Where's Holly?

Just for fun for the holidays. Holly got around in her 14 years. We'll give you a couple of weeks to puzzle over her whereabouts then we'll add captions.

Holly is crossing the stepping stones at Overmills just off the Ayr bypass. This is part of the Annbank to Ayr walk.

This is towards the end of the Greenock Cut with the Firth of Clyde in the background.

Some of the Ooters enjoying a pint outside the Sannox Bay Hotel which is unfortunately now closed.

Something has caught Holly's eye at Culzean Castle.

The top of Burn Road in Darvel showing the slopes of the Irvine Valley.

The clue is in the background; it's the golf ball (or in Davie's opinion the football!) on the top of Lowther Hill. This is the reservoir at the foot of Green Lowther.

Again the background gives it away  -  Ballochmyle Viaduct. Holly and Davie are on their way to Fishers' Tryst.

Holly was always first to the top of the big cairn on Cairntable at Muirkirk.

This might have had you scratching your heads if you weren't there on the day. It's the Cross Well in Linlithgow. 

 Holly and Kay are standing near Glenbuck Lodge.

A walk the Ooters have done many times; Tibbie's Brig at Muirkirk.

Another part of the Greenock Cut Walk on a glorious day.

This one may have posed a few problems. Holly is making her way towards Lochranza Castle.

Again the clue is in the background. It's the pier at Portencross.

Dalcairnie Waterfall, oops sorry Jimmy, Dalcairnie Linn at Dalmellington.

The lung bursting climb up Culter Fell with Tinto Hill in the background.

This is A McQ's bothy which we visited on our rain sodden walk between Talla reservoir and Broughton.

Probably one of the hardest. The three are having lunch beside a wind turbine on Windy Standard, New Cumnock.

Another hard one but both the foreground and the background are the clues. Holly is standing on the kiddies' playground at Loch Riecawr between Loch Bradan and Loch Doon.

One of Davie's favourite photos. This is Beinn Bharrain heading toward the last climb before heading down to Pirnmill on Arran. In Davie's opinion, this walk and the Rhinos of Kells walk are the two best walks the Ooters have ever done (excluding Mosset walks). Davie would  be interested to hear of your favourite walks.

With Arran in the background, (that's the clue) this is us having lunch on the top of Brown Carrick on a beautiful winter's day. Holly loved the snow as well.

Easy peasy. Dumfries House near Cumnock.

Holly is in New Lanark on the Falls of Clyde circular walk.

An old calendar shot! It's Dunure Castle.

The end of lunch at Loudoun old kirkyard near Galston.

The top of Loudoun Hill. Holly is hoping for a piece!

Standing the old Howford Brig with the new bridge in the background. judging by Johnnie and Davie's hair, it was a windy day.

St Blane's church on our Kilchattan Bay walk on Bute.

A teaser. The bridge in the background is the Gadgirth bridge between Stair and Annbank, part of the River Ayr Way.

Central Station, Glasgow. (Just kidding) Obviously Wemyss Bay station.

The loch is Loch Doon and Holly is standing on Blackcraig, not Coran of Portmark as some of you might have thought.

Update for 23 September

 Due to Covid restrictions the Portencross walk will not go ahead.

Hurlford to Galston 16 September

Allan, Billy, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Iain, Ian, Johnny, Malcolm, Robert

We set off on the Grougar Path on a very grey morning, keeping socially-distanced as per the guidelines. Robert had a record of all present so that Test and Protect protocols could be observed and we thanked him for his fastidiousness. When we reached Milton Road, we deviated from the tarmac on to the path which passes by the river and then across some fields. Thankfully, the going was not too bad although nettles proved to be an issue for those in shorts. Reaching the road again, Loudoun Kirk, our coffee spot, was reached about twenty past eleven, and everyone stuck to their own space.

