20 March 2024 Ochiltree to Knockroon

 Present: Bob, Jimmy, Rex, Malcolm, Dougie, Paul, Derval Davie, Killie Davie, Gus, Alan St. and Hugh.

Having got off the bus at the brig over the Lugar Water, the above 11 wasted no time and set off at a brisk pace along the river. It was a calm morning with the trees nicely reflected in the water (see Jimmy's photos). Heavy rain had seriously damaged parts of the new path especially at Mill Affleck farm where the wooden brig had been carried a few yards off the path, with the result that all of us ended up with very muddy boots negotiating the sheuch/burn. In jig-time we were up at the Barony A-frame enjoying a coffee stop, before proceeding down the old pit bing and meeting up again with Alan at the Burns Rotunda for lunch. (Alan was suffering with a sore knee and opted to miss out the A-Frame section.)

After lunch we crossed first the Chinese brig and then the Adam brig and continued through the wood and onto the path proper again. The section of the path back to the cars at Knockroon proved to be rather muddy as well. The walk only took 2 hours 35 minutes and that included the two stops, so will probably be one of the shortest walks we'll do this year.

FRT was taken in the Black Bull in Mauchline. Killie Davie bought the first round to celebrate his second daughter getting married and once again we were treated to 2 big platefuls of sausage rolls. Thanks to Davie and the barmaid.

6th March: The Lunky Hole Walk (minus the Lunky Hole)

 Present: Derval Davie, Killie Davie, Bob, Gus, Dougie, Paul, Jimmy, Graham, Rex and Malcolm

The above 10 gathered at Kames Car Park in Muirkirk on what must be the sunniest morning the Ooters have had for a walk in 2024. Setting off just before 10, we made our way down to Tibbie's brig where Jimmy called for a photo shoot. Graham tried to explain to a bemused Davie how the fancy fencing beside the bench was made, using words like lasers and computers and such like. A conventicle-like gathering /halt was called here but eventually they were ushered to move on, so down the Garpel Burn we went, climbed the steps and on to the old railway. Some massive puddles were evident here, testimony to the amount of rain we have had recently.

Davie had warned the group that the path beyond Upper Wellwood farm might be impassable because of deep mud, as it had been when he tried to do the walk at the beginning of January. However it turned out to be not too bad although as you can see from Jimmy's photos the path was still in a state due to a JCB churning it up. Later it became obvious that the JCB had been used in the construction of a new brig opposite the ruins of Wellwood House. A very impressive bridge has been built, probably at some cost, where a simple wooden structure would have sufficed.

On we went along the river, with the usual coffee stop being called on the boardwalk. Once we had crossed the Cumnock road, a few of us took the time to admire the old heronry in the wee fir plantation here. The herons have not been seen here for a couple of years, but let's hope they return to nest this year.

On we went up the Dalfram Avenue road, crossed the Sorn road, and enjoyed the downhill stretch to Netherwood Farm. Lunch was taken with our backs to the stane-dyke revelling in the glorious sunshine.

Lunch over, we turned off down to Burnfoot Farm before crossing the Greenock Water brig and heading on to the forest roads. Since we knew that the bottom road at the lochans would be flooded, we headed past the Long Stone of Convention (without stopping to visit it) and emerged onto the Strathaven road. Davie turned left at Kirkburnhead Cottage to shouts of disappointment from some that Graham was going to miss out on the Lunky Hole. Rude comments about Vaseline, etc were made, but we promised Graham that the Lunky Hole would be exposed to him on our next visit here.

Soon we passed the old Muirkirk Parish Church with its interesting graveyard, turned along Crossflatt road and started the last leg of our almost 11 mile walk back to the carpark. It had taken 4 hours and 20 minutes, but it was a day to savour because of the sunny weather. 

Paul headed for home while the rest of us enjoyed a good hour of banter in the Black Bull in Mauchline.

