Hugh, Kenny R, Malcolm, Rex, Paul, Davie C.
As the early arrivals partook of coffee at Wemyss Bay's station cafe the forecast of rain and thunderstorms gave us cause to consider a change of plan. Lunderston Bay to Greenock was suggested but after due deliberation, in the best Ooters' tradition, we decided to carry on regardless.
We reached Rothesay in time for the 10.50 bus to Kilchattan and were engaged in conversation with a West Kilbride walking group who were planning to do the same walk. Kilchattan terminus was reached just as a few drops of rain were starting to fall. Soon it was heavy enough for full waterproofs to be donned and it made the initial part of the walk, over slippery rocks, quite testing. However, the rain soon relented and we took a coffee break on the beach at Glencallum Bay.
The route is now well-signed and a West Highland Way marker led us off the beach into the hinterland. Davie wondered why we were directed onto a rather narrow path above a steep slope only to join a much wider and level path soon afterwards. Loch na Leighe was skirted and with waterproofs back on we were soon making our approach to St Blane's Chapel. Once more the the rain was short-lived and we settled down for a comfortable lunch, seated on the chapel's vallum.
After lunch we kept up a good pace, descending to the Glen Callum Burn and then climbing the steep slope, grazed by docile cattle, which is topped by the prehistoric mound of Suidhe Chatain. Kilchattan village came into view and was reached by 2.10. The bus timetable was consulted and fortune smiled on us as we discovered that a bus was due in just 10 minutes. It arrived a little late and the driver reckoned catching the 3.05 ferry would be "touch and go". He didn't spare the horses but we soon ground to a virtual halt as we drew up behind a digger travelling at 1 mph at a point in the road where it was impossible to overtake. The digger eventually turned into a field but our driver was now pessimistic about our chances of catching the ferry as we still had the long drive into and out of the Mount Stuart grounds.
But catch the ferry we did. The main topic of conversation on the way back was whether or not Chile has any native monkeys (Don't ask).
FRT was taken in the cosy surroundings of the station bar back on the mainland.
It had been a good day out. Encountering no more than a couple of short showers was far better than we could have hoped for.
Distance: 7 km.
No comments:
Post a Comment