We did not take the tarmac road to Galston, but took the track, again with only a few wee muddy bits, towards the A71, which we crossed, and found the path which took us to Portland Park. Having crossed the park, we walked up through the scheme to join the Chris Hoy Way for our return journey. Most continued on this path right into Hurlford, but a few, having reached the bridge over the Cessnock Water, took the alternative track, down off the tarmac, to reach the cars that way.

We were back at our starting point in a tad over three hours having covered the best part of nine miles, and, no, we did not stop a second time for lunch.

The weather had stayed dry but overcast, underfoot, on the overland bits, had been OK, and it was good to get some exercise and have a chat with the guys, an all -important part of keeping good mental health.

Arrangements for Wed 23rd Sept.

 Meet in the  Portencross car park at 10.00.a.m. The walk will be the Portencross circular.

9 September - Wanlockhead (the windy walk)

 Davie C, Davie M, Dougie, Gus, Paul, Robert, Billy, Hugh, Jimmy

It was breezy, with an autumnal chill in the air, when we met up outside the lead mining museum.  Whilst the hardy wore shorts the sensible ones donned woolly hats and gloves.

We made short work of the road walk up to the golf ball on Lowther Hill and soon after 11 am we were huddled in the lee of the radar station as we enjoyed our coffee break. 

The wind had been in our favour for the ascent but when we emerged from the shelter of the buildings and headed for Green Lowther we got the felt the full brunt of the crosswind which appeared to be gathering strength.  It wasn't a day for lingering on the top and following a photo opportunity we departed Green Lowther and headed down to the reservoir in the valley.  

The wind was now accompanied by light rain and were soon spread out along the length of the slope as people stopped to don waterproofs. Fortunately for the four at the back, Davie M knew a shortcut but what Davie described as a path looked like an expanse of heather to the other three. The rest had been long settled at their lunch spot by the reservoir, hogging the best seats, when those who had taken the short cut eventually arrived.

The sky had cleared and the wind had abated so we had a very pleasant lunch stop looking out over the sparkling waters towards the hills we had come down from. After our break we made our way to the station platform at Leadhills.  With no trains due we headed up the track to Glengonnar station - at 1500 feet, the UK's highest adhesion railway station. From there it was a pleasant stroll through the village to be back at the cars three and a half hours after leaving. Distance 7.5 miles.

A good walk in wonderful surroundings.

Stewarton 9 September (the wee walk)

Just for the record: 

Allan, Jim, Kenny T, Malcolm

This was a circular walk around Stewarton covering about five miles in two hours. In exposed areas it was very blustery but most of the time we were sheltered, and it was dry. It was good to see Jim again after all these months and it wasn’t long before Malcolm and he engaged in conversation about a particular football team.

The route took us from Jim’s house, just off Dalry Road, up to Kilwinning Road, which we followed before taking to the path through Lainshaw Woods and then down on to the Fisherman’s Path which followed the Annick. We emerged close to the railway viaduct, which we went under, and continued on the path until eventually leaving it and coming to Dean Street opposite the Mill House.

Entering the Cunningham Watt Park, we followed the path adjacent to the Merkland Burn before crossing over and going through an underpass which led us to Dunlop Road. We went up the road to the new estate on the edge of the town. Jim took us through this estate and on to Kinloch Avenue which took us back to Dalry Road and our starting point.

A good walk and one to remember when a shorter walk is needed, for whatever reason.

 Some photographs from the Wanlockhead walk.

Lunch time beside the reservoir where the wind was virtually non existent.

First top where the wind was getting close to the 42mph forecast.

Paul waiting on the next train from Wanlockhead.

Arrangements for Wednesday 16th September.

 In an attempt to unify the group the following walk is easily accessible and does not include a lot of assent. Meet beside the church/ bowling green in Hurlford at 10.00.a.m. The walk will proceed along the river to the old Loudoun Kirk and then into Galston . The return to Hurlford will be along the Chris Hoy way.

Alternative' local' walk for 9 September

For those not wishing to travel to Wanlockhead there is a shorter Stewarton walk leaving from Jim Dinnett's house at 10am.

