Ness Glen 27 December

Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Ian, Jimmy, Robert

Seven Ooters took the opporchancity to work off the excesses of Christmas by meeting up at Dalmellington on a bright, but cold, late December morning. The journey down had been challenging due to the low sun and dirty windscreens, which had not been cleared due to washers being frozen, but spirits were high as this was the perfect day for our Ness Glen walk.

Crossing the main road, we turned right into the Promised Land and followed the Muck up to our next stretch of tarmac. The going was good underfoot, and above, a wonderful blue sky. We crossed the Doon at the wooden footbridge and set off up towards Dalcairney, or is it Dalcairnie? The road surface was good with only a few, small sections affected by ice, and before long Dalcirney Linn was reached. Jimmy, Alan and Ian had approached the waterfall from below, whereas the rest had just followed the road. Coffee was called for, but a decision had been made, let’s say by the dug, to have our break at the bench further up, offering us fine views back over Bogton Loch and beyond and round towards Bellsbank.

With the ground being solid, the next leg down to the road  to Craigengillen was easy and we were thankful that we did not have to negotiate the mud which would have been the norm in milder conditions. Craigengillen was soon passed and as we headed down to the start of the gorge we decided to go low up the gorge and come down the high route. Thankfully, the going up the gorge was, in the main, easy, as the path was still soft and afforded good grip. However, the wooden walkways were treacherous and great care had to be taken whilst traversing them, Fortunately, leaves had accumulated at the sides of these wee bridges and these were used to gain grip whilst holding on to the guard rails.
Wee Davie and his escorts, Jimmy, Ian and Allan, reached the dam five minutes or so behind the others, and found the three amigos on the rocks on the promontory out onto the Loch Doon. Lunch was taken here, but we didn’t delay as it was decidedly cool on this exposed position, particularly as backs, damp with sweat, were getting cold.

Returning by the higher route, passing Fort Carrick and the remains of Tracey’s bench, we were back at the footbridge at the foot of the gorge after half an hour and were pleased to see estate workers repairing it at last. We left them to their task and crossed at the wooden road bridge before heading along the track and eventually on to the road which took us back to the cars. This last wee bit along the tarmac always seems to take an age, particularly as we didn’t stop at the benches, a regular stop when we start this walk form Loch Doon.

Our walk had taken four hours and twenty minutes and was between nine and ten miles. FRT was taken at the Dalmellington Inn where there were just as many soft drinks as alcoholic ones.
A cracking day out!