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.