Too dreich for Ballageich

 Present: Bob, Gus, Killie Davie, Derval Davie, Dougie, Paul, Rex, Hugh, Malcolm and Ian

10 of us braved the elements on Wednesday to do the proposed circular walk from Eaglesham to Ballageich Hill. It was decided to do the walk in an anti-clockwise direction and so we set off full of our usual optimism. However by the time we reached East Moorhouse Farm, the wind and rain were blowing in our faces, and the prospect of climbing onto the Ballageich plateau appealed to no-one.  Consequently there was no dissension when it was suggested that we retrace our steps; this time we veered left, down past  Bonnyton Moor farm onto the old main road, passing Castlehill House and arriving back at the cars just over 2 hours after setting out. No coffee stop, no lunch stop - it was that sort of day.

Arrangements for Wed 9th September

 Meet beside the mining museum in Wanlockhead at 10.00.a.m. The walk will take in the Lowther hills.

In the event of a dire forecast meet at Kirkfieldbank ,New Lanark for the walk along the Clyde.

I have checked the long range forecast for Wanlockhead, the likelihood is good at the moment. If we have a significant change check the blog after 6.00.p.m. next Tuesday.

Davie says: For those who might find the ascent of Lowther Hill a daunting prospect, can I suggest that we simply walk up the tarmac road on Wednesday. Although obviously it's still a climb, it's definitely less strenuous.

Jimmy’s report on our wander round Cumnock

 Robert,Jimmy,Davy Mc,Davy C,Rex,Alan,and Hugh.

Two things we learnt from today’s outing: Firstly, what wealth of history we have in our county: And, secondly, how proud Jimmy is of his local area. We did this walk because the forecast for the Lowther hills was poor and we followed the alternative arrangement.

As we stood in the usual car park in Cumnock we were approached by a woman who told us we couldn’t park there as they were about to resurface it. So, we moved on, following Jimmy to a quiet car park in Woodroad Park for a wee ramble in the Cumnock area. While boots were donned and rucksacks arranged Jimmy regaled us with tales of Cumnock outdoor swimming pool. It seems that at one time this was a popular venue, not only for locals but for celebrity swimmers as well including Olympic champions Anita Lonsbrough and Johnny Weissmuller of Tarzan fame. There is no sign of there ever have been a swimming pool there now.

We walked through the park, climbed past Templand farm and out on to Rigg Road. Turning right here we moved on towards Lugar. At the entrance to what appeared to be abandoned factories we halted to let the slowies catch up. Then we walked through what Jimmy told us was the original iron works of Lugar, then the headquarters of NCB Ayrshire followed by the offices of Cumnock and doon Valley District council. Now it is a collection of small factories and works.

               At the end of this seeming dereliction was a narrow lane which we took and followed it to Brickwork Loch and an old railway. Since some tongues were hanging out for the lack of coffee, we halted in an abandoned signal box for re-caffeination. But the midges were annoying some and coffee stop was shorter than it might have been and we were soon on the move again. Tarmac was found just to the north of Cronberry an d we held to this for a while. 

We came down the busy A70 into the village of Lugar. We might have walked on but the bold Jimmy had us stopped the farm of Bello Mill where we were told the story of one William Murdoch. As we stood there the lady of the house came out. A very pleasant woman of our own vintage, she was delighted that we were interested in Murdoch and allowed us to go through the farm to view the original mill. When we came back up to the farm she asked us to sign the visitor’s book that has been kept t the farm since 1913. We were only too happy to do so. Our thanks go to the lady whose name we forgot to get. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Murdoch

The next stop was at The Spoot, a natural spring where the folk of Lugar got their water before it was piped in in the 1930’s. A lot of work has been done here to make this an attractive picnic area with flower beds and seating. And all done during lock-down by a group of volunteers. Hats off to them for they have done a great job. 

