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

 

Some images of the walk up Cairntable

Featuring Alan McQ, Graham, Gus, Hugh, Paul and Rex

Arrangements for Wednesday 9th April

Knock Hill

Meet in Largs at 10am for a walk up Knock Hill.

Cumbrae 26th March

Alan McQ, Allan, Dougie, Hugh, Jimmy, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul, Rex

Despite the roadworks at Seamill most were at Largs in plenty of time for the 10.15 ferry and had time for a coffee prior to boarding. There was still a cold breeze, and it was a bit overcast, but there was a promise of some sunshine later in the day, so a good day’s walking was anticipated. It has to be noted that Paul, just back from Bath, was sternly rebuked for not coming prepared with a lectern and projector for a much-anticipated talk on Georgian architecture. It’ll keep for another day was the verdict. There was a bit of excitement though as the ferry seemed to do a wee dance halfway across, maybe in celebration of the postponement of the talk!

On arriving on Cumbrae a short discussion was had regarding the route, with clockwise being the favourite, but since we were going to have lunch at the Garrison café it was felt we would arrive there too early, so anti-clockwise won the day, It was one of those days when it was cold in the wind but  pleasant when sheltered from it and with sunshine beginning to break through we marched on before stopping briefly when we encountered a group of P7 kids and their teachers who were on a residential course and were enjoying a raft-building morning on one of the wee beaches.

The next stop was at the benches at Fintry Bay for coffee. It had taken about an hour to get there, and a restful fifteen minutes was spent overlooking the firth. Just beyond there was the opening that could take you up to Millport via the golf course. Underfooot was dry so Alan, Hugh, Jimmy and Paul decided to take this option whilst the remainder stayed on the coast road. As they approached Millport they admired the new sea walls that had been constructed, a feature they were to come across again later. It was just after half-past twelve when they got to the sit-ooterie at the café and met up with the others who had been there for twenty minutes, cutting about a mile off the walk.

All decided to return to the ferry by going up Ferry Road and, on passing the new sea defences, they noted that the standard of the landscaping around the walls i.e. the grass seeding, was of a poor standard. A pity since a vast amount of money had been spent on the walls themselves. Progress up Ferry Road was brisk and, as we approached the main coast road, we could see the ferry leaving Largs. The pace quickened, especially for the backmarkers, and the two o’clock ferry was made by all. Those who had done the longer walk had completed, we think, a tad over nine miles in three and a half hours including the coffee and lunch stops.

The Drouthy Neebors was busy inside so outside in the beer garden was the only option, and we had it all to ourselves. Like last week, it was on the chilly side, so it was no surprise about that, but we made the most of it and treated ourselves to a plate of chips with our drinks. Mind you, one plate amongst the nine of us. The chips were rationed!