Bute 23rd September

Alan, Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Paul, Rex, Robert

After some heavy overnight rain, we were blessed with a beautiful late September morning for our trip to Rothesay on the 10.05 ferry from Wemyss Bay. Whilst onboard we decided that there would be two walks today, both involving taking the bus towards Kilchattan Bay. The ferry arrived on time, and the bus came on schedule taking us in and out of the Mount Stuart grounds (your scribe thinking that it took a different route in and out than before) before the driver obliged us by stopping at the WW1 war memorial. Six of us got off there whilst Alan McQ, Gus, Paul and Rex continued to the Kingarth Hotel.

 

From the memorial the six followed the track for a short distance until it met up with the West Island Way and this was the path we were to follow from there. Given the recent rain there were some wet bits to contend with, especially in the more sheltered sections, but nothing serious, and with the lovely overhead conditions, progress was good, and the going got better the further we walked. 

 

Having stopped for coffee, it wasn’t too long before Loch Ascog appeared on our right and at Lochend we hit tarmac again. On reaching the mainish road (B881) we had the option to follow the WIW down to Loch Fad but in order to save some aching limbs we stuck to the road down into Rothesay. On the way we passed the Leisure Centre, the same Centre that Davie had entered in May 2019 (was it really that long ago?) to get directions as to how to get out of Rothesay on a walk he had planned for Ettrick Bay. The receptionist was little help, and we did an alternative walk, still enjoyable. Reaching the castle, we took lunch in the sunshine before adjourning to the Taverna Bar, where Robert was reacquainted with his doppelganger, to await the others.

The six had been in the bar for about forty -five minutes when, at about quarter past two the four arrived having walked from the hotel in Kingarth along the road and to follow the WIW, eventually following in the steps of the six. However, they did take the path down to Loch Fad and came back into Rothesay using the road we have taken often in the past. The longer walk had been a tad over eight miles whilst the shorter had been five miles and a bit.

The four did not have time for a second pint before catching the three o’clock ferry, but some took advantage onboard to catch up. This had been a grand day out with the weather making all the difference and with the Firth of Clyde and surroundings looking at its best.

Some images from the longer Bute walk

Arrangements for Wednesday 30th September

Loch Spouts

Meet at the town green in Maybole for a 7 mile return walk to Loch Spouts. Optional longer route of 9 miles to include Kildoon Hill and Craigfin Hill.

Loch Doon and Gala Lane 16th September

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

As always, getting to the far end of Loch Doon and the car park at the castle, is a tricky wee drive but all made it, albeit that Robert was ten minutes late due to traffic congestion caused by a crash near Monkton. Davie drove on up to the next car park whilst the rest took stock of the conditions before setting off. It was dry initially, but the weather would change constantly with nice, warm sunny conditions followed by squally, light showers.

We first did this walk as a group just over three years ago (19 07 2023) and it was remembered mainly for wee Davie taking ‘no weel’ at the pub after the walk, so, with his lordship currently sunning himself abroad (he knew it was Spain, but don’t ask him where in Spain), we hoped there would be no traumas today and set off in good spirits. Walking down the road, which had had some work done on it recently, we took a left, passed by Davie’s car, and stopped briefly at the bridge over Carrick Lane. There was plenty of water in the lane which made for good photographs, but soon we were on our way again following the forest road towards our next stop at the bridge over Gala Lane, Most of the timber on either side of the road has been felled and removed meaning that the hills on either side were visible, that is when the weather didn’t close in, with the Rhinns of Kells on the left and The Galloway Forest hills on the right.

Arriving at the bridge we caught up with Davie and Isla and we decided to make this our coffee stop with some able to sit down by the wee waterfall, again good for photos. Moving on, and by about twenty past eleven, Hugh, who is having bother with his knees just now, decided he had had enough and would turn back, so to keep him company Allan, Johnny and Malcolm joined him and were back at the cars at twenty past twelve, where they took lunch and awaited the return of the others.

The main group continued up the road before turning off to the next bridge over Gala Lane where most turned back due to the underfoot conditions becoming too wet. Alan and Jimmy however, being intrepid as ever, went on to the final bridge before they turned back, having completed all of the day’s designated walk. They were well spread out on the way back with Gus and Paul the first back at half past one with the others a good, few minutes behind them. The main group had done eight and a half miles compared to the five and a half done by the four and all were ready for the Dalmellington Inn where a relaxing time was had before setting off for home.

N.B. Burns are called lanes down here.  

A few more images from the Gala Lane walk