We left tarmac for a while again. Crossing the bridge, we followed the river upstream, under the viaduct and down to another lovely wee picnic spot by the side of the Glenmuir Water. This is where we chose to have lunch. And, for a change, it was a relaxed lunch sitting on boulders and looking over the water to an immense vertical rock face topped by trees barely clinging to the earth above it. This was the Black Rocks.

Thoroughly refreshed, we continued to follow the river upstream, giving the bull and his harem a wide enough berth, to the ruins of Barlonachan farm where we picked up the old farm track. As we climbed up the side of the valley with the track, it was mentioned that it was a superb setting for a farm. What wasn’t quite so superb was the track we followed for it was showing the signs of tractor us and was covered in oozy mud. But, climbing a style into a field got us out of the glaur and it was only a couple of fields before we found a more solid farm road and eventually tarmac again. This we followed back into Cumnock.

From the high ground to the east of the town, Jimmy pointed out, across the valley, the site of a covenanter’s monument. And another was mentioned when we found the old cemetery on Barhill. This was to Rev. Alexander Peden who was brought here from his grave in Auchinleck six weeks after his burial to be hanged on the public gibbet in Cumnock, Thanks to the intervention of the Earl of Dumfries, this was never carried out but Peden was buried at the foot of the Gibbet as a common criminal.

We turned right at the old cemetery and came back into the valley of the Lugar, crossed the Rifleman’s brig and came back into the Woodroad Park. This had been a different walk from the planned one but it brought back memories for Davie Mc and was new territory for most.

Davie’s version of events 

Seven of us met at the carpark at Cumnock swimming pool although our stay there was short-lived owing to its imminent re-surfacing. Consequently we moved the cars to the carpark at the foot of the Woodroad Park.

The proposed walk to the Lowthers had been cancelled for reasons unknown to your scribe and Jimmy was appointed Chief Injun for the day and he already had plans as to which way we would go. This was to be a day of reminiscing for Derval Davie (the ooter formerly known as Cumnock Davie) as will be revealed.

First we walked up past the site of the old open air pool. Davie informed the company that for many years he did not partake of alcohol on a Saturday night so that he could be fresh and fit for an early morning swim on the Sunday. Nobody believed the bit about the alcohol.

We proceeded up through the park and under the Templand Viaduct onto the rough road which meets up with the Auchinleck - Lugar. Here Davie recalled his first dalliance with the opposite sex on one of the pit bings which proliferate in this area. He became positively misty-eyed about it.

At Lugar, instead of going down the Peasie Brae Jimmy took us in to what remains of Lugar Iron Works which spread over a considerable area but is now sadly home to weeds and all sorts of rubbish. Another memory was brought to Davie’s mind of when he worked at the briquette works for the summer before heading off to university. Anything you want to know about briquettes, Davie’s yer man.

Jimmy had us cut through the old works and soon we were on an old railway line heading towards Cronberry. A stop was called for at the old signal box but the conditions were ripe for midges so we didn’t taigle too long.
At this point Davie pointed out his Alma Mater ie Cronberry Primary School which he attended only for P1 in 1953/4. He had to confess he got the belt (in P1) for peeing through the playground railings after being shopped by a wee lassie. Davie C told us he got the belt on his very first day in P1 for standing on top of the desk.

As we headed up past where Cronberry Rows used to be, Davie discovered that only he and Jimmy had ever heard of William Murdoch the inventor of gas lighting who “lit up the world”. Consequently Jimmy determined to show the ignoramuses the place where Murdoch conducted his experiments. On entering Bello Mill Farm we were met by an extremely pleasant lady who allowed us to go down to the ruins of the old Bello Mill. Unfortunately because the Lugar Water was in spate we couldn’t go down to the water’s edge and along to the cave where Murdoch experimented with lighting coal gas. Maybe another day. Davie told us incidentally that Muirkirk was the first town to have gas lighting but the last to be connected to the Natural Gas Grid. On our return to Bello Mill Farm the lady (Mrs Craig) met us again with a visitors’ book. It was a massive tome and the first signature was dated 1913!

