walk by our standards, and at a moderate pace for the most part, but long enough to spare us from the worst of the weather.

 

Some from the Haugh walk

 

Arrangements for Wednesday 23rd April

Dunure to Doonfoot

Meet at the co-op in Doonfoot in time for the 10:33 bus to Dunure. We'll then walk six miles back to Doonfoot along the coast. 

Knock Hill 9th April

Alan, Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Jimmy, Rex

The grand weather continued for our Knock Hill walk i.e. blue skies, sunshine, but still a bit chilly in the shade, and so we didn’t waste any time in starting off. In fact, we were on our way from our usual parking spots in Largs by 9.50am as we assumed, rightly on this occasion, that we were all present. It was good to have Davie back with us and happy that he had chosen this walk to dip his toe in the water again!

Most progressed at a leisurely pace up the usual roads to Brisbane Mains Farm, now deserted, and up the track to our coffee spot where the odd layer or two was removed. Moving on up, the countryside looked good, if somewhat parched, but it was too hazy to make out much of Arran and the other hills in the distance. Underfoot was mainly dry, with only a couple of wee, wet bits to negotiate, which was surprising after all the recent dry weather. On approaching the hill itself there was the normal split with Alan McQ, Gus, Hugh, Jimmy and Rex going straight up whilst Davie and his minders took to the path round the outside. However, having gone about two-thirds of the way up, the smaller group came across Jimmy sitting beside the track starting to have his lunch. ‘Too cold up there’, he said, so the foursome sat down with him for their lunch. After all, it wasn’t as if they hadn’t been to the top before. Soon, the others came down and joined us for lunch overlooking the golf course and the firth, and in the sunshine, sheltered from any breeze.

Eventually it was time to move on down and across a very busy golf course, much busier than we have previously seem, no doubt due to Easter holidays and the good weather, and then down the road, past the boating pond and back to the town. Three hours for about seven miles were the stats.

FRT was taken at Drouthy Neebors where a pleasant hour was spent in the beer garden despite it still being a bit chilly in the sunshine.

 

Some from the Knock Hill walk

 

Arrangements for Wednesday 16th April

Mauchline Gorge

Meet at the Loudoun Street car park in Mauchline at 10am for a walk through the Mauchline Gorge to the Ballochmyle Viaduct.

Muirkirk walks 2nd April

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

The weather forecast for the week was excellent and today’s walks were to be blessed with wall-to-wall sunshine, but with a wee breeze to calm the temperature down a bit and make the walking more comfortable. At Kames the group split into two with Alan, Allan, Dougie Jimmy and Malcolm deciding to take a low-level walk out over Tibbie’e Brig and towards the loch, with the others opting to go up Cairn Table. Plans were made to meet up at one o’clock back at the cars.

The former sub-group stopped at McAdam’s cairn where Jimmy gave us the background to his work in roadmaking and his involvement in tar production although it was another McAdam who many years later would add tar to the chippings to produce tarmacadam. Moving on and passing over Tibbie’s Brig we followed the well-known track to the old railway line and continued along it, listening to another of Jimmy’s master classes, this time on the Covenanters, until the marker invited us to go right. Jimmy suggested going straight on towards the loch (the former opencast) and all agreed. At the first gate we were welcomed by a small herd of Aberdeen Angus bulls, wee wans thankfully, which then followed us all the way to the next gate, At the loch we dismissed the option to go left and go round it as we had to be back at one o’clock so we went right following a rough track. The plan was to get to the trees and then return via the boardwalk path. However, this track soon ran out and despite our efforts to find an alternative, a combination of a high fence and some very rough ground led us to stop, have lunch, and then retrace our steps.

The young bulls had made their way off the old railway line, but we had come across plenty other wildlife i.e. white horses, deer, alpacas (or maybe llamas), new-born lambs and birds – Jimmy knows what species. Arriving back at just after one o’clock we were surprised that the others had still not returned. After fifteen minutes we eventually made contact with them and were informed that they would be at least another twenty minutes, so we set off for the Black Bull in Mauchline for refreshments. To be fair, they were only about ten to fifteen minutes behind us. Both groups had done about six and a half miles and enjoyed the sit-ooterie at the pub. Of course, we received our usual hospitality, and thanks again to Karan for the sausage rolls and biscuits.

A guid day oot!

Some from the lower Muirkirk walk