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

 

Arrangements for Wednesday 22nd October

Turnberry to Culzean 

Meet in Turnberry at the Lodge Road car park (where the A719 meets the A77) for a walk to and around Culzean Country Park.

Woollen hats

 If anyone wishes to order an Ooters woollen hat, let me know no later than next Monday, 20th Oct.

Allan 

Dean Castle to the Laird's Table

 Alan McQ, Bob, Davie C, Davie Mc, Malcom, Johnny, Jimmy,Gus, Paul, Rex and Hugh.

Since  our normal (?) reporter was smitten by the dreaded lurgy, and couldn't make the walk, it seems to have fallen to my lot (ie no other bugger willing to do it) to give a short account of our walk to Craufurdland lochan.

We left the carpark about five to ten, a bit apprehensive about the weather, but we were glad that no rain fell for the whole walk. The leaders shot off at a cracking pace on the paths we have covered before, but it is a walk with lots of left and then right turns with Derval Davie struggling to keep up so that he could keep sight of them and not go the wrong way which he could easily have done. We reached the Laird's Table about 11 with everybody except Davie and Isla opting to go for coffee. It has to be said that quite a few of them were disappointed with the fare on offer, complaining about the quality of the scones and empire biscuits. Davie remained outside with his flask of coffee enjoying watching the trout jumping in the loch. He got chatting to a fisherman who showed him his boobie (no, not his boabie); a boobie is a small fishing fly, so there!

After coffee we more or less retraced our steps back to the cars, arriving about 1pm. Jimmy's language was extremely colourful when he discovered that a bird (must have been some size of a bird) had shat on his car door handle! 

In the evening, minus Paul but plus Peter, Kenny T and Billy, we met at the Jewel again to celebrate Malcolm's 75th and Davie C's 70th birthdays. Most were resplendent in their new 20th anniversary polo shirts, including Katriona. We had a thoroughly enjoyable evening with your scribe learning for the first time that Davie C's nickname was Ben the Chan! 

We retired thereafter for a nightcap to Wetherspoons where Davie Mc, on mishearing the bargirl, ended up with a brandy and coke. So it was his turn to utter profanities! However this was a very pleasant day out, with a lovely meal and plenty of banter to follow.