Bute 25 Sept

Alan, Allan, Billy, Davie C, Davie Mc, Gus, Hugh, Iain, Ian, Johnny, Kenny T, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert

The ferry was running so, after a coffee at the nearby cafe, we took the 10am crossing to Rothesay and were glad to see the bus waiting for our trip down to Kilchattan Bay.
It was 11.15 when we set off to do the loop round the bottom of the island which comprises the first leg of the West Island Way. The forecast had been iffy, but it was very warm for the time of the year, and soon layers were shed as we made our way along the path by the shore. Care had to be taken not to trip on the rocks and sections were muddy due to recent rains, but progress was good. Two lady walkers, a local doctor and her cousin from Canada, were also doing the walk and we took time to chat to them before overtaking them. They in turn took the lead as we stopped for coffee in the bay just after the lighthouse. By this time the sun was breaking through and the rest of the day was to be blessed with wonderful autumn sunshine.
From here we headed up and inland following the numerous signposts, past the lochan and making our way up to St Blane’s for lunch. We could have spent a while here but, ever mindful of the bus to catch, we set off again at about 1.15, making our way up the track and then over the field to the climb up the grassy hill. Here, we passed the ladies, who had stopped for a breather, before chasing up the slope ourselves, meaning that  some of us had to stop to recover before continuing down the other side.
Sections of the steep descent were muddy and very slippy but we made it safely down to Kilchattan in plenty of time for the bus at 2.16. In fact, we had reached the bus stop with twenty minutes to spare and enjoyed passing the time by sitting on the benches overlooking the bay.
Today’s numbers were two hours and forty minutes for the five and a half miles, plus two submarines.
FRT was first of all taken at the Taverna Bar in Rothesay, as we had forty-five minutes to kill before the ferry, and then continued at the Station Bar at Wemyss Bay.
The Sage of the Valley’s official description of today’s walk was ‘fabulous’. Or was it ‘superb’? No matter, all agreed we had had a cracking day out in unexpectedly terrific weather.