Cumnock Circular 10 January

Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Gus, Hugh, Jimmy, Johnny, Paul, Rex, Robert

The weather was much calmer than it was a fortnight ago when we met in the same car park in Cumnock for the day’s walk. After the bright, but cold, past few days it was overcast with the temperature just above freezing. Good walking conditions though. Jimmy led us across the path through the new playing fields to the bridge over the Lugar and on to the riverside trail which we followed to the grounds of Dumfries House. Coffee was taken at the rotunda, sadly locked, but with enough external seating to accommodate us.

Just after eleven o’clock saw us cross the Chinese Bridge and take a right up the steps and on to the path which took us to the entrance road into the estate, a road we followed up to the main road, the A70.

Now, when they same that auld age disnae come itsel’, they might be right, as our guide had a senior moment and took us down to the right before realising after ten minutes that we should have gone left. We weren’t too sore on him, as we soon retraced our steps and continued towards Cumnock until we turned right on to Station Avenue which we followed relentlessly upwards until the old estate station was reached. It had been years since most of us had been here and we were reminded that the last time we had come this way the snow was thick on the ground. Anyway, after a short view stop, we continued on this road until we came to Skares Road. Turning left and we would have been back in Cumnock in jig-time, but we turned right and headed past what remains of Garrallan school (where Derval Davie’s dad attended) before taking a left and stopping for lunch at the side of the road.

It was about half-past twelve when we moved on, taking a left on to Cairn Road, and continuing down to Cumnock. Unfortunately, the road back into Cumnock was marred with litter and bigger deposits of fly-tipping, a topic we have covered many times in the past. However, we crossed the bridge over the bypass and took a left into ‘the Glens’ housing estate, where we stopped to be informed that the flat we were looking at was where Davie was born, and the one across the road was where Jimmy was born. No blue plaques on display to commemorate these momentous events, but we look forward to future walks when the twosome can take us take us to places where further important events in their development took place. Well, maybe not!

We eventually came out at Hearth Road, across from Aldi, and it was just a short walk back to the cars. As said before, the weather had been overcast and we had encountered some moisture, more like low cloud than actual rain, but all in all it had been a good day out having covered eight miles in three and a quarter hours. FRT was taken in a very quiet Black Bull in Mauchline where we were very well received and supplied with sausage rolls and biscuits. Hospitality like that deserves to be rewarded. We will be back!

Failford to Stair walk

Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Iain, Jimmy, Malcolm, Paul and Rex.

The above 9 Ooters met at Failford on a glorious sunny morning, the warmest walk-day of the year so far. It was nice to welcome Iain Bonnear back after his prolonged absence. although on the return  journey the pace was proving too much for him and, to quote, he was "rapidly losing the will to live". So the usual "no compassion" was shown to Iain on his first walk back.

The Failford Gorge was looking resplendently lush, with lots of wildflowers in abundance with several of us commenting on the superb white blossom of the hawthorn trees.

We took the lower path along the river which meant of course we had 100 lung bursting steps at the other end to negotiate.

Before long we were heading past Daldorch farm and the massive barley crop on our right. Jimmy was heard to guess how many bottles of malt whisky could be made from such a field.

Of course, it was now time to enter the wood where the landslip is. Your scribe had not been as far as this for a long time and didn't know what to expect. Unfortunately the landslip has got much worse since we last did the walk; lots more vegetation and some really difficult, dangerous, obstacles to manoeuvre round. However we all made it safely to our lunch spot at Stair weir, where we noticed that the old sluice and lade seemed to be in operation again, and a new sign "Dalmore Hydro" could be seen across the road where the honing works used to be.

There were no dissenting voices when it was suggested we take the easy way back, avoiding the landslip again although Isla was not happy about walking on the main road, sitting down and waiting till each car passed by before continuing, causing Davie to be well behind at the coo's tail for a while.

