The Deil's Back Door 31 July

Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Ian, Jimmy, Malcolm, Rex, Robert

Our first meeting point was the swimming pool car park in Cumnock, where, after a short discussion, it was decided to do the walk as published i.e. the Deil’s Back Door. The forecast was for rain and thunderstorms later in the day, but it was dry, warm and clammy as we arrived at Dalblair. Setting off at 9.50am we stopped briefly at the farm building as Robert, our apprentice dog whisperer, went off to retrieve Holly who had gone off in the wrong direction.

From there, progress was steady along the track passing High Dalblair preferring to stop for coffee at Glenmuirshaw. Alan said he had renovated worse than that into a bothy, so that might be a project for the future. The midges started to annoy us, so the stop was shorter than anticipated. From here the good track runs out and becomes a grass path, which we followed down to where the old wooden bridge crosses Glenmuir Water. Once over the bridge the path becomes less obvious and the terrain more difficult through longish grass, until the rocky outcrops beside the burn come into play. Great care was needed as the amount of water flowing meant that the burn itself couldn’t be crossed or stepped into. A couple of hundred yards before the waterfall at the Deil’s Back Door, Killie Davie, supported by his carers, Allan and Malcolm, decided to stop, turn back and make for the wooden bridge for lunch.
As they were packing up after having eaten, figures were spotted on the north side of the water making their way down towards them. The rest of the guys had decided to cross the water at the waterfall, have lunch, and then climb the very steep slope to reach the top of the gully and then return to the bridge from there, reckoning it was a better route out, and probably was a better route in given today’s conditions.
Robert had led the way and was first to greet the threesome for the inward journey.
There was no hanging about as we passed Glenmuirshaw, keeping a close eye on the weather, but we did stop for a breather and a drink at High Dalblair. By this time, we had encountered a brief, light shower, but it was still very warm as we strode out on our last leg and made for the cars. Another wee shower came and went but the sky was darkening, and it was raining as we arrived back at Dalblair, four hours and twenty-seven minutes (according to our timekeeper) after having started out, and having covered 9.7, let’s say ten, miles.
FRT was taken at the Black Bull in Mauchline, during which time the thunderstorm arrived with a vengeance. But no matter, we were nice and cosy, and the banter was good.
We had been extremely fortunate with the weather on the walk, but the drive home, at least for some of us, became a real challenge because of flooded roads.
Another good and eventful day out!

Nature note: The big influx of Painted Lady butterflies has reached the moors above Dalblair with at least forty counted on this stretch. Other butterflies included Small White, Green-veined White, Scotch Argus, Ringlet, Meadow brown and Common Blue. Highlight of the birds was a possible merlin - too fast and too short a view to be sure - and a whinchat near High Dalblair.

The grass is always greener ...

The bridge over the river. Why?

Ups and doons of the Ooters

Eight take the high road back!