Wednesday, 20 July 2022

The last Supper Curry ( before Alan starts work again) Wed 17 August

 This curry night was organised to please the members who requested it without a particular birthday to celebrate. So far I have about 16 members committed to take part on this occasion. I will book provisionally for 16 and adjust the numbers nearer the date.

Arrangements for Monday 25th July

Meet at the top end of Kilmaurs at 10am for Chapelton House walk. 

Arrangements for Wednesday 27th July

Meet at Glenbuck at 10am for Hareshaw Hill via the opencast.

Sunday, 17 July 2022

Images of the walk in the Lowther Hills featuring Alan McQ, Davie C, Davie McM, Dougie, Gus and Paul


Welcome to Wanlockhead! Let's see what activities are on offer in Scotland's Highest Village...

mine visit, eating, hiking, steam trains, skiing, mountain biking, gold panning and sheep.

We chose to do the hiking.




At the viewfinder (or 'indicator') on East Mount Lowther.

Marching on towards Lowther Hill and its distinctive radome.

Looking back down to Wanlockhead village. Cairntable can be seen on the left in the far distance.

At the next junction, take a right turn.

Keep right on to the end of the road.

Isla keeking out from her hiding place in a drainage channel.

Here come the Ooters!

After having lunch on Green Lowther, we descended to the reservoir.

Glen Franka Reservoir



Looks like the trains are aff at Leadhills Station

Just need to wait until normal service has resumed.


Walking the line towards Glengonnar Halt

The vital statistics

Wednesday, 13 July 2022

The three Lowthers 13 July 2022

 Alan McQ, Derval Davie, Killie Davie, Dougie, Gus and Paul

O wert thou in the cauld blast

Only the above six hardy souls met at Knockroon where a quick decision was made to do the proposed Lowther Hills walk as the weather promised to be favourable. Consequently just before 10 am we set off from Wanlockhead and headed up past what used to be the old Mountain Lodge, but which is now holiday houses. Grumbles were heard as Derval Davie suggested we do all three Lowthers, taking in East Mount Lowther, (or Auchenlone as it's also known) and by 11 o'clock we were standing on the top admiring the very expansive view as the visibility today proved to be excellent. (East Mount Lowther by the way is a bit of a misnomer as it's the most westerly of the three.)

After a short break at the viewpoint (hard to decipher because it was covered in bird droppings) we retraced our steps and started the slow lung-bursting relentless slog up to Lowther Hill. We were now feeling the effects of a very cold, biting wind and this was to continue until we reached the loch. July the 13th?! It certainly didn't feel like it.

We reached the top of Lowther a bit too early for lunch, so it was decided to carry on to Green Lowther, the highest of the three. "How long does it take to get there?" asked Paul. "Oh about 25 minutes," said Davie and rashly promised to buy pints if it was any longer. Fortunately it only took 23 minutes which was lucky as Davie's wallet was typically empty.

We cooried down out of the wind and had lunch before setting off down the grassy path to the loch or dam, the face of which was covered in thyme and looking beautiful. Before long we were at Leadhills Station where we had a wee break and then proceeded along the old railway line to Glengonnar and eventually back to the cars, roughly about 4 hours after we had set off. FRT was taken at the very pleasant Wanlockhead Inn where an enjoyable hour was spent.