The return journey proved very pleasant indeed, (maybe not for Iain), and we arrived back at the cars 3 hours and 20 minutes after we had set off.  We were all desperate for FRT which of course we enjoyed in the sit-ooterie of the Black Bull in Mauchline. Sausage rolls were provided as usual and we enjoyed a good hour's banter. Fabulous day out!

Text by Davie and photos by Jimmy

 

Howford to Failford

 Alan, Bob, Davie McM, Gus, Hugh, Jim, Jimmy, Paul and Rex (& Isla)

Nine of us gathered on the old Howford Brig road at the designated time to complete the part of the River Ayr Way that most of us had never done before. The weather was to be sunny all day, although a cold wind was felt occasionally. All agreed that the bluebells and all the other spring flowers in the Mauchline Gorge looked fabulous.

At the Haugh we turned right and up to Haughyett Farm, turning left to head for the Barskimming road, where Isla had to be put on the lead much to her displeasur. At Mosshead Farm we took a right and eventually passed the old sandstone quarry,  (closed 1910 due to flooding) and headed across country to the gatehouse on the main Failford  road.  The path entails walking a fair distance on a busy main road; not to be recommended.

Now on the way back, we retraced our steps to the chopped down forest for lunch sitting on the stumps as we had done on the way out for our coffee break.

With the exception of Paul and Jim, we  made our way along the slippy rocks at the cliffs, enjoying the beauty of the gorge.

The walk had taken 3 hours and 55  minutes, a wee bit longer than we had ettled.

A very enjoyable FRT session was had in the sitooterie of the Black Bull in Mauchline.

Images of the walk up to the Deil's Back Door

featuring Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Davie McM, Dougie, Gus, Ian, Jimmy, Malcolm, Rex and Robert.

(image courtesy of Dougie)

(image courtesy of Dougie)

Failford to Gadgirth Bridge 12 June

Allan, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Ian, Jimmy, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul, Peter

Whilst our six ASHA members were away in Fife, eleven of us met up at Failford on a dry morning. There was a cool breeze at our starting point but, once under way (and, as we were all present, we set off ten minutes early), we were sheltered, meaning that walking conditions were good, particularly as parts of the track had been recently strimmed.

We started off as a group, following our accustomed route along the River Ayr Walkway but, on reaching the path to Peden’s Pulpit, Jimmy led a few to see it, whilst the rest continued on the main path. On reaching the steps down to the low-level path Davie couldn’t resist the temptation, whilst the rest, including Holly, made their way up to the bench to await the others. Davie arrived seconds later stating it was 111 steps up from the bottom (Nelson in cricket terms), but it took those who had gone to see the pulpit a wee bit longer to catch up as they had tried to come straight up the banking, realised that this was not achievable, and had gone back down to catch the path the rest had taken. As far as the bench is concerned, Ian had told us on the way to it that he had taken his wife, no, not Tracey, on the walk a week or two back and had been surprised to see that the bench had disappeared. But today, there it was, where it always had been, and showing absolutely no signs of removal. Ian was mystified and, as could be expected, was ribbed by the rest of us about where he had actually been, and with whom! All these sunshine holidays must be having an effect!
Anyway, we marched on from there, ignoring the diversion at Daldorch, and followed the riverside path towards Stair. The tricky bits caused by landslips were relatively easily negotiated, with Hugh recognising one a group of three walkers coming in the opposite direction, and our coffee stop at the weir was reached at about half past eleven.
Crossing the road, we made our way through the honing works (The Tam o’ Shanter Honing Works as we were reminded by Davie) and joined the path alongside fields of what we think was barley which took us to Enterkine Viaduct and Gadgirth Bridge. Lunch was taken at our usual spot beside the river whilst we contemplated that it had taken us the best part of two and a half hours to cover the five and a half miles to get there.
Decisions, decisions! To go back the way we had come (the shorter quicker way according to the sage from Darvel), or go up the road to Enterkine House and return that way to Daldorch. In the event, Jimmy, Paul, Gus, Dougie and Hugh took the latter route, whilst the rest, and Holly, retraced their steps. This group stopped at the weir again to allow Johnny and Peter to catch up before making their way to the signpost at the diversion at Daldorch in the expectation of having to wait for the other group. Whilst waiting it was noticed that Holly was missing, so some time was spent looking for her before we got a call from Jimmy. His group were actually ahead of us, having made good time on the tarmac, and Holly (no doubt having sniffed them!) had caught up with them. By the time we reassembled back at Ian’s bench the quicker group had been there for about ten minutes and, after a short breather, we marched on taking the slightly shorter, higher path back to Failford.
Five hours and eleven miles were today’s numbers, and, for many of us, it felt like it! It was just as well that there had been no rain as Dougie discovered, on arriving back at his car, that he had left his shoes where he had taken them off  i.e. on the tarmac next to his car! It’s coming to us all!
The Faiford Inn is still closed, although there is a sign in the window stating that it is opening soon, so the Black Bull in Mauchline was our venue for FRT, and where some weary Ooters spent a good hour.
Footnote
It was Neil Simpson who crocked Ian Durrant on 8^th October 1988. If you check it out on-line, it was a horrendous tackle.

