Blairquhan, Straiton 15th April

 

 

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

The forecast was for rain all morning, and it did not disappoint! The early birds took coffee in the Buck Tearoom on the Main Street in Straiton whilst the rest arrived. Jimmy had forgotten his waterproof jacket (what a day to forget it) but was soon kitted out by the gents’ outfitters amongst us and we were on our way just after ten o’clock. This was a new walk for most of us, so we kept our leader, Alan McQ, in sight as we left the village and turned left down the B741 before turning right through a gap in the hedge into a field populated by a couple of horses. The path led us down beside the Water of Girvan and up towards the minor road that took us on to the road up to Blairquhan Castle. The rain, although never chucking it down, was persistent and, in exposed areas, the wind was quite strong, but we continued in good spirits until our leader took us down a detour to the right to view a wee cemetery to the Hunter Blairs. Included were the two graves of servicemen who died in the second world war, which explained the sign we saw earlier denoting it as a Commonwealth War Grave.

From there it was a shortish walk up to Blairquhan Castle which we approached by turning left at the Garden Pond and observing the walled garden. The castle itself is a substantial and well-maintained building, as were the grounds, and we paused for a few minutes before following the road again, sheltered by the trees, down to the summer house/ boat house beside a small loch called Approach Loch. Unfortunately, we could not access the well-appointed house, so we had to settle for taking coffee outside under the canopy.

 

It was quarter to twelve when we got underway again with Alan McQ suggesting that we should walk further up the road to the waterfall (Linn) before turning back, saying it would probably add another couple of miles or so to the walk, but Alan, Allan, Davie, Malcolm and Robert decided to turn back there, given the weather. The rest marched on whilst the five retraced their steps back towards Straiton but this time sticking to the tarmac surface rather than following the riverside path and over the field. They were back at just after half-past twelve and by the time they had got changed, finished their pieces and Alan and Davie had gone into the tearoom for a bowl of soup, the others arrived back at five to one. Alan McQ had overestimated the distance to the linn, hence the earlier than expected return.

Paul and Robert went straight home but the rest headed to the High Society in Maybole for FRT, a new venue for us. We were well enough received and had the games room to ourselves, but it was a bit lacking in atmosphere. However, as the drink took its effect, the Ooters, in true Ooters style, livened thinks up with the conversation descending to its usual standard! A good time was had, the bill was surprisingly modest, and the rain had gone off by the time we left.

The bigger group had done six and a bit miles today, whilst the others had done just over five and a half in wet conditions, although it was not cold. On a better day this would be a good walk so maybe it can be repeated some time later in the year. On another note, the High Society is for sale, as was the Black Bull Hotel in Straiton, and also from last week, the Dalmellington Inn. Sign of the times, or is there an Ooters’ factor to it?

Some more images from the Blairquhan walk

 

Some images from the Blairquhan walk

Arrangements for Wednesday 22nd April

Erskine to Clydebank

Meet at the garden centre at Erskine at 9.30am for coffee then the walk alongside the canal to Clydebank for lunch at McMonagles.

Ness Glen, or not! 8th April

 

Alan, Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Graham, Gus, Hugh, Malcolm, Rex

We were gathering at the car park at Craigmark Burntonians’ ground on an overcast morning when wee Davie showed us his new, expensive, waterproof cap. As he was explaining the benefits of it, Alan ‘The Waterboy’ McQ decided to test it out by pouring a bottle of water over Davie’s head. The cap was certainly waterproof but, unfortunately, the rest of his clothes were not, and so it was rather a damp Davie who started his walk today, no doubt planning revenge!

The route was to be the normal figure of eight walk, but some decided that they would cut the walk short by not going up the glen which in effect was not to be a problem, as the Waterboy had heard that the glen was closed due to a landslip. We proceeded anyway, along by the Water of Muck and then up to Dalcairney Linn and stopped for coffee at the bridge over the burn. The day was perfectly still with no wind and, with the temperature slowly rising, we enjoyed our break.

Next, it was up the hill and over to Barbeth on the path which had recently been improved. From there it was down to the road up to Craigengillan passing some workers who were carrying out a burn on some of the longer, straggly grass. The group who were going to do the shorter walk, Alan, Allan, wee Davie, Derval Davie, and Malcolm thought about taking this road back to the cars, but Davie Major said that to go up and round at Craigengillan would only add about fifteen minutes. Sceptically, the rest agreed to this, knowing full well that it was’’ Davie minutes’ we were talking about. Anyway, all ten passed the big house and assembled at the foot of the glen.

