Turnberry to Culzean 11th September

Alan McQ, Davie C, Dougie, Graham, Hugh, Rex

When we met at Turnberry to debate whether to continue down to Ballantrae, an unfavourable weather forecast had already made it look unlikely that we'd end up doing the planned walk along the Ayrshire Coastal Path from Glenapp to Ballantrae, but when we learnt that a road accident had caused the A77 to be closed in both directions at Glenapp the decision not to proceed was effectively made for us. We therefore followed plan B which was not to go directly to the pub but to walk an alternative route from Turnberry to Culzean.

Shortly after setting off, the expected rain started which caused those who had not already done so to don their waterproof trousers with the exception of your scribe who reckoned it would be the briefest of passing showers which indeed it was and we had no further rain for the duration of today's walk. A short distance after passing Turnberry Hotel, we crossed the road and through a gate onto one of the three old runways originally built in 1917. Our route continued past the building which was formerly air traffic control now converted into a private residence and Shanter Farm which was once home of Douglas Graham who was the inspiration of Burns' poem Tam o' Shanter. We stopped in Maidens to inspect the library of books which were on display in a repurposed old red telephone box but there was no honesty box to be seen so either it had been pinched or more likely the library operated on a simple book exchange system. The air was very clear today and we enjoyed pin-sharp visibility over to the Isle of Arran where the houses of Whiting Bay could be clearly seen. We continued through the caravan site and into the grounds of Culzean Country Park where we stopped for coffee at the swan pond until the wasps persuaded us to move on. Rather than turn back at the swan pond, we walked on a bit further to the castle itself, crossed the viaduct and returned to the swan pond via the walled gardens. By the time we were back at the swan pond, it was time for us to have lunch and the wasps returned to pester us.

The return route to Turnberry involved us walking back to Maidens along the beach then using the pavement alongside the main road for a short distance before taking the road up to Turnberry Lighthouse. The final mile of today's outing was along the very pleasant Turnberry beach back to the cars. Your scribe measured today's outing as being exactly 10 miles and it had been a very flat walk all the way round. 

Our watering hole of choice today was The Anchorage in Dunure where we spent a pleasant hour and the usual suspect (and the most recently retired Ooter) made it a three-pint day. All-in-all a very good day out given the initial concerns about the weather forecast and disappointment of not making it down to Glenapp.

Croy to Maidens - 30 November 2022

 Present: Alan, Bob, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Malcolm, Paul and Rex.

All nine of the above were kitted up ready to go by a quarter to ten on a beautiful calm November morning. However we decided to wait to see if there were any latecomers but since nobody showed up we set off at 3 minutes to 10. Walking along the sand on the shore was a pleasure although some paddling through the stony burn caused some dancing about.  

In about 40 or so minutes had reached the esplanade at Culzean Castle where a coffee stop was called for. Culzean was very quiet as one might expect at this time of year. Having gone along the west side of the Swan Pond, we cut off to the right and Davie called a view stop on the cliff above Maidens shore, with the lighthouse in the distance presenting a lovely picture.

Lunch was taken down at Maidens harbour before we set off on our return journey, taking the shorter route  round the east shore of the pond, and going down the steep steps to the shore-side cottages.

We reached the car park 3 hours and 35 minutes after we we had set out. FRT was taken at the Balgarth Hotel in Alloway, where a discussion was held as how to pronounce the Italian lager Menabrea. 

A first class day out.

Images of the walk between Croy and Maidens featuring Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Davie McM, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Malcolm, Paul and Robert

Today's walk got off to a downhill start

Clear views of Culzean Castle and Ailsa Craig from Croy Shore

Leading the way

Isla waits patiently for her two-legged friends

A splinter group of Ooters went to inspect the caves below the castle

        

The caves have been in use since the Iron Age and were used by smugglers in the 1700s

https://www.nts.org.uk/stories/chance-to-discover-culzean-castles-subterranean-secrets

Down to Maidens shore

Beach boys

Some images of the walk from Maidens to Maybole featuring Alan McQ, Davie C, Davie McM, Dougie, Gus, Ian, Jimmy, Kenny R, Paul, Peter, Rex and Robert.

   

   

Some images from the walk between Dunure and Culzean

     Setting off from Dunure

    Holly leads the way

    Lookout! Here come the Ooters!

    One dog and her stick

    Can you see Malcolm's hat? It's not on his head.