Down the road we had a look at Lugar Boswell Thistle’s ground which was looking very spruce indeed. Jimmy informed the company that they were the first team to adopt the 2-3-5 formation which was universally adopted and lasted till the sixties.

Further down the road Jimmy showed us a lovely wee garden at the Spout, re- created by the locals before we crossed the bridge at Hollowsholm and turned left up to the viaduct  before dropping down to the river to have a spot of well-earned lunch. This is a most picturesque spot as the accompanying photos show.

Carrying on we eventually ended up coming down into Logan and before long heading down Bank Glen and back into the  Woodroad Park. The walk had taken just over 4 hours and although it had smirred occasionally and some of the going had been wet and glaury, on the whole this was an enjoyable walk and thanks are due to the Chief Injun, Jimmy.

More about Lugar on the Cumnock History Group site
http://www.cumnockhistorygroup.org/gallery-presentations.html  Life in Lugar at the bottom. You can click past the boring bits to the old photos! (Kay)

Some photographs from the Cumnock walk.

Viaduct near Lugar.

Group photograph taken beside the old mill where William Murdoch invented gas lighting.

Arrangements for Wed 2nd September.

 Meet top left of Eaglesham to do the Ballageich walk. Meeting time 10.00.a.m.

Adventures of the Early Ooters: Adventures of the Early Ooters: Arrangements for W...

Meet beside Cumnock swimming pool at 10.00.a.m. Walk will be decided then.

Greenock Cut or Not 19 August

Alan, Allan, Billy, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Ian, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert

The day started with news that the road at Inverkip was closed due to an accident and ‘advice’ given to use the Brisbane Glen Road to travel from Largs to Cornalees. Unfortunately, other motorists had the same idea. This is a single-track road with few passing places and, given the volume of traffic using it today, it was a mistake to use it. Without going in to too much detail and without using any expletives, the journey to Cornalees from Largs was tortuous and not-to-be repeated, with many a thought of being stuck in the middle of nowhere as cars coming in opposite directions met with nowhere to go. Four cars containing Alan, Allan, Johnny, Malcolm and Paul eventually reached their destination unscathed, with the drivers having to go and lie down in a dark place for some time to recover.

Calls were received that the rest of the guys had given up and had returned to Largs to do a walk from there to Fairlie and back. This was followed by most having a refreshment in the pub. Remember the days!

Anyway, the five started the Greenock Cut walk going anti-clockwise at about quarter past ten in misty haar, but this soon was burned away and, although very warm, the day was overcast rather than sunny. We didn’t stop for coffee as we came down the hill but continued to our usual lunch spot where we took our only break of the day.

A few minutes out from Cornalees and we got another light shower but, thankfully, only for five minutes. It was about one o’clock when we arrived at the cars. All seemed tired after today’s walk, and maybe the earlier excitement had something to do with how we felt.

We did not return the way we came!

Adventures of the Early Ooters: Arrangements for Wed 26th August.

Meet beside the  Mining Museum in Wanlockhead at 10.00.a.m. The proposed walk will involve making our way over the Lowther hills.

In the event of a dire forecast meet in Cumnock beside the swimming pool where an alternative walk can be arranged.

Darvel Circular 12 August

Alan, Allan, Billy, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Ian, Jimmy, Johnny, Kenny R, Kenny T, Malcolm, Rex, Robert

We assembled at Davie’s in Darvel on a hot summer’s morning and were glad that wet weather gear would not be needed today. This would be a trainer walk i.e. on tarmac and solid paths, and the exact route would be new to a lot of us.

Walking through the park we continued straight on, past the ever-improving ‘Junior’ ground (Recreation Park) on our left and emerged on to the main road before cutting up to the left bypassing the path towards Loudoun Hill and continuing up past the New Cemetery. At the small crossroads we went straight on observing Loudoun Hill to our right. The route so far had been a continual steady climb, but nothing untoward. Twice on this section Davie met friends of his, meaning that a breather was taken by the rest of us. After an hour or so Kenny T, who had indicated that he wouldn’t be able to do the whole walk, turned back as the rest of us ploughed on to our coffee spot on the parapet of a wee bridge over The Tongue Burn.