Good to have Peter with us again

The Ayrshire countryside

Who's going to give me a bit of their piece?

Durisdeer 1 May

Alan, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Gus, Hugh, Ian, Jimmy, Malcolm, Rex

The forecast had not been that good for the Durisdeer area, but we travelled in hope and, unfortunately, were disappointed. The persistent, very light rain that we encountered at the parking spot was to remain with us until it relented just as the walk was finished. Such was the dreichness that we never saw the golf ball (or football) all day.

Anyway, we were well wrapped up in waterproofs as we set off just after ten past ten and headed up to Kettleton Bothy. As always, particularly as it was a mild day, this got a sweat going, and by the time we sat down for our coffee, we were wetter from the inside than the outside. Derval Davie took time to record our visit in the bothy’s book and was reminded not to make any errors with his apostrophe’s!

The next leg took us to the highest point of the day before we started the descent down the track above the reservoir. Before long, Davie Mc, Gus Hugh, Ian and Rex headed off down the slope towards the dam with the intent of crossing over and going across the fields to Morton Castle. Alan saw them going but decided, correctly, that they had cut off too early, so he led the rest down the track for a bit before leading his group safely over the burn and up the adjacent steep wee path. They could see the first group crossing over the dam and then heading down to join them. Gus apparently had fallen on his bum going down the slope. He had survived, but his umbrella was well and truly broken. On the walk down to the castle Holly had to be put on the lead as the fields were full of sheep, some with lambs and some ready to produce, and it was a feature of the day just how many sheep and lambs we saw.

On reaching Morton Castle, the rain seemed to get a wee bit heavier and, as it was coming straight down (no wind), it was difficult to get a dry spot for our lunch, but, eventually, nooks and crannies were found for shelter.

The walk along the road back to the cars, the dreariest part of the walk, was done at a very smart pace, meaning we arrived back at two o’clock. By going overland to the castle rather than walking round the road shaved a mile or so off the distance, and despite the gizmos offering different information, we settled on approximately nine miles in about three hours and fifty minutes. The area at the back of the church, where the Queensberry Marbles are housed, offered shelter to get changed out of very wet gear and into pleasantly dry stuff. As was said earlier, the rain had not been that heavy but had just been persistent meaning that wet weather gear had remained on for the whole walk. Biggest problem of the day was trying to get out of Durisdeer because, as the convoy moved off, it came to an abrupt stop as the driver at the front had stopped to pick rhubarb growing at the side of the road!

As we drove back to the Black Bull in Mauchline for FRT, and thanks again for the complimentary nibbles, the weather changed and the sun appeared, making for a satisfying end to a good day out, despite the weather.

