Dun Fionn and the Clauchland Hills 22 August

Alan, Allan, Davie C, Gus, Jimmy, Kenny T, Paul, Robert

The forecasters had got it right because the overnight rain had cleared by the time we reached the ferry terminal at Ardrossan. Allan, Kenny and Paul had boarded and were wondering if anyone else was coming as the time moved on, but, at the last minute, the rest of the guys appeared – roadworks and diversions in Irvine. The new terminal in Brodick is modern but you need to watch your head when disembarking and the walkway goes on forever, not handy for the less able.

Anyway, today’s walk should have been straightforward! Leaving the terminal, we turned left and headed up to the turn-off towards Corriegills, and by this time the weather was pleasant, meaning that we were down to shirt sleeves. Following the access road, we made good progress, not paying much attention to a wee sign on our left, not too far from the start of the hill path, saying that the route from Lamlash to Brodick was closed due to logging. As we reached the aforementioned path, we met a couple coming the other way who advised us that the going was difficult, but possible with care. So, we dodged under the rope barrier across the path, ignored the warning sign (as is our wont), and started to climb. After a wee while, we could hear trees being felled well above us, but the biggest problem was the timber and the debris covering the path. The logs (to be fair there were few of them) were crossed fairly easily, but the branches, which the machines had trimmed from the trees, caused us issues. Not easy walking at all! As we carefully made our way, we met a bloke coming the other way who was from the Yarm School in North Yorkshire. He sympathised with us and asked, if we met a group of school kids, that we tell them to turn back and not consider this route. He would meet up with them back in Brodick. Eventually we emerged back on to the established path just short of the bench and paused here to regain our breath and composure. Davie, of the short legs and the shorts, had found the going particularly difficult. The climb to the trig point on Dun Fionn took us no time at all and we were there just after midday.
By half -past, fed and watered, we were off again, noticing that the school kids had appeared, and Jimmy took time to relay the message, before we started over the Clauchland Hills. Before too long we encountered the same issues as before with the path covered in debris, but we persevered and were clear of all obstructions after a few hundred yards. The going from now on was straightforward, but we had forgotten how hilly this section was, or maybe we are just getting older! When we reached ‘Linda’s Seat’ at the highest point we met two mountain bikers heading the other way and on to Lamlash and advised them of the issues ahead. These guys were fit and up for it, but, when we met them on the boat home, even they admitted that carrying their bikes across the various obstructions had been demanding. Anyway, it was downhill all the way until we crossed the main road to meet the forest/quarry road that would take us to Glencloy. We stopped, however, at the picnic bench at the entrance and spent a pleasant twenty minutes finishing our sandwiches before moving on.
The road climbs steadily up to the quarry which has grown in size since our last visit, and, as we passed it, and progressed up the incline, Robert met an old neighbour of his coming the other way with his son, granddaughter and dog. They spent a few minutes catching up before it was time to move on, and, from here on, it was easy downhill walking. Jackets had to go on for fifteen minutes as we approached the burn because of a light rain shower, but no need for waterproof trousers. As we crossed the burn there were more logging roads built, but we quickly established our bearings and found the path that would take us on the last leg of our walk up towards Auchrannie in the sunshine.
We reached ‘the Douglas’ in Brodick four hours and twenty-five minutes after having started, and the distance was just shy of ten miles. A weary group of Ooters took FRT here, and on the boat home!
Despite all, this had been a good day out in decent conditions, but we’ll maybe avoid a repetition until all the logging is finished. It is hoped that the contractors clear the paths before they leave the area!

We could have been on Holy Isle today!