Darvel to Loudoun Hill 16th October

Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Graham, Gus, Jimmy, Paul, Rex, Robert

The forecast was not great as we met at the Square in Darvel on a damp morning. There was some talk of changing the walk but, with some assurances about a dry couple of hours, and with the skies brightening somewhat, we stuck to our original plan and set off towards Loudoun Hill. When we got to the start of the path at the old railway line we were met by a new, at least to most of us, information board, the first of many we were to encounter on our walk. By this time layers were beginning to be shed as it was very mild, and the chance of any rain was receding. The path meant the walking was easy, but it was noticed that the width of it was being narrowed down by encroaching grass and other vegetation, so that the ‘super highway’ of a year or two back, resplendent with many new gates, was now only suitable for single file in many parts. Another example of lack of regular maintenance! Where have we heard that before?

Anyway, when we arrived above the entrance to the tunnel, Jimmy, Alan and Graham decided to go down and have a look, with the latter two making their way through it before coming back. Most of us waited for them coming back up but Robert, unaware that we had stopped, had ploughed on before realising he was on his own and calling us to find out where we were. At the end of the elevated track we went down the steps on to tarmac but stopped to have coffee. At this point Allan and Robert decided to re-trace their steps and wander back to the cars, getting back at twenty to one and taking lunch on one of the benches in the Square before crossing to the Black Bull to await the others.

Alan, Graham and Rex climbed the hill following a steep track on the western side. Good views were had, and they could see the rest sitting on the bench above the Spirit of Scotland sculpture. They descended via a steep, slippy path on the north side before rejoining the others for lunch.

From there they crossed the A71 as if taking the Long Cairn Path, but rather than turning up to Saughall (Alan’s friend, Mike’s, house), they continued on the single-track road past High Newton and, on the bend in the road before Ladybrow, cut across fields towards Bransfield Farm and then walked into Priestland and along the pavement to Darvel, arriving just before two o’clock and making for the Black Bull. The hill climbers had done a tad over eight miles, with their low-level colleagues covering about seven and a half, and the early returners doing five and a half.

The pub became busier than normal with a group of guys recognising Gus as a former teacher with one claiming that the last time he saw Gus was when Gus had given him the belt. No matter, Gus joined them for a good natter.

We had won a watch with the weather, having encountered no rain, which contributed to another enjoyable Wednesday.

Some images from the Loudoun Hill walk

 

Arrangements for Wednesday 23rd October

Carrick Hills

Meet at the Co-op in Doonfoot in time for the Service 361 bus to Fisherton which leaves from Doonfoot at 10:33. We will walk 8 miles back to Doonfoot via Brown Carrick Hill, Bracken Bay and Greenan Castle. Low tide 10:43, High tide 17:03.  Don't forget your bus passes!

Croy to Culzean 9th October

 

 

Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Dougie, Jimmy, Johnny, Malcolm, Rex, Robert

The morning was dry and bright with little prospect of  rain as we set off along the beach from the bottom car park at Croy towards Culzean. It was cool with some donning gloves for the first time in a while, but the walking was easy with great views of of Arran and Ailsa Craig as well as the castle itself. The only problem encountered was a stretch of soft, decaying seaweed which we negotiated with care, noting to stay a bit higher on the way back to avoid it.

At the approaches to the castle Alan, Jimmy and Rex decided to go and have a look at the caves whilst the rest made their way to their coffee spot at the shelter adjacent to the battery. After ten minutes they were joined by the others who were disappointed as the gates were locked and they couldn’t gain access.

When all had been refreshed it was time to move on to the swan pond with Davie and his minders taking the direct path with the others choosing the cliff walk. Meeting up again there was some talk of going on to Maidens but most favoured a leisurely walk around the park and with the autumn colours just beginning to show we followed Alan up the road before deviating into the woods on the right to follow a path which would take us, with a nice wee diversion, to the shelter in the walled garden for lunch.

From the walled garden we made our way up to the courtyard and stopped briefly to allow Jimmy and Malcolm to have a look in the bookshop before retracing our steps back to the cars.

Three and a half hours and nearly seven miles were today’s stats for, what proved to be, a very pleasant walk.

FRT was taken in the Anchorage at Dunure where Davie generously bought the first round to celebrate his 69th birthday. Thanks, Davie. As often happens the Ooters had a word of the day and today’s word was ‘salivating’ which was introduced by Alan and which was then used and misused to great laughter as the afternoon wore on. There was a second contender for word of the day but the least said the better!

Another good day out!

Some from the Croy and Culzean walk

 

Arrangements for Wednesday 16th October

Loudoun Hill

Meet at the square in Darvel at 10am for a walk to Loudoun Hill. 

Outward route along the old railway line to the base of the hill where some can decide to climb the hill. Return via the outward route to make it an 8 mile outing or continue round by the Long Cairn back to Darvel to make it 10 miles in total.

Portencross 2nd October

Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Jimmy, Johnny, Paul, Robert

The weather was sunny, but with a wee, cold wind, as we set off at 9.50am, having assured ourselves that no-one else was coming. From the car park at Portencross we went in a clockwise direction, passing the castle and then the power stations, both currently being decommissioned. As we made our way along the road, we noticed that there was no longer a ‘bubble’ in the water i.e. the outlet from the station, but some did observe the new ferry, ‘Glen Sannox’, out on her sea trials. Before long we found the gate on our right which took us to today’s coffee spot, a series of large stones just before the main access road to Hunterston.

It was about twenty past eleven when we moved on, crossing the road and then following the cycle/bridle path until we stopped at a minor road on our right, just beyond the entrance to Hunterston Castle. Alan had come equipped with a map and he pointed out that this was the route to Goldenberry Hill. Allan, Dougie, Johnny and Robert decided to continue on the ‘traditional’ low-level road, observing as they did, what appeared to be some serious electricity infrastructure that had been recently built. They continued on the weel-kent route and were back at the cars by twenty-five to one, in nice time for lunch.

The others followed what was a well-defined path up to the top of the hill before descending to the car park via Ardneil Farm. The view from the top was excellent and the consensus was that this was a straightforward climb with the only obstacles, for some, being a number of gates, lots of cows and an electric fence. Shocking! Otherwise, no issues at all. They arrived back about ten minutes after the first group with both groups having covered about seven miles. Once all had finished lunch, we continued to the Lauriston in Ardrossan for FRT in their sports bar. We were the only customers and, while we enjoyed our drinks, the copious televisions showed motorbike racing followed by baseball, a subject about which Paul was able to provide a masterclass to those around him.

Despite it being a tpd, we were on our way home by half-past two, having enjoyed our day out and having added another option to the Portencross circle.

Some images from the Portencross walk