Taps Aff! 18 April (Cumnock to A-Frame)

Alan, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Jim, Jimmy, Johnny, Kenny T, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert

There was a very healthy turnout at the Cumnock Swimming Pool car park prior to our journey up Glen Afton for the Four Tops walk i.e. Blackcraig. Blacklorg etc. However, for a variety of reasons, Allan, Davie Mc, Jimmy, Johnny, Malcolm and Robert decided that a shorter low-level walk would suffice, and so they set off for Dumfries House and Ochiltree, whilst the rest headed off for the hills. The weather was overcast, with a hint of moisture, but the forecast had predicted an ever-improving scenario.

Following the Lugar, the six reached the estate in jig time and made their way up to the café at Dumfries House for scones and coffee, as had been previously decided. On reaching the entrance to the café they were dumbfounded to see the rest of the guys making their way in. The weather up the glen had been so bad – low mist, rain, and wind - that they had decided that discretion was the better part of valour and had returned to join us.
After a leisurely coffee break, the returnees got changed and joined the walk up to the Barony A-Frame, a traditional lunch spot. Although parts of the route were muddy, they were not as bad as we have seen them and certainly not as bad as last week. The weather by this time was brighter and warmer, although there was a fair wind blowing, not an issue for those who managed to get a seat in the wee shelter for lunch.

Not as dramatic as Paul's pic

The next debate was where to go now. The majority wanted to continue to Ochiltree and get the bus back, but a few wished to return the way they came, since their cars were parked at Dumfries House. Rather than have a schism, it was decided, in the interests of harmony, that we would stick together and retrace our steps. The original six left the guys to admire the grounds of the estate whilst they completed the round trip back to Cumnock.
The day had taken an unexpected turn with those doing the shorter walk walking further (just over eight miles) than those who wished the bigger walk, having been on the go for the best part of four hours.
FRT was taken in the Black Bull in Mauchline where Davie C treated us to the first round in celebration of his eldest daughter’s recent marriage.. Thanks, Davie, and we are pleased that everything went well. We were also treated to sausage rolls and pizza in the Bull. Thanks again!
This turned out to be a three-day pint, or whatever! A good day out.

Catrine to the Haugh and back 14 Sep 2017

Present: Jim, Ian, Paul, Jimmy, Gus, Peter, Dougie, Robert, Davie M, Rex, Kenny R, Kenny T

For the second time our planned traverse of the Four Tops at Glenafton had to be postponed because of the prospect of heavy rain. As it turned out, there was only one shower, albeit extremely heavy, during our walk from the old bank car park opposite Peter's house to the Haugh at Mauchline and back.
We did the wee loop through the wood that runs parallel to the road before heading past Kingencleuch Farm and down to the river just east of the Haugh. The path was in a frightful state due to the amount of rain that had fallen; indeed it was in the worst condition your scribe has ever seen in decades of walking in this area.
Lunch was taken under the Ballochmyle Viaduct with Davie mentioning that if you visit Kelvingrove Art Gallery in Glasgow you will see a fair-sized painting of the viaduct. This painting was commissioned by the Glasgow and South West Railway Company to celebrate the viaduct's opening in 1850, it having the longest single masonry arch in the world at that time.
We arrived back at the cars roughly three hours 15 minutes after we had set out.
FRT was as is our wont taken at the Black Bull in  Mauchline where there was plenty of the usual gay banter. Sincere thanks go to the barmaid for serving up pizzas which disappeared like snaw aff a dyke.

Dalfram to Sorn 28 June 2017

11 Present: Jim, Jimmy, Peter, Davie C, Davie M, Bob, Rex, Kenny T, Ian, Malcolm, Dougie, Gus.

Having organised the cars at both ends, we set off from Dalfram about 5 to 10. It was not bright but at least it was dry, although, as we discovered to our cost, the overnight rain was going to make it very wet underfoot.

The first section across Aird's Moss was easy going with Davie M pointing out where John Lapraik's house stood. It was only after our coffee stop at the old brig over the Greenock Water that we started to encounter some deep grass.  No maintenance had been done on this section of the path although later on in the day we came across some young guys towards the Sorn end scything and strimming and uncovering the path.

