Greenock Cut 2 April

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

The weather was bright and sunny as we travelled up from Ayrshire to neighbouring Inverclyde for the Greenock Cut walk, but as we gained some height and neared Cornalees Visitors Centre the sky became overcast and threatening, and, as we readied ourselves, we were dismayed to find that the strong wind had an icy chill to it. This did not deter Davie C who was the only one of us to adorn shorts today. Davie Mc – eat your heart out!

Whilst leaving the car park we were approached by a couple of workers keen to know who we were.

Apparently, as a cost saving measure, the authority is seeking to close the visitors centre, so the workers are trying to gain as much evidence as they can as to the number of people using it to justify its retention. It was also noted that a couple of cables running across the entrance of the car park were part of a vehicle monitoring system.

We wished the guys well as we set off in our more usual anti-clockwise direction and headed up the incline and into the wind. Having gained the highest point in about twenty minutes it was decided to stop in the lea of a small hillock to take coffee. Peter, being Peter, continued on his own and disappeared into the distance.

Coffee over, we soon caught up with Peter at the first of the small reservoirs and we were to remain as one for the rest of the day. As we made our way downhill the view over the Firth of Clyde and beyond was obscured by the overhead conditions, but there were bright spots in the distance and the sky gradually lifted.

By the time we were following the cut above Greenock, we were out of the wind and the going became much more comfortable, although the pace remained brisk. The usual landmarks were noted e.g. the prison, hospital, school, and comment was made regarding the past glories of the IBM factory in Spango Valley, now employing a fraction of the original workforce.

Lunch was taken a wee bit further along the cut than normal, in order to get shelter from the wind again, and a pleasant fifteen minutes was spent blethering and eating.

Another forty minutes or so was all it took to get us back to the cars before continuing down to McCabe’s in Largs for FRT.

A guid day oot!

Gogo Burn 19 Feb

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

The forecast was for the weather to clear by late morning so it was with a degree of optimism that we set off from the cars to walk past the Douglas Park Bowling Club and head for the hills above Largs. Although the morning was still a bit dreich, it was mild, and it wasn’t long before the jackets came off as we ascended the first of a series of steps. This is a walk which gains height rapidly and soon we were looking at the final set of steps, 111 the learned one advised us, which would take us on to the open hills beyond. We made the climb at our own individual speeds and immediately made for the close-by viewpoint for a breather. The air was ‘fresher’ here so we didn’t hang around following the track past the cairn and onwards towards our ‘usual’ coffee stop.

Spring has sprung?

Largs on a dreich day

We could see clearly the track back down the other side of the Gogo Burn and it was a question of how far up this side we should go before crossing over. Rolling mist also had to be taken into account as discretion has to be the better part of valour.

Allan, accompanied by Johnny, decided that he had done enough for one day and headed back down retracing his steps, as the others made their way not too far up the glen before crossing over and heading down the other side. Entertainment was provided by Rex who, inspired by the fallers on the half- pipe at the Olympics did a double backward somersault before landing on his posterior. He was heard to say “Oh dear me! What a silly boy I am, slipping on this mud!  And me with my nice clean trousers on!”  - or words to that effect.

A & J take a wrong turning coming off the hill

Now, where have I seen these before?

Allan and Johnny having got back to the cars and changed, then set off to meet the rest coming down, and did so as they reached Largs Academy.

FRT was taken at McCabe’s but, hold your breath, the ooters sat at a different table to their normal one. That was exciting!

Cumbrae 4 December

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

Roadworks had delayed the Kilmarnock contingent meaning that the proposed 9.45 ferry was missed and it was not until 10.25 that we landed on Cumbrae. The forecast for the day was sunny spells with blustery showers and fortunately the showers proved to be few and far between.

No place for coffee today

Jimmy had an athletics meet that night so we targeted the 2.30 homebound ferry and set off on our more usual clockwise route from the slipway making our way up to the Glaidstone in jigtime. It was too cold and blustery up there to have coffee and, therefore, a more sheltered spot was found further down the road. Bearing in mind our time limitations, we were soon on our way again, but before reaching the cathedral we turned right and went up past the school and headed towards the bowling club which is adjacent to the road up to the golf course. Those in front turned right but were quickly corrected by the godfaither who directed us left in order to take the longer coastal route up to Fintry Bay. “I’m no gonnae trek through a glaur hole” was the reason for this unexpected deviation from the norm, but we did stop for lunch at the shelter on the esplanade.

The boys are still seeking their crock of gold

“Can we make the ferry?” was the question posed by the doubters. ”Of course we can”, said those for whom the glass is always half-full.

Not only did we make the ferry but we made the 2 o’clock one after a good step out (i.e. a forced march) along the west side of the island.

Jimmy and Peter headed off home as the remainder took FRT in McCabe’s.

This had turned out to be a much better day than we could have hoped for given the forecast and the time of year.



Blog by Allan
Additional pics below from Jimmy.

Walking up the Ferry Road away from the ferry.



The sun shines on the Arran Hills as seen from the Glaidstone.

Coming down from the Glaidstone. The sun shines after a shower had hit us on the top.

A view over the bay at Millport



Looking towards Argyll from the west side of the island.





















Greenock Cut 28 August

Alan, Allan, Andy, Davie C, Davie Mc, Jimmy, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert, Ronnie

The day was clear and fine with a touch of autumn in the air as we arrived at Cornalees for the walk around the Greenock Cut. The route has been oft described before so suffice it to say that we took the anti-clockwise direction heading up the incline and then down to our usual coffee spot overlooking the Clyde and Greenock.

Coffee stop

The wreck of the MV Captayannis

The Jile

Enjoying the view

What's missing from this scene?

Some debate ensued over the sunken sugar boat,but the truth of the matter is it is the wreck of the MV Captayannis which broke free from its anchor during a storm on the evening of 27 January 1974 whilst it was waiting to deliver its cargo of sugar to the James Watt Dock in Greenock. She collided with the BP tanker, British Light, which suffered no damage but her anchor chains holed the sugar boat allowing water to pour in. Her captain beached her on the sandbank, where the crew were taken off by two small craft, but the vessel eventually rolled over and has lain there ever since. She has never been removed as confusion surrounds the identity of her owners and insurers and no-one accepts responsibility. Most, if not all, of her valuable metals and fittings have been removed by looters. Who said Scotland lacked enterprise!

Moving on we continued round the Cut until lunch was taken again with excellent views of the Firth.

Soon we were back at Cornalees, about three and a bit hours from start to finish, and were on our way to McCabe’s in Largs for FRT.

additional photos by faither

12 December Rowantree Hill, Largs

Andy, Allan, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Ian, Jimmy, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert & Ronnie

            On the twelfth day of the twelfth month of the twelfth year of the century twelve Ooters gathered for their Wednesday walk. What a great introduction to today’s walk this would have made but even as yours truly was composing it, Andy arrived to swell our number to thirteen and destroy what would have been a great introduction. Anyway, we hung around in the frosty sunshine at the Gogo Burn car park in Largs until we were sure that nobody else was arriving then we set off for a walk that was new to most of us, to Rowantree Hill and back.