Catrine to Ballochmyle Viaduct 6th May

 Alan, Alan McQ, Allan, Davie Mc, Dougie, Graham, Gus, Hugh, Jimmy, Johnny, Paul, Peter, Rex, Robert

There was an impressive turnout at Catrine to welcome Peter’s return to walking with us on a dry but rather chilly morning. It was great to have him back with us.

The route is the familiar one along the river and then up to the Howford Bridge. What we hadn’t realised is that someone had done some work to make the various uphill sections steeper than they had been before and therefore some brief stops were made to catch our breath. We took coffee under the bridge at our usual place before continuing up to the Ballochmyle Viaduct. By this time the sky was getting bluer and the temperature, at last, was climbing and since it was only about eleven o’clock it was decided to continue down the path to the river’s edge and continue towards the Haugh. Davie decided to deviate back up away from this path as we approached the rocks as they might be slippy and was followed soon after by Paul. The right decision, guys! These rocks had to be negotiated with extreme care and the ascent back up to the track was challenging.

No matter, we all made it and continued noting the remains of the glade which fed water to the mill at the Haugh for cutting sandstone. We didn’t go as far as the Haugh but cut back up to return to the viaduct having met Davie and Paul who had come the ‘easy’ way. By quarter to twelve we were sitting at the viaduct having lunch. The scenery today was excellent with extensive patches of bluebells to add some more colour to the fresh greens of the trees and bushes, but it has to be said that some of the steps on the path are badly needing repaired.

On reaching the old Howford road on the way back, Alan McQ, Graham and Gus decided to walk up to Mauchline from there, whilst the rest retraced their steps, yet again negotiating the ups and downs, back to the cars. Both groups had covered about five and a half miles in the three hours or so.

The threesome made the Black Bull before the rest arrived and had chosen to sit in the sitooterie for our refreshments. Even a shortage of Guinness did not spoil our post-walk banter, and we were treated as always to very welcome sausage rolls. Thanks again, folks! Another fine day out.

 

Arrangements for Wednesday 13th May

 Dalquharran Trails and Bargany Gardens

Meet in Dailly for a walk on the trails around the old and new Dalquharran Castles followed by a visit to the nearby Bargany Gardens which are only open to the public during the month of May when the azaleas and rhododendron are in bloom. Total mileage for the day will be around 6 miles on easy, well-surfaced paths.

Cumbrae 29th April

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

The beautiful weather continued as we met in Largs for the ferry to Cumbrae. Diversions in Irvine meant that the Kilmarnock guys made it just in time, but the 9.50am ferry had us at the slip in Cumbrae in no time. There are serious construction works beside the slip, and it was later found out that a new one, terminal buildings and parking lanes are on their way.

A quick discussion took place as to the direction to go but, as Jimmy had indicated that he needed to be back early, all agreed to head up to the Glaid Stone for coffee before dropping down into Millport. Jimmy turned back straightaway from here after a look at the cathedral and headed back to the ferry via Ferry Road. Most had a bite to eat in the Garrison whilst some took their pieces in the gardens at the front. Dougie hasn’t had a lot of luck at the café in that that they usually forget to bring him his meal but today, just as we were beginning to think that the same was going to happen, it eventually appeared. It was a leisurely break, and it was a thought to move on again with Alan, Allan, Davie, Ian and Johnny choosing the shorter way back up Ferry Road whilst the remainder took to the west side of the island.

The former group were in the Douthy Neebors by quarter past two whilst the others, some of whom had stopped for an ice-cream at Fintry Bay, arrived about three. It was very pleasant sitting in the busy beer garden and indeed it had been a most pleasant walk with the temperature being perfect and the scenery magnificent. According to Alan McQ, his group had done ten and a half miles whilst the others had done about seven and a half miles according to Johnny.

A grand day out!

More images from Cumbrae

 

Some images from the Cumbrae walk

   

Arrangements for Wednesday 6th May

Catrine to Ballochmyle Viaduct

Meet in Catrine for walk along River Ayr Way to the Ballochmyle Viaduct and return.

