Tunskeen Bothy 7 August

Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Iain, Ian, Jim, Johnny, Kenny T, Malcolm, Robert

We assembled in Straiton before heading, in convoy, down Newton Stewart Road until we came to our cut-off point onto a forest road which took us, eventually, to the car park overlooking Loch Bradan.

The weather was dry, but overcast, as we set off down Forest Drive, but, given the rains of the last week or so, wet weather gear and umbrellas were to hand. This section was familiar to us as we use it on the Four Lochs Walk but, after about half an hour, we turned up right onto another forest road, ignoring the no entry sign which we assumed was for vehicles. With Loch Riecawr below us to our left, this was unfamiliar territory for most of us, but the going was good and the pace, as usual, was brisk. The only stop on the way out was to allow the more adventurous of us, some would say ‘the weans,’ to climb up on the rocking stone by the side of the road. The rest just looked on and wondered why.
In another ten minutes Alan led us off the road and onto a grassier track to the right. Just as we wondered how far we had to travel on this track, the whitewashed walls of Tunskeen Bothy came into view and by twenty to twelve we were sitting down having our lunch. The bothy was very clean, tidy and well maintained, with plenty of room for the fourteen of us to relax over our pieces.
The return journey saw us encounter some warm sunshine for a spell but by the time we reached the cars, like last week, the rain had come on, but didn’t last long.
Again, we had been extremely lucky with the weather, encountering only two or three short light showers during our walk which had taken about three and a half hours to cover the nine miles or so.
Where to go for FRT? Some suggested Kirkmichael but the decision appeared to have been made to continue back down Forest Drive, past Loch Riecawr on our right, and on to Loch Doon. From there we would follow the road down to Dalmellington and the Dalmellington Inn. As we travelled down the road to Loch Doon we were extremely grateful we weren’t walking it as it seemed to go on forever, and even the road section from Loch Doon Castle to the turn-off for Loch Finlas appeared to be longer than we remembered – maybe auld age is creeping in!
Anyway, a good time was had at the pub where bowls of crisps were provided for the hungry Ooters, and those who had opted for a coffee were treated to a caramel wafer as well – jammy dodgers! Thanks to the staff for this. We don’t forget these wee things.
Another satisfying day out!