Wardlaw Hill 6 February

Alan, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Ian, Jimmy, Johnny, Paul, Rex

On the Sanquhar Brig

For many of us this was a new walk. We had done Cairn Table many times and had walked from Muirkirk over to Sanquhar/Kirkconnel but Wardlaw Hill (497m) was to be today’s destination.

The forecast said that the rain would move in about 3pm so we wasted no time in moving off from the Kames car park, following the familiar path up to the Sanquhar Brig. Crossing over, we took the old road, or what remains of it, up to the seat where we took coffee. The going underfoot had been wet and muddy in parts, but we were in good spirits as we continued up the road until we reached the point where we turned off to the right for the trek up to the summit of Wardlaw.
The first half of this part of the walk proved to be very wet and boggy, although we were reliably informed that this was the drier of the two ways to tackle the hill. and it was with some relief that drier ground was found further up. However, with about fifteen minutes to go to the cairn on top, it started raining, meaning that those who had not donned waterproofs earlier had to stop and get them on. The rain was not that heavy, more of a nuisance, but with a strong breeze at the top, the conditions were not conducive to hanging around for too long. Those who had arrived first had sat down on the sheltered side of the cairn (with its plaque in memory of Colonel Baird) for lunch, but most decided to wait until we got back down a bit to a spot where we could get shelter. It had taken an hour and forty-five minutes to get to the top, and it was about noon when we started our descent.
We made the old road again in jig time and by this time the skies had cleared making the conditions rather pleasant, particularly as we were now out of the wind. Lunch for most was taken back at the seat, but Johnny, suffering from a sore hip, wandered on with Holly at a modest pace. The rest of us caught up with him well before Kames, which was reached three hours and thirty-five minutes after having set off, but who’s counting? Nearly nine miles on a day which, other than the half hour or so when we were up the hill, had stayed dry. The route had just been a steady incline with no steep parts to negotiate, although the underfoot conditions would suggest that another go at this walk would be best kept for a good day after a warm, dry spell.
FRT was taken at the Black Bull in Mauchline as there was a suggestion that the Empire Bar was closed. Thanks go to the barmaid for providing us with a plentiful supply of nibbles and a plate of sausage rolls. Gratefully accepted!
Finally, mention must be made of our treasurer’s new purse. Very proud of it he was, and the modest price he paid for it.
And finally, finally, the promised rains at 3pm never arrived! It was a lovely afternoon for early February.

Coffee stop with Cairn Table in the background

Nearly there

Taking shelter