Future plans

Wednesday 13th May

Dalquharran Trails, Dailly and Bargany Gardens 

Wednesday 20th May

Guided walk in Glasgow

Erskine to Clydebank 22nd April

 

Alan, Allan, Davie C, Dougie, Graham, Gus, Ian, Malcolm, Rex, Robert

We started the day with a coffee in the café at Caulders Garden Centre before, reluctantly, getting underway on a bright, sunny morning, but still with a wee edge to the breeze. Alan, Allan, and Davie took the option to drive over the Erskine Bridge and park at the far side before walking up to Clydebank shopping centre whilst the rest set off on foot from the garden centre. The threesome walked leisurely along the canal path expecting the others to catch them up, but they reached their target ten minutes before the main group. It was then a short walk by all to McMonagles for lunch, and a very tasty and filling lunch it was, fish and black pudding suppers.

The walk back was even easier as the breeze was behind us, and it was most pleasant in the warm sunshine. As per earlier, the three took to Alan’s car whilst the rest walked back over the bridge with the last man getting back at about twenty past two, approximately four hours after having started. The bridge walkers had done nine miles whilst the others had done a tad over six. It was good to have had Ian back with us, but he could not join us for FRT, so we said our farewells and set off for the Brown Bull in Lochwinnoch where we had the place to ourselves and relaxed after our walk. 

Last week we had been in constant rain, this week in constant sunshine. That’s Scotland for you, and all enjoyed today’s outing.

Arrangements for 29th April

Millport

Meet in Largs at 9.30am for the 9.50am ferry to Cumbrae. 

Blairquhan, Straiton 15th April

 

 

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

The forecast was for rain all morning, and it did not disappoint! The early birds took coffee in the Buck Tearoom on the Main Street in Straiton whilst the rest arrived. Jimmy had forgotten his waterproof jacket (what a day to forget it) but was soon kitted out by the gents’ outfitters amongst us and we were on our way just after ten o’clock. This was a new walk for most of us, so we kept our leader, Alan McQ, in sight as we left the village and turned left down the B741 before turning right through a gap in the hedge into a field populated by a couple of horses. The path led us down beside the Water of Girvan and up towards the minor road that took us on to the road up to Blairquhan Castle. The rain, although never chucking it down, was persistent and, in exposed areas, the wind was quite strong, but we continued in good spirits until our leader took us down a detour to the right to view a wee cemetery to the Hunter Blairs. Included were the two graves of servicemen who died in the second world war, which explained the sign we saw earlier denoting it as a Commonwealth War Grave.

From there it was a shortish walk up to Blairquhan Castle which we approached by turning left at the Garden Pond and observing the walled garden. The castle itself is a substantial and well-maintained building, as were the grounds, and we paused for a few minutes before following the road again, sheltered by the trees, down to the summer house/ boat house beside a small loch called Approach Loch. Unfortunately, we could not access the well-appointed house, so we had to settle for taking coffee outside under the canopy.

 

It was quarter to twelve when we got underway again with Alan McQ suggesting that we should walk further up the road to the waterfall (Linn) before turning back, saying it would probably add another couple of miles or so to the walk, but Alan, Allan, Davie, Malcolm and Robert decided to turn back there, given the weather. The rest marched on whilst the five retraced their steps back towards Straiton but this time sticking to the tarmac surface rather than following the riverside path and over the field. They were back at just after half-past twelve and by the time they had got changed, finished their pieces and Alan and Davie had gone into the tearoom for a bowl of soup, the others arrived back at five to one. Alan McQ had overestimated the distance to the linn, hence the earlier than expected return.

Paul and Robert went straight home but the rest headed to the High Society in Maybole for FRT, a new venue for us. We were well enough received and had the games room to ourselves, but it was a bit lacking in atmosphere. However, as the drink took its effect, the Ooters, in true Ooters style, livened thinks up with the conversation descending to its usual standard! A good time was had, the bill was surprisingly modest, and the rain had gone off by the time we left.

The bigger group had done six and a bit miles today, whilst the others had done just over five and a half in wet conditions, although it was not cold. On a better day this would be a good walk so maybe it can be repeated some time later in the year. On another note, the High Society is for sale, as was the Black Bull Hotel in Straiton, and also from last week, the Dalmellington Inn. Sign of the times, or is there an Ooters’ factor to it?