Bridge of Thighs

Fifteen minutes later and we were ready for the off again but we had to retrace our steps for fifty yards or so, as the circular route would be anti-clockwise, and we continued on this road up to the next junction when we turned right going past the entrance to the farm which was Sir Alexander Fleming’s birthplace. Billy pointed out that the cottage in the distance was the old schoolhouse and the one that the scientist would have attended. Marching on, we then took a steep downhill towards the bridge over the Glen Water, our lunch stop. A good choice today as we were in the shade and our guide was congratulated on his local knowledge.

Moving on back up from here we turned left (the road to the right would have taken us towards Eaglesham and Whitelee, a walk we have done in the dim and distant past) and past the schoolhouse before descending again to cross the Mucks Water and climbing past the entrance to Tom Grant’s Plant Hire yard.

It wasn’t too long from here until it was downhill all the way towards Darvel, taking a left into Burn Road on our way back to Davie’s.

The walk had taken three and a half  hours all in (long enough in today’s heat) and was calculated to be about eight and a half miles, although it seemed longer. Thanks to Davie and Kay for offering to host a post-walk beer in the garden, but, with almost all of us driving, we had to decline. Hopefully, the day will come before too much longer when we can socialise after a walk and have curry nights to celebrate birthdays.

This had been a good day out, in great weather, with only a few complaining of ‘burning feet’ after the road walk.

Arrangements for Wed 19th August

 Meet at Cornalees visitor centre 10.00 a.m. The proposed walk is the Greenock Cut.

Sorn to Ballochmyle Viaduct 5 August

Alan, Alan McQ, Allan, Davie Mc, Gus, Ian, Kenny R

The torrential rain of yesterday had given way to a dry, overcast morning and, with the prospect of more rain to come by the middle of the day, we wasted no time in setting off from Sorn, heading up the road and making our way down in to Catrine. Howford Bridge, our usual coffee spot, was reached just after an hour, but today we decided to press on to the Ballochmyle Viaduct and combine coffee with lunch.

Despite all the rain that had fallen, underfoot conditions had been much better than anticipated, but we decided that we would simply retrace our steps from here rather than extending the walk further. Two reasons for this: 1) Gus (good to have him back in the fold) needed back early and 2) we would try and finish before the weather turned.

Gus strode on ahead at a serious pace leaving the rest of us (still not hanging about) to make our way back into Catrine where we stopped to say ‘hello’ to Peter. It was good to see him and he was proud to show off pictures of his granddaughter.

However, as we chatted, our luck ran out and the first drops of rain began to fall, so we wished him ‘all the best’ and headed up past the voes and on to the River Ayr walk. By this time, it was teaming down, and it was to remain so until we reached the cars, absolutely drookit, at about quarter past one. It was so wet that we immediately took refuge in our vehicles, tried to dry off, and set off for home, without even saying 'cheerio' or making arrangements for next week.

Some you win, some you lose!

 

Arrangements for 12th August

Since we were all desperate to get out of the monsoon conditions today after our walk, no decision was made as to where we were going next week. I suggest we meet chez moi at Darvel at 10 am for an easy road walk. This will be a trainer walk.

Muirkirk Circular 29 July

Alan, Allan, Billy, Dan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Ian, Jimmy, Malcolm, Paul, Robert

It was decidedly ‘fresh’ as we set off for our familiar Muirkirk Circular walk (aka the Lunky Hole walk) from Kames. Tibbie’s Brig was soon behind us as we took to the old railway line and then passed Adam’s Stane (the Covenanter memorial). At this point Jimmy, who had indicated that he would not be doing the whole walk as he was still nursing his sair back, called a halt and returned to his car, whereas the rest continued to our usual coffee spot on the walkway beside the River Ayr. By this time, the temperature had risen a bit, meaning that walking conditions became very good, not too warm, not too cold. Underfoot conditions had been OK given the recent rains with only a couple of muddy stretches to negotiate.