It was remarked on the proliferation of wild orchids to be found; some light blue and others a very deep purple. Davie M managed to astound Bob by pointing out some Ragged Robin, a flower which Bob hadn't heard of. At one point on the path we came across a dose of gunnera (no, not the stuff you need antibiotics for). This was neck high or in Davie C's case …  By the way, has anybody seen Davie C since?

After we passed the guys working on the path, the walk became an absolute dawdle and we arrived back at the cars 3 hours and 55 minutes after we had left the cars.  Again although not a bright day the weather had been kind to us.

Some left early to attend a Kilmarnock Academy retirement presentation while the rest of us repaired  to the Black Bull in Mauchline for FRT. The barmaid supplied us with a huge plate of pizza which disappeared like snaw aff a dyke. Our thanks go to her.

Davie M mentioned that if Alan S wasn't present on the walks, the blog wasn't getting written up. As the blog constitutes the history of the Early Ooters he felt that this should be rectified and suggested that each of us take a turn at writing a description of the walk. Let's see what happens.

Corsencon - 13 January

O were I on Parnassus hill, 

Or had of Helicon my fill, 

That I might catch poetic skill 

To sing how dear I love thee! 

But Nith maun be my muse's well, 

My muse maun be thy bonnie sel'; 

On Corsincon I'll glower and spell, 

And write how dear I love thee. Robert Burns

Kenny R, Kenny T, Jim, Robert, Paul, Davie C, Davie M, Rex, Gus, Alan and Malcolm (despite disinformation from certain quarters).
There haven’t been many opportunities this season to enjoy a proper winter’s day, but today we struck lucky.

Many of us had already spotted snow on Corsencon as we headed towards our assembly point in Cumnock, where the car park had a thin glaze of ice and a smattering of hail. There was just time enough to construct a slide in the car park before we set off for New Cumnock.

Mansfield Road, the long road out from Pathhead, was treacherous with black ice, but fortunately the grass verge provided a sounder footing. On our previous expedition we had stopped for coffee at the water filter serving Glen Farm, so no discussion was necessary on our second outing. We were now above the snow line so Rex donned his Yak Trax © and with caffeine levels topped up, immediately moved into overdrive as we recommenced our long ascent. In fact, the fresh snow on the road made the walking much easier for everyone.

We took a peak at the kilns of the old Craigdullyeart Lime Works, attractively embellished by the contents of a ripped-out kitchen, and in no time we were ready to leave the tarmac to begin our ascent of the hill itself. It was observed that no trace remained of the coal conveyor.

There was now proper snow underfoot and we were grateful to Gus for leading the way and creating footings for those in his train.  In hollows, the snow was a good foot deep. The trig point at 1547 feet was soon reached and we lingered on the summit of Corsencon to admire the view and pose for the official photograph.

On our first visit we had made a very steep descent, but this time we followed more gentle contours with just a short steep section near the foot of the hill. At the foot, an extremely high fence topped by barbed wire (so that’s why you offered to write the blog. Ed.) blocked our path and Paul eventually admitted defeat, but 50 yards further on was able to step over that same fence.

As before, we stopped for lunch at the mobile phone mast.

The return to New Cumnock was far easier than the way out since the roads had been gritted. We did, however, manage to leave Alan behind as he stopped for whatever he had to stop for. Someone with an ability to count beyond 10 realised we’d lost one of our number and glanced back.

“What’s Alan doing back there?”, he asked.

“Trying to catch up”, came the reply.

And on we went.

Just as Alan was about to bridge the gap, a car which had passed us earlier returned and drew up alongside Alan. The window was wound down and something about viewing puppies was discussed with the two women in the car.

FRT was taken at the Black Bull in Mauchline. By this time the rain which had been forecast had started.

For once the weather gods had smiled on us.