Maybole, Kildoon Hill, Lochspouts 30th September

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

The overnight rain had passed and, with a forecast of dry weather ahead, thirteen Ooters met up at the Greenside in Maybole. Derval Davie decided that the planned walk was not suitable for Isla and him, so set off to walk from Maidens to Culzean, promising to meet up with us at the High Society later on.

Twelve of us, therefore, made our way down out of Maybole, up Allan’s Brae and continued down over the wee ford towards the turn-off for Kildoon Hill. Seven took to the hill whilst Allan, Killie Davie, Hugh, Johnny and Malcolm stuck to the road round the hill agreeing to meet up with the others at Lochspouts. The five made their way round to Lower Burncrooks before going left up to the gate that leads across and up the field to the reservoir. Hugh didn’t fancy coming downhill from there, so they turned back and took brunch just beyond the cattle grid. As they were getting ready to move off the rest of the guys appeared, having done the hill and were heading for Lochspouts for lunch. We were also joined by a local who was there to tend his cockerels which were in the field but were ‘hiding’ today.

The five retraced their steps back to the cars at the Greenside and took the remains of their pieces at the benches in the warm sunshine. The weather had stayed dry and bright, but with a wee wind in non-sheltered spots, making for good overhead walking conditions!. Alan phoned Allan to say that the larger group had reached the High Society only to find it closed due to holidays so it was agreed that we would just go into the Greenside for FRT. The main group had done a tad over eight miles whilst the smaller group had done about six and a half, with the latter arriving back at quarter to one and the rest about half an hour later.

It dawned on us that Derval Davie might not know where we were so phone contact was made, to no avail as he was driving, but as we sat down to our drinks in the sitooterie Davie phoned asking where we were. As Allan tried to explain exactly where we were there were cries of ‘Tell him tae pit the dug oan!’ No matter, he arrived safely just in time for the rain to start, so we went inside where we were well-received. A pleasant hour was spent, with the treasurer having his arm twisted to allow us to have chips. He agreed, and four portions of chips were devoured by the thirteen of us. By the time we left the sun was shining again to complete another good day out.

Some images from the Kildoon Hill and Loch Spoot walk

 

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.