Loudoun Castle 4th March

  

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

It was a fine, but chilly, morning as we assembled at Barrmill Park in Galston for the walk up to Loudoun Castle. Kay dropped Davie and Isla at the gates to the Castle estate as the walk up the main road wouldn’t suit the dog, and they waited as the rest walked towards them at a sensible speed. Alan was wearing his psychedelic sunglasses in the hope he wouldn’t be recognised passing Loudoun Academy, his former place of work, although he was advised not to worry as you are soon forgotten when you leave, allegedly.

Passing through the gates we walked along the driveway and up to the fenced-off remains of the castle and, having skirted around it, we continued on our way. It was difficult to process that there had been a theme park there not so very long ago. Anyway, we eventually left tarmac and took a path through the trees up to Woodhead. Our boots were muddy by this time, indicative of the fact that the path had been mucky in places, hardly surprising given the recent weather.

Emerging back on to the road, there was a discussion about which way to go next, indicative of the divergent aspirations of those involved these days. Go left and continue up the road, or go straight on, a shorter route that would be the quickest way down into Newmilns. The latter option won out, and we walked on for fifteen minutes or so until we stopped for coffee at the old bridge. From there it was a matter of walking down Huggin Craig Road and Borebrae down into the town turning right at Main Street and finding the footbridge over the River Irvine and making our way to Brown Street. Five of our number, Alan, Dougie, Gus, Hugh and Jimmy decided to veer left and go up Windyhill Road and get to Galston that way in order to extend the walk a bit, whilst the rest made their way on to the Strath path for the last leg back to the cars. By this time there was warmth in the sun, and we were beginning to perspire, indicative of too many layers, but the low path group were finished by quarter to one and took what was left of their pieces before heading off to the Black Bull in Darvel for FRT. The others, having taken lunch enroute were about half an hour behind them having done 7.2 miles, half a mile more than the Strath guys.

All reassembled in The Black Bull for refreshments where the sage of Derval introduced the word of the day, indicative, if you hadn’t already guessed. Whether this word will overtake fabulous, or even superb, remains to be seen. Nonetheless a jovial time was had indicative of the camaraderie of the group.

Next week’s word of the day? Suggestions on a postcard!