On the boardwalk for coffee

As is our norm, we had a wee look into the big hole in the ground, now looking a bit more picturesque, before crossing the A70 and taking to the tarmac and heading for Netherwood. Lunch would normally be taken at the bridge over the Greenock Water, but today we stopped on the road between Netherwood and Burnfoot Farm and sat down with our backs to the wall, which offered us some shelter from the breeze. Davie Mc had said that this was a better option as the bridge was covered in sheep droppings, and, if your scribe’s memory is right, we have stopped at this spot before.

The problem with this resting place was getting back on your feet when it was time to go, but eventually we were on our way again down to Burnfoot Farm and then up to the remains of the old opencast. We took the high path as the lower one was flooded and, after fighting off the midges, arrived at Glasgow Road which took as down to Muirkirk and the now legendary, at least in the annals of the Ooters, Lunky Hole. Suffice it to say that Dan survived his initiation and, whilst we took a breather, half a dozen bikers arrived, drove round the car park, and then moved off.

A decision was taken to take the shortest route back to the cars, so we walked down the road noting that the Empire Bar was open and approached the Corner House with its outdoor covered drinking area. It was closed but we wondered what had happened to the barmaid with whom we had had many spirited conversations. You couldn’t write the script, but, as we passed the caravan park, who should come out to greet us as long-lost friends? Lauren, who had been helping the staff at the park, told us she had taken a one-way ticket to Vietnam and had spent the last two years there before returning to run the Coach House again. She said that if we were back down in Muirkirk we should give her a ring and she would make sure the hostelry would open early for us. Nice touch! Thanks, Lauren.

The cars were reached four hours and twenty minutes after having set off, not our fastest time for this walk, but the pace had been moderate on certain stretches, and the reckoning was about ten miles.

A good day out!

Arrangements for 5 August

Sorn to Ballochmyle Viaduct and back

Meet at the car park adjacent to Sorn Kirk cemetery (the usual place) at 10am.

29 July

Lunky Hole walk confirmed for 29 July.

Arrangements for 29 July

Lunky Hole Walk
Meet at Kames car park at 10am.

In the event of another poor forecast, an alternative walk will be published on the blog by 6pm on the Tuesday evening. Please check the blog for any updates.

Dean Park to Craufurdland 22 July

Allan, Billy, Davie C, Dougie, Ian, Johnny, Malcolm, Rex

Umbrellas were the order of the day as we set off from the Dean Park car park on a very wet morning. Our destination was Craufurdland and the Laird’s Table, which was reached in just under an hour.

Take-away coffees were purchased and consumed at the tables in the covered outdoor area where a pleasant half hour or so was spent 

The walk back was much easier as the rain abated to a drizzle and the going was downhill, so the cars were reached about half-past twelve.

All in all, despite the rain, the walk turned out to be much better than anticipated.

New arrangements for 22 July

Due to a poor weather forecast the proposed walk at Muirkirk has been postponed.

Meet instead at the Dean Park car park in Kilmarnock at 10am for a walk round the park.

Ness Glen 15 July

Allan, Billy, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Ian, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert plus special guests Alan and Dan

It was good to see so many guys turn up for the walk on, what was to prove, a rather dreich day. As we headed from the car park at the Junior ground in Dalmellington on to our usual figure of eight walk there was a lot of catching up to do as we walked through the Promised Land. Before too long, Robert found out to his cost that the wooden walkways today would be slippy, but, before we knew it, we were on tarmac and making our way up to Dalcairnie Linn. Only a couple of us went down to have a look, with the rest wishing to press on up to the bench at Barbeth. We stopped briefly here, as Deval Davie decided a coffee break was in order, but given the conditions most just took a breather before moving on. As hinted earlier there was a faint drizzle for most of the time with the odd dry spell giving false hope. Having passed Craigengillan, we stopped at the start of the Ness Glen as Paul, who was nursing a sair knee, and Davie C, decided to give this part of the walk a miss and continue over the bridge and head back to the cars. 

