More Images from the Bute Walk 29th May

Bute 29 May

Allan, Davie C, Gus, Hugh, Iain, Ian, Malcolm, Rex, Robert

We travelled through heavy rain but when we arrived at Wemyss Bay it was dry, and since the forecast was for no rain on Bute until 3pm, we took the 10am ferry to Rothesay. En route, Davie had a plan, and it was a cunning plan. And not only did he have a plan, he had a map. Rather than do the scheduled walk i.e. Stage 1 of the West Island Way down at Kilchattan, he suggested taking in part of Stage 2 by starting at Rothesay, going up to Port Bannatyne, and then over to Ettrick Bay.

A vote was taken, and Robert declared that the Leavers (Stage 2) had beat the Remainers, although he was a bit vague as to the actual numbers and would not hear of a recount or another referendum. Anyway, by doing this walk we would start walking right away without the need to make a bus journey. Ironies of Ironies was that the Kilchattan bus was there waiting for us as we left the terminal and headed up to the left of the castle expecting to see a sign for the WIW. Although Davie’s map was comprehensive, its scale was not sufficient to discern the streets in Rothesay and how to get to where we wanted to be. So, we continued up past the Police Station and to the recreation ground, where we stopped to allow Davie to go in and ask the staff at the Leisure Centre reception for directions. We had a choice, either retrace our steps towards Rothesay and veer left, or continue on our current direction to Loch Fad and catch the WIW there. Now, the Ooters don’t like retracing their steps, or even admitting they’re lost, so we continued up past the hospital and the school before following a sign down a track to Loch Fad.
Once there, we were on relatively familiar territory as we had been there a number of years before and, as we crossed the loch at the dam and continued up the track, we found a marker to confirm we were indeed on the WIW. From here the route was well signposted, although you had to keep an eagle eye out for the signs, and by midday we were where we wanted to be in the first place i.e. Westland Road. (This detour had taken an hour and a quarter and probably added two and a half to three miles on to what we were going to do.)
The last time we reached this road it was at the end of our walk and we turned right down into Rothesay, but today, we turned left, and followed it up past the recycling centre and stayed on it until Robert spotted a sign indicating a right turn on to a grass track, This part of the walk proved to be very pleasant in the relatively warm temperature, and we followed the signs overland and past recently felled forests until we made a steepish descent down towards Port Bannatyne. We continued on the path, still following the signs, towards Kames beach and emerged on to the A844. A sign said turn left and it was 2 miles to Ettrick Bay, but it was one o’clock and we were in need of our lunch, especially those who hadn’t bought a coffee and a bun on the boat. Also, we took into account that if we had gone to Ettrick Bay, had lunch, and then walked back, we were risking a fairly long walk in the impending rain, It was a no-brainer, therefore, to turn right and walk down to the seats at the beach. Ettrick Bay could wait for another day.

A leisurely lunch was taken overlooking Kames Bay and the Cowal Peninsula and it was a thought to move on. Before we did though, Malcolm, fresh back from Crete, produced a bottle of Raki, distilled by the owner of the hotel he was in and reckoned to be amongst the best in the island, for us to try. Thoughtfully he had also brought a supply of shot glasses, so we sampled the spirit and were generally pleasantly surprised. We look forward to next week’s offering, Malcolm!
Gathering ourselves together we noticed down below us a bird’s nest complete with three eggs. We hazarded a guess that it was an oyster catcher’s nest but await verification from those amongst us who know about these things, Jimmy!

By this time the first slight signs of moisture in the air were present so we took the quickest route back to the ferry terminal which was to follow the coastal road, passing, as we did, a wee memorial to the young girl, who had been murdered last year, and the house she had been staying in. Very sad!
We made the terminal in good time for the 2.30pm ferry, just as the moisture was turning into a slight drizzle. All in all, though, we had got the best of the day weather-wise, had been on the go for just over three and a half hours, and had covered nine and a half miles.
Jings and crivvens! The Railway Bar at Wemyss Bay was busy when we got there and we couldn’t get seated, so we motored down to Largs and Drouthy Neebors for FRT. Rex was presented with a bottle of bubbly and a card to celebrate fifty years of marriage and he gratefully accepted thanking all the Ooters on behalf of himself and Barbara.
Despite our slightly inauspicious start, the day had turned out well, and as was said earlier, Ettrick Bay awaits another day.

Arrangements for Wed 5th June.

Meet at 10.00a.m.at Kirkfieldbank,beside the Clyde. The walk will be the usual circular route taking in New Lanark and perhaps the peregrine nest site.

Bute 29 May

The weather forecast is OK for the period of time we will be at Kilchattan, so the Bute trip is on.

Catrine, Auchinleck House, Ochiltree, Dumfries House, Catrine 22 May

Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Iain, Ian, Jimmy, Johnny, Peter

The weather was dry and bright, but the temperature was on the cool side, as we set off from Catrine following the River Ayr Walk up to the Howford Bridge. Peter took us down to the old bridge saying that we couldn’t get through the grounds of Catrine House any longer, but this was no hardship as we turned left and headed up to the road on our right which would take us to Auchinleck House. Holly, as is her wont, was well in front, so Davie followed her as Peter took the rest of us towards the gorge walk (Dippol Burn). (On this occasion we didn’t make our customary visit to the cave house as Peter said it was too muddy down there.) Next, we took the path heading for the rear of the big house and deviated down to see the remains of the much older house (fifteenth century) but didn’t go to the old castle as time was pushing on.

We found Davie having a cuppa outside Boswell’s Coach House, but he didn’t take much persuasion to join us inside for a coffee and scone (or cake, as the scones soon ran out). The boss man, Jamie, was very welcoming, and seemed intrigued by Johnny’s hat, enquiring as to where he could get one, before producing a magazine with adverts for some exotic hats/helmets. We thought of ordering one for Robert but as the kitty was picking up the tabs for the coffees, it was decided that it couldn’t stretch that far.

It was well after midday that we got ourselves into gear again, having a quick look at the house before starting down the long estate road. Before we hit the main Barony Road, we took a right, down a track which led us, with little difficulty, to the bridge over the Lugar at Ochiltree. Well done to Jimmy for checking out this track last week!

From here it was on to the well-known path to Dumfries House (mind you the last time we did this in the opposite direction it appeared to be not so well-known!). Emerging on to the bing, there were calls for a lunch stop, but we pressed on and made our howff in the arboretum at bang-on two o’clock.

Auchinleck or Dumfries was the question regarding where to next. We decided not to have a look at Dumfries House itself and head for Auchinleck, as it was closer, so most of us made our way up the long straight path through the gate at the Temple and continued up to Barony Road. Peter and Johnny had taken the road up past the farm and the outdoor centre and emerged a few minutes after us. We arrived at the bus stop at quarter to three, just in time for a bus back to Catrine. We did notice, however, the black and gold flags adorning many of the buildings in Auchinleck, ahead of Talbot’s Junior Cup Final appearance on 2^nd  June. We also need to mention Largs Thistle, who also play in black and gold, and who will be Talbot’s opponents.

Ten and a half miles in four and three-quarter hours (including leisurely stops) were today’s numbers.

FRT was taken in the Black Bull in Mauchline where snacks were once again provided. Thanks again to our favourite barmaid!

Walking conditions had been excellent leading to a grand day out!

Footnote

In 2012 Paul provided a translation of the inscription above Auchinleck House:

Whatever you seek is here in this remote place, if only you have a good firm mind.



The spirit of the Ooters

Jimmy gives us a history lesson at the old house

Davie gets adventurous in his old age!

Davie Mc was away looking for Holly!