Friday 28 November 2014

Kilmarnock to Irvine 26 November



Alan, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Gus, Jimmy, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul, Peter, Rex, Robert

We were to be well fed today. On arrival at Alan’s house coffee and bacon rolls were served up and when the walk was completed Johnny provided us with bread, soup, pies and beer. Gus also chipped in with some of his home-made bread to complete the gastronomic delights. A big thank you to all the guys for their work and hospitality!
Looking up from the viaduct to the bridge in use today
The walk itself was one we have done before but Alan suggested adding a bit on to it by heading towards Caprington and following the river from there. Those of us who had come prepared for a tarmac walk were a bit sceptical when he said there were a couple of muddy bits but he had done this walk recently and recommended it. And so we headed out of the Grange estate and made our way towards Dundonald Road. It was as we left the access road to Mount Village that a grumpy motorist informed us that this was a private road. He received short shrift and we proceeded across the main road and up past Gargieston P.S. heading towards Holmes Road which took us under the by-pass and up towards Bridge Lodge. We turned off the track before reaching the Lodge and followed the path by the River Irvine all the way down to Gatehead. There were indeed a couple of rather muddy sections but thankfully they were soon negotiated by those with boots, not so soon for those in trainers!
As we approached Gatehead, those who knew described the history of the area including the remains of the mining village of Old Rome. (It is worthwhile taking a look on Wikipedia at the history of Gatehead, Old Rome etc.).
Our next target was Laigh Milton Mill and there was an option to take the road past the Cochrane Inn or go back down towards the river and ‘attack’ the mill via the restored Laigh Milton viaduct. Robert, Davie C and Johnny took the dry option and the rest of us took the riverside path once more.
As we took this route we had a great view of Fairlie House – or Fairlie Five Lums - across the river. Named on account of its five chimneys, the estate was the workplace of Willam Burnes, Robert Burns’ father, for two years before he moved to Alloway,
The mill is looking very sad
As we approached the viaduct the temperature was rising and jackets started to come off. Having inspected the bridge and checked out its history, we had to negotiate the muddiest part of the walk, only perhaps ten to fifteen yards but enough to cause an issue for the company. Soon however we were on our way and made Laigh Milton in no time at all to be greeted by ‘What kept you?’  The mill itself is in a sorry state of disrepair and would be an ideal candidate for ‘Grand Designs’.
Coffee was called for by some, but the rest decided to walk on down past the entrance to the Craig House estate and on towards Springside where they waited for the rest to catch up. The cycle path was taken from there down past Dreghorn and Bourtreehill and emerging at Park’s garage. At this point we encountered pupils from Greenwood Academy out for their lunch and some were keen to know where we were going. ‘Edinburgh’ was the reply which was met with gasps of respect. Pity the pupils couldn’t respect their environment a bit more as the pathway was strewn with the remains of polystyrene carry-out boxes and general litter. One of the disappointing things about the day – the only disappointing thing –was again seeing the amount of rubbish that had been dropped or dumped beside the paths.
Approaching the viaduct
Johnny then led us through a maze of paths taking us into and then out of an industrial estate before emerging close to our destination in Bank Street. Three and a half hours, start to finish, a good step out as they say and, as has been said previously, the hospitality was first class.
As part of the après-walk festivities we discovered a new challenge to add to our initiation ceremonies for potential new Ooters. Not only have they got to complete the normal tasks – too secret to divulge here - but they have to be drinking a pint of gooseberry cider at the same time!

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