Twenty-five minutes later, having negotiated the glen walk successfully, we were overlooking Loch Doon and, as it had dried up, it was decided to go down to the rocks on the shoreline for lunch. No sooner had we set off than the rain stared again, so we took shelter in the arches of the dam. However, we didn’t wait too long as the midges were out in force here. See what we’ve missed for all these weeks! Taking the high road back to the footbridge we then followed the path and tarmac road back to the cars taking just under four hours for the whole walk, and, as usual, just as we needed it to be dry to get changed int to fresh clothes, the drizzle returned.

For most of us this had been the furthest and hilliest walk we had done in a long time and it felt like it. Nonetheless, it was good to have the band back on the road again. The only thing missing was FRT and the accompanying banter. We live in hope!
P.S. Well done to Davie for doing his first walk back with the Ooters without Holly. He misses her big time, as we all do.

Muirkirk July 22 nd

Arrangements- meet at 10.00.a.m. in the the car park beside the old Kaimes outdoor centre. The walk is a  circular walk away from Muirkirk and eventually round in a big circle back to the town from a different direction. Remember to introduce Billy to the Lunky Hole.

Prestwick to Troon 8 July

Allan, Billy, Davie C, Ian, Jimmy, Malcolm, Paul, Robert

Having assembled in the wide, open spaces of the car park at Prestwick on a fine morning for walking, we set off in socially distanced groups of 3, 2 and 3 for the beach walk to Troon. The tide was well out so there was plenty of firm sand to walk on although we took to the tarmac path for the last stretch to the ice-cream kiosk adjacent to the toilets. Here a cuppa was taken, and some had a cone. Next, we walked up towards the golf course and joined the cycle track back towards Prestwick. We had thoughts to deviate up to Fullarton House for lunch, but the consensus was to continue and to have it on the beach. A leisurely lunch was taken and, as we looked out towards Arran, we asked ourselves when we would be able to go there again. The final stretch back to the cars took another fifteen minutes or so.

The guys wish Gus all the best and hope he is back to normal soon.

Arrangements for Wed 15 th.

The Ness Glen walk.  Meet in the car park beside the  Dalmellington football pitch. Meet at 10.00. a.m.

Irvine to Barassie 1 July

Allan, Billy, Davie C, Hugh, Kenny R, Jimmy, Paul, Robert (plus a guest appearance by Malcolm)

The 1st of July saw the Ooters make their first tentative steps to ‘normality’ since mid-March. Seven of us assembled (maintaining social distancing) at the car park at Irvine shore for the walk to Barassie on an ideal morning for a walk, pleasantly warm with no wind.
An hour later we had reached our turning point and took our pieces at the benches enjoying the warmth of the hazy sun. At this point Malcolm arrived to say hello. He had been unaware that we were walking, having not checked the blog, and only knew where we were when he had telephoned to check why there was no Zoom meeting. Just as he was about to drive back home, Paul arrived on foot. A flat car battery had prevented him joining us earlier, but he accompanied us back to Irvine.
We got back to the cars about quarter to one and made our way home. By this time the car parks had become much busier but there was still plenty of space to maintain our distance.
It was generally agreed that meeting up again was so much better than the on-line gatherings and that we would do so again if a suitable walk i.e. one where we could maintain our social distancing, could be achieved. Prestwick to Troon was agreed for next week.

Prestwick to Troon.

Arrangements for Wednesday 8th July.
Meet in the car park beside the old Prestwick swimming pool at 10.00.a.m. The proposed walk will be from Prestwick to Troon and back.

Irvine to Troon and back

Meet next Wed 1st July in the car park for Irvine beach at 10.00.a.m. The plan is to walk in small groups and observe socially distancing rules.

Final post of photographs from 2011 Mosset Trip

Some of the fun and games of a week in Mosset.