 

      Approaching Culzean

    Ready to start the walk back from Culzean

    Down to the shore past the old gas house

    Along a short wooded section to Segganswell cottage

     Back on the beach

 

      There's that man and his dug again

    Reaching the end of another great day oot

Dunure to Culzean and back 5 April

Alan, Allan, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Ian, Johnny, Kenny T, Malcolm, Paul, Peter

There was a chill wind and overcast sky as we set off for Culzean from Dunure. We were pleased to see that Jimmy Begg and his band of volunteers had been at work on the muddy steep slope on the path, the result being that steps were well defined and a start had been made on laying gravel. A work in progress, but much appreciated. Leaving the path, we headed for the fields, which had dried out nicely, and made the track down to the beach after about forty-five minutes. Coffee was called for at our ‘usual’ wee rock outcrop just before the caravan park.

The Beach Boys

There were no issues with the tide, so the walk along the beach to Culzean was relatively easy. At the castle, lunch was taken on benches overlooking the gardens below, which were closed due to work taking place.

Culzean beefs up its security

Leaving our lunch spot, we made our way up to the book shop and courtyard, before trying to continue to the next set of steps down to the beach. However, the way was blocked due to extensive works being done on car parking. One of the workers recognised us, as we had spoken to him when we were at Chalmerston, and we were greeted as old friends. He was able to tell us that £3.5 million was being spent on reconfiguring the car parks and that the Forest of Dean stone slabs they were using came in at £1300 a pallet. Since there was no heavy plant moving at the time, we were let through to continue our journey, pondering as to where next we would meet up with him.
The journey back along the beach saw skies clearing and the temperature rising making walking conditions ideal. We took a short stop back at our rock sit-ootery before tackling our climb up the cliff and the undulating, but mainly upward, walk over the fields back to the track down to Dunure.
About four hours and ten minutes and 9.8 miles made for a good step out.

Turn right when you reach the water, Davie!

FRT was taken outside at the Dunure Inn in extremely pleasant conditions. The beer and chips were fine but, Oh, the coffee!

Davie's photos:-

Maidens to Maybole via Mochrum Hill 15 February

Alan McQ, Alan, Allan, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Jim, Jimmy, Johnny, Kenny T, Malcolm, Robert

We met at the Green in Maybole in order to get the bus to Maidens to start our walk. Despite words of caution from the locals, the bus arrived on time and off we went on a tour of rural Carrick before we alighted on a dry morning, but with a chill wind blowing. Alan McQ, (teachers get far too many holidays these days), was using his local knowledge to lead us on a walk which was to take us over Mochrum Hill (270m, 886ft) and back to our starting point. Our friend Ian Hill had taken us up Mochrum Hill before, but for many this was to be a new excursion.

Following the road adjacent to the beach, we made our way up the track and then followed the old railway line until we emerged at the Cat Gates into Culzean. From there we followed Alan as he took us on towards the road just north of the Swan Pond and up to the Walled Garden, where we could see substantial works in progress. Coffee was called for at the picnic benches.
The next stop was at the memorial to the Kennedys, a feature that had gone unnoticed to us in the past. Leaving Culzean at the main entrance point, taking note of new landscaping , we crossed the A719 and took the track which relentlessly took us up towards the hill. When the track ran out, the going got trickier over tufts and the like, and we were grateful that, at this time of the year, we didn’t have the bracken to contend with. With our goal in sight we could see two or three ways to tackle the final climb, but those in front went for the direct and steeper route through some dense heather. The rest followed a bit behind, keeping Jim company on the ascent.

An alternative view of Robert's patience!

Little time was taken to enjoy the view at the trig point as the wind made it a cold spot so we continued on to the well-defined path which would take us down the other side. Alan found us a secluded, sheltered spot for lunch in the woods and as we recovered after our climb and enjoyed our pieces, we could hear light rain starting.
No rest for the wicked! It was soon time to get a move on down through the woods and following the path through thick and thin before emerging on to more open countryside and onto a track which took us down to the B7023. By this time there was a persistent drizzle and, rather than walk along this busy road, Alan took us across the road and up the farm track to Trees Farm before continuing back towards Maybole via Gardenrose Path.
We arrived back four hours and a few minutes after having set off and having covered 15km (nearly nine and a half miles in old money). For convenience, we decided to partake of FRT at the Greenside, a haunt we have used before, but perhaps not again. Unusually, the place was busy with noisy locals, not an issue, but the juke box was blaring, making conversation, even for the Ooters, almost impossible. Add to this the very limited selection of draught beers, it made a disappointing end to an interesting and varied walk. We left after one drink.
Thanks to Alan for leading us today, a new walk to add to the Ooters' portfolio. We look forward to more walks in the future.

Some images fro Mochrum Hill

The Green, Maybole before we set of on the bus.

On the old railway.

First blossom of the year

Approaching the Cat Gates

More snowdrops

Kennedy graves, Culzean

Starting the climb

Coming through the scrub on Mochrum Hill

This one is just fo Bob. Waiting on the summit for the rest to catrch up.