Where's Holly?

Just for fun for the holidays. Holly got around in her 14 years. We'll give you a couple of weeks to puzzle over her whereabouts then we'll add captions.

Holly is crossing the stepping stones at Overmills just off the Ayr bypass. This is part of the Annbank to Ayr walk.

This is towards the end of the Greenock Cut with the Firth of Clyde in the background.

Some of the Ooters enjoying a pint outside the Sannox Bay Hotel which is unfortunately now closed.

Something has caught Holly's eye at Culzean Castle.

The top of Burn Road in Darvel showing the slopes of the Irvine Valley.

The clue is in the background; it's the golf ball (or in Davie's opinion the football!) on the top of Lowther Hill. This is the reservoir at the foot of Green Lowther.

Again the background gives it away  -  Ballochmyle Viaduct. Holly and Davie are on their way to Fishers' Tryst.

Holly was always first to the top of the big cairn on Cairntable at Muirkirk.

This might have had you scratching your heads if you weren't there on the day. It's the Cross Well in Linlithgow. 

 Holly and Kay are standing near Glenbuck Lodge.

A walk the Ooters have done many times; Tibbie's Brig at Muirkirk.

Another part of the Greenock Cut Walk on a glorious day.

This one may have posed a few problems. Holly is making her way towards Lochranza Castle.

Again the clue is in the background. It's the pier at Portencross.

Dalcairnie Waterfall, oops sorry Jimmy, Dalcairnie Linn at Dalmellington.

The lung bursting climb up Culter Fell with Tinto Hill in the background.

This is A McQ's bothy which we visited on our rain sodden walk between Talla reservoir and Broughton.

Probably one of the hardest. The three are having lunch beside a wind turbine on Windy Standard, New Cumnock.

Another hard one but both the foreground and the background are the clues. Holly is standing on the kiddies' playground at Loch Riecawr between Loch Bradan and Loch Doon.

One of Davie's favourite photos. This is Beinn Bharrain heading toward the last climb before heading down to Pirnmill on Arran. In Davie's opinion, this walk and the Rhinos of Kells walk are the two best walks the Ooters have ever done (excluding Mosset walks). Davie would  be interested to hear of your favourite walks.

With Arran in the background, (that's the clue) this is us having lunch on the top of Brown Carrick on a beautiful winter's day. Holly loved the snow as well.

Easy peasy. Dumfries House near Cumnock.

Holly is in New Lanark on the Falls of Clyde circular walk.

An old calendar shot! It's Dunure Castle.

The end of lunch at Loudoun old kirkyard near Galston.

The top of Loudoun Hill. Holly is hoping for a piece!

Standing the old Howford Brig with the new bridge in the background. judging by Johnnie and Davie's hair, it was a windy day.

St Blane's church on our Kilchattan Bay walk on Bute.

A teaser. The bridge in the background is the Gadgirth bridge between Stair and Annbank, part of the River Ayr Way.

Central Station, Glasgow. (Just kidding) Obviously Wemyss Bay station.

The loch is Loch Doon and Holly is standing on Blackcraig, not Coran of Portmark as some of you might have thought.

Update for 23 September

 Due to Covid restrictions the Portencross walk will not go ahead.

Hurlford to Galston 16 September

Allan, Billy, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Iain, Ian, Johnny, Malcolm, Robert

We set off on the Grougar Path on a very grey morning, keeping socially-distanced as per the guidelines. Robert had a record of all present so that Test and Protect protocols could be observed and we thanked him for his fastidiousness. When we reached Milton Road, we deviated from the tarmac on to the path which passes by the river and then across some fields. Thankfully, the going was not too bad although nettles proved to be an issue for those in shorts. Reaching the road again, Loudoun Kirk, our coffee spot, was reached about twenty past eleven, and everyone stuck to their own space.

We did not take the tarmac road to Galston, but took the track, again with only a few wee muddy bits, towards the A71, which we crossed, and found the path which took us to Portland Park. Having crossed the park, we walked up through the scheme to join the Chris Hoy Way for our return journey. Most continued on this path right into Hurlford, but a few, having reached the bridge over the Cessnock Water, took the alternative track, down off the tarmac, to reach the cars that way.

We were back at our starting point in a tad over three hours having covered the best part of nine miles, and, no, we did not stop a second time for lunch.

The weather had stayed dry but overcast, underfoot, on the overland bits, had been OK, and it was good to get some exercise and have a chat with the guys, an all -important part of keeping good mental health.

Arrangements for Wed 23rd Sept.

 Meet in the  Portencross car park at 10.00.a.m. The walk will be the Portencross circular.

9 September - Wanlockhead (the windy walk)

 Davie C, Davie M, Dougie, Gus, Paul, Robert, Billy, Hugh, Jimmy

It was breezy, with an autumnal chill in the air, when we met up outside the lead mining museum.  Whilst the hardy wore shorts the sensible ones donned woolly hats and gloves.

We made short work of the road walk up to the golf ball on Lowther Hill and soon after 11 am we were huddled in the lee of the radar station as we enjoyed our coffee break. 

The wind had been in our favour for the ascent but when we emerged from the shelter of the buildings and headed for Green Lowther we got the felt the full brunt of the crosswind which appeared to be gathering strength.  It wasn't a day for lingering on the top and following a photo opportunity we departed Green Lowther and headed down to the reservoir in the valley.  

The wind was now accompanied by light rain and were soon spread out along the length of the slope as people stopped to don waterproofs. Fortunately for the four at the back, Davie M knew a shortcut but what Davie described as a path looked like an expanse of heather to the other three. The rest had been long settled at their lunch spot by the reservoir, hogging the best seats, when those who had taken the short cut eventually arrived.

The sky had cleared and the wind had abated so we had a very pleasant lunch stop looking out over the sparkling waters towards the hills we had come down from. After our break we made our way to the station platform at Leadhills.  With no trains due we headed up the track to Glengonnar station - at 1500 feet, the UK's highest adhesion railway station. From there it was a pleasant stroll through the village to be back at the cars three and a half hours after leaving. Distance 7.5 miles.

A good walk in wonderful surroundings.