Wednesday, 1 November 2023
Arrangements for 8th November
Hareshaw Hill
Meet at the visitors centre at Glenbuck for a 10am start. The walk will be up through the opencast, over Hareshaw Hill and down to Glenbuck Loch. There will be an opporchancity to do a circuit of the loch before returning to the cars.
Thursday, 26 October 2023
Calendar 2024
I am organising a calendar again this year.
The guys on yesterday's walk have given me their order but if you weren't on the walk and want one, or more than one, please let me know by 31st October. The cost will be determined by how many I order and if I can get a discount.
Allan
Falls of Clyde 25 October
Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Graham, Gus, Hugh, Jimmy, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert
The drive through to Kirkfieldbank promised an overcast day with lots of low mist/cloud but, on arrival, at least it was dry. We were going to do the walk in the more traditional clockwise direction i.e. up to New Lanark and then past the Falls of Clyde and across the dam at the top before returning on the opposite side of the river. The grass path that was flooded the last time we were here was thankfully OK today and rapid progress was made up and down the various hills and steps until we eventually met the tarmac that took us into New Lanark for our coffee stop. The autumn colours had been admired on most enjoyed a relaxing break.
Allan, however, was feeling decidedly ropey, maybe had done the climbing too quickly, and as the rest left to continue the walk, he remained behind with his minders, Johnny and Malcolm. There was thought of them turning back but, as it was probably easier to go on, this is what they did, after Allan had recovered. When the threesome came to the boardwalks they were closed for tree-cutting but the alternative, higher path soon took them back on to the familiar route and the dam was reached at midday.
Whether it was the case that the dam was holding the water back or that this part of the country had not experienced the rainfall that other parts had recently, there was a poor flow over the Falls today, not the spectacular sight we were hoping for. By half=past twelve the three had caught up with the main party at the traditional lunch spot overlooking the Clyde and joined them with their pieces. Not long after resuming, there was an obstacle in front of us, a large fallen tree. Most had to crawl on hands and knees under it with Robert politely refusing to do limbo-dance to the other side. No matter, all negotiated it safely, one way or another, and trekked back to the cars, arriving at about one thirty-five, three and a half hours after having set off and having covered seven miles in decent underfoot conditions.
FRT was taken in the Black Bull in Darvel where an enjoyable hour was spent.









