The guys who were going to do the longer walk decided to forego the option of going up to the round house for lunch via the high path and returning the same way and agreed that, in order to get back to the cars at about the same time as the others, they would continue over the wooden bridge with us and head back to Dalmellington. However, whilst the group mentioned above took lunch at the bench just beyond the bridge, Alan McQ led the others up to The Cabins at the lagoon for their pieces before returning to the cars via Bellsbank, and arriving about fifteen minutes before the others who had returned the traditional way.

FRT was taken at the 'up-for-sale' Dalmellington Inn where a good time was had. Nevertheless, there is a tale to tell. Our youngest member meticulously recorded on a bit of paper the order for the second round. We were in consternation as the pints of light beer kept coming as only one had been ordered. He blamed the error on a smudgie pen, or words to that effect. A bad workman always blames his tools? Anyway, he had to scoff an extra pint himself whilst another was only half-drank as no-one wanted it. He is working hard at not being asked to do anything, following his faux pas with a tip at the Laird’s Table and now getting the order wrong today. Justice for wee Davie?

A good day out in what turned out to be excellent conditions. Seven and a half miles with the last to arrive back at the cars taking three hours and twenty-five minutes.

 

Some images from the Dalmellington walk

Arrangements for Wednesday 15th April

Straiton

Meet in Straiton for a walk around the nearby Blairquhan Estate (mostly flat along good tracks). Option of a coffee in the village café before we set off.

Kames to Loch Lapraik/Wellwood 1st April

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

Today’s walk was one that has been postponed on a number of occasions due to predicted adverse weather conditions and, although the forecast was for rain later, we set off from the car park at Kames on a dry and overcast morning with a chilly breeze. The first part was relatively straightforward, albeit with some puddles on the path, down to Tibbie’s Brig and then beyond to the old railway line. As we progressed though, the track got wetter and muddier, churned up by tractor tyres, which made the going not so pleasant. Going straight on, rather than turning to the right down towards the Covenanter’s memorial, the going got worse and we were glad to see the new loch, Loch Lapraik or Loch Wellwood, depending on which cousin you believe, emerge in front of us.

We were going to have coffee there but a combination of no suitable place to sit down and the rain having arrived encouraged us to continue on the path to the left which would take us round the loch. Unfortunately for some this meant going up the relentless hill until the track turned right on to a very muddy road, not helped by the passage of heavy lorries. Some took the chance to have a coffee there but most continued down towards a bridge for a break. However, on reaching there it was decided to take the track to the right which would take us eventually through the wee woods and down to the boardwalk. Luckily, there were convenient fallen tree trunks as we emerged from the woods, and this became our chosen spot for a stop. This allowed lunch to be taken and for the group to re-assemble, although Derval Davie decided to walk on to the boardwalk. By this time the light rain had gone off and, with a watery sun in the sky, the temperature rose to the extent that there was a thought as to removing wet weather gear. Fortunately, this thought was not acted upon as the rain came back as we caught up with Davie and was to stay on this time.

The path back was better than the one we had taken earlier although there were some tricky parts, but we passed above the aforementioned memorial and continued, past a couple of alpacas in a field, back on to the old railway line back towards Tibbie’s Brig. By this time the rain was much more persistent and by the time we got back to Kames (we were really, well strung out as per usual) it was heavy and we were soaking wet. So wet in fact that it was difficult to get changed into dry clothes and most choosing just to get in the cars and drive to the Black Bull in Mauchline. Nine miles or so in three and three quarter hours were today’s stats. It had not been a very enjoyable walk due to the rain and poor underfoot conditions, but at least this walk has been ticked off, and we will remember to do it again only when we’ve had a long dry spell.

As usual, we were warmly greeted in the pub, where, as per Malcolm’s request last week, our hostess made him a pina colada which he said was wonderful and complemented perfectly his sausage roll! You can take the boy out of Springburn, but you can’t take Springburn out the boy! A good time was had here as the rain pelted down outside and we must thank the Black Bull again for its hospitality. Malcolm’s next request is for ‘sex on the beach’. Say no more!

 

A few more from the Muirkirk walk

 

Some images from the MuirkIrk walk