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 Dunure 27 January

Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Gus, Ian, Jim, Johnny, Kenny R, Kenny T, Rex, Robert

It was raining constantly as we headed to the meeting point at Dunure along roads which contained many dangerously large puddles – not surprising given the amount of rain that had fallen and that the surrounding fields were saturated. However, we were promised a weather window, and so we set off for Maidens hoping for the best.

The tide was well in as we strode down the beach towards Culzean and, although it was raining, it was the cold wind that was causing more of a problem. Soon Culzean was reached and, in the shelter, the day became very pleasant indeed. By the time we reached the castle the sky was brightening and the rain was abating. On descending towards the wee holiday cottage, Davie Mc, still nursing his hip injury, confirmed that that was far enough for him today and he would turn back to Maidens. Johnny and Allan, not wishing to see him walk back alone and not relishing the prospect of the muddy fields further along, decided to join him and were heard to sing ‘Hip, Hip, Hooray’ as they went. Holly was most disappointed to see the others continue without her, but had to accept her fate as the threesome returned to the castle for a coffee in the grounds. By this time the weather had improved dramatically, so they took the cliff path back to the steps down to the shore before making their way back to the cars.

The tree had grown over the wall

How the day had changed!

Too exposed to stop for lunch here today

The walk had taken them two hours and forty minutes and by the time they had got changed, had a quick bite to eat and drove back to Dunure, the rest of the guys were waiting for them. They hadn’t wasted any time and, as expected, had encountered some ‘Somme-like’ conditions whilst crossing the fields.

FRT was taken at the Dunure Inn. We had got the best of the day and enjoyed our day out.

Davie's photos:

Dunure to Culzean 23 July

Alan, Allan, Davie Mc, Gus, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul, Peter, Rex

The fine weather continued as we met at Dunure for our walk to Culzean Castle and back. This was the first time, as far as your scribe can remember, that we have walked from Dunure in a southerly direction as the ‘usual’ route starts at Maidens and ends up at Dunure.

We normally go the other way

The first part of the walk did look and feel different as we climbed the bits we normally went down and vice versa and it added a different slant to our journey. Glad to say, the path through the long grass had been strimmed and the beach was made in about 45 minutes. Coffee was called for immediately and no-one objected as the day was glorious, although the views were a bit hazy.

The tide was on its way out so there was no difficulty in reaching Culzean.  Davie was right in as much as we arrived there 2 hours after setting off.

This is what it's all about

After lunch Allan and Davie decided to set off on the return journey straight away whilst the rest went to the book shop for a browse and then for a coffee. We are glad to report that Gus bought some books, but let himself down by forgetting to purchase the necessary crayons. Maybe next time!

The view still takes some beating

The walk back along the beach was helped by the fact that the weather had become a bit overcast, but by the time we had all joined up again at the top of the path leading up from the beach, the sun was out again in all its glory.

FRT was taken at the Dunure Inn where we manoeuvred the picnic benches into the shade for our comfort. Our pleasure was only partly disrupted by some wee yappie dugs who, to give them the benefit of the doubt, were suffering in the heat. They should have taken a lead from Holly, who lay and rested in the shade after her exercise and never made a sound.

Another good day out!

Some pictures from Maidens to Dunure Walk

Johnny contemplates his sandwiches at our coffee stop on the terrace at Culzean Castle



This is the section of beach to the north of Culzean castle along which we walked toward the sunshine.

The group was well spread out on the high ground between Croy and Dunure.

Andy strides out over the new bridge over Drumshang Burn

OK, so this wasn't taken on yesterday's walk but it was taken this month - on the 10th to be exact.

Alan, Allan, Andy, Davie C, Davie Mc, Gus, Jimmy, Johnny, Peter, Rex, Robert

This walk is part of the Ayrshire Coastal Path and has oft been described before on the blog so suffice it to say that the route from Maidens was along the shore until the path up to Culzean Country Park. Walking through the park past the Swan Pond we quickly reached the castle where coffee was taken. Descending to the beach we continued past Croy until lunch was taken at the rocks adjacent to the ascent up to the cliff face. From here we followed the path until Dunure was reached.

As the pictures show, we were fortunate yet again with the weather and enjoyed the banter in the Anchorage Bar of the Dunure Inn.

For the record, this walk lasted a tad over 3 hours. Last week’s has been calculated at 22km, the best part of 14 miles in old money!

Maidens to Dunure 6 March 2013

Allan, Andy, Davie, Davie, Ian, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul, Robert, Ronnie

When we arrived at the car park at Dunure we were greeted by a snell wind and an overcast sky. Although the sun threatened to break through on a number of occasions, it didn’t, and the order of the day was to keep going for the wind was to be against us as the designated cars arrived at Maidens.

This is a walk that has been documented many times before and is one of our favourites, so the description that follows is minimal.

'All along the watchtower'

Setting off along the beach we made good time and soon we found the ‘staircase’ up towards the cliff walk and it was here that a short coffee stop was called for – and guess what? – it was at our usual place, but today the view was much restricted. Before long, having scoffed the last of Allan’s Christmas sweeties, a box, no less, of Liquorice Allsorts, we made our way into the grounds of Culzean, skirting the swan pond and heading up to the castle itself. We noted work taking place towards the roof and a discussion ensued about how certain parts of the castle’s sandstone and the surrounding buildings were suffering from erosion. We didn’t stop off at the café on this visit for two reasons 1) we weren’t sure if it would be open and 2) Davie had checked the tides and had suggested that we make our way along the beach asap. Remember the adage ‘Beware the tides of March’. We wonder however if Davie had checked them in the mist as the sea was well out as we passed by the gas house and on to the beach.

Lunch was called for at, dare I say it, our usual spot on the rocks and since we were in the shelter it made for a pleasant break. All good things come to an end though and we were soon climbing up the track from the beach to the cliff top and making steady progress alongside the fields which seemed to be drying out nicely for there were only a few mucky parts to be negotiated. When we reached the stepping stones over the burn we were delighted to find that a new bridge had been built making it much easier for Paul and Davie. The next ‘view stop’ was at the watchtower before the last wee sprint to the cars back at Dunure.

FRT was taken in the public bar at the Dunure Inn where there were laughs aplenty.