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.
