Benwhat, Lethanhill, Burnfoothill 4 January

Alan McQ, Allan, Andrew D, Davie Mc, Gus, Ian, Jim, Jimmy, Kenny T, Malcolm, Paul, Robert

Meeting at the entrance to Chalmerston, we exchanged New Year greetings and welcomed Alan McQuiston, still actively engaged at the chalk face (or maybe the smartboard face would be more accurate) and Andrew, Jim’s son, fresh from saving the Borders from floods and a partner in the civil engineering firm Dinnett, Dunnit and Dammit.
We couldn’t have had better weather for the first outing of the year with an overnight frost on the ground and bright, clear blue skies above. Just after ten we headed up the access road and went straight on before following the track to the left towards the remains of Benwhat (or Benquhat). The rapid pace up the road meant that it was not too long before some layers were discarded in the sunshine. Underfoot conditions had been good so far and there was no cold wind to speak of. Coffee was taken at the Benwhat marker stone whilst Davie contemplated our next move. The plan was to follow the path of the old railway and he decided to head upwards to find it, despite being advised that it was below us. Undeterred he crossed over some really wet and boggy terrain before disappearing up to his oxters (only slight exaggeration). At the sight of the conditions ahead and, in the knowledge that the railway was thirty metres below us, the majority turned back and found the path with ease. Davie was joined by Alan, Paul and Robert and proceeded up the side of the hill to the war memorial before coming down to rejoin us further along the track. By this time underfoot conditions were variable ranging from the good to the wet. As we trekked towards the forest which contains the remnants of Lethanhill, Gus was seeking help with some crossword clues. Eventually when asked where we were actually heading, he said ‘Four across, five down, No more questions!’
Just beyond the forest is the Lethanhill and Burnfoothill war memorial, and this is where we stopped for lunch, overlooking the valley and Patna. A low sun and the neighbouring trees meant that we were in the shade whilst we ate, a piece of poor planning if ever there was one! Can’t get the staff these days!
Heading off downhill we came to the ‘inclined plane’ and the remains of the winding house?

Where's Peter when you need him?

Going down

Interesting brickwork caused some discussion, with the consensus of opinion being that the angle of the bricks would be at right angles to the wires for added strength. The industrial heritage centre was soon reached, but little time was spent exploring as we set off along the railway track back towards the access road to Chalmerston. This part of the walk was not too pleasant as walking on the stone ballast and avoiding the slippy sleepers proved to be a challenge. Nonetheless, we arrived back at the cars in just under four and a half hours, having had a good, but tiring, at least for the less fit of us, day out in excellent conditions.

Who him?

Scotrail's new rolling stock arrives

FRT was taken at the Dalmellington Inn.