ADRC Ramble at Glenmount by Loch Doon. 12 February 2011



27 Walkers ready for today's ramble.

1st coffee stop.

Loch Braden is in the background.



What is this?




We decided on a pumping station




Lunch at Little Shalloch



A former settlement.

Another of Ayrshires tree lined avenues.

"Vandalism"

Before vandalism

Bridge over the Doon at the start of Ness Glen.

Ness Glen

The river was in spate.

Loch Doon once mist cleared.

Loch Doon visitors centre.

Saturday Februauary 12 saw 27 ramblers from ARDC leave the car park at a misty and beautiful Loch Doon to make our way up to the Big Hill of Glenmount. The first part of the walk was up a muddy trail to the top of Rowantree Craig where our first coffee break was taken. Unfortunately the mist came down and after lots of discussion, looking at maps and the usual culprits with their GPS's we set off again. It is definately a lot easier to navigate when you can see your goal however the walk leader had so many assistants we were soon on the top of the Mount albeit not in a straight line!Now the mist was clearing a bit and we were rewarded with our first views of the Galloway Hills. From here we set of on a North Westerly direction to the Wee Hill of Glenmount and again lots of discussion developed to ascertain we were on the right summit as no trig point was present on this one.Again the walk leader had the final say and we went for what she was sure was the highest point. Then we came across a strange wee building out on the moor and we decided it was either a mine shaft or a pumping station from long ago and finally we  settled on the latter.Lunch was taken at a ruined cottage by the name of "Little Shalloch" where our resident rambling twitcher pointed out to the group a "crossbill" which was in a tree above us. This is one of the earlier breeders so perhaps we disturbed him at a crucial point in his life.Onto a good solid track now we made our way down to Craigengillan Estate where we would enter into Ness Glen providing the water level was not too high we would be able to safely negotiate a passage through. After passing some old settlements and a field of horses looking for carrots from the passing walkers we came to a bridge over the River Doon erected by the landowner to allow walkers a route into Ness Glen. At the start of the Glen was an area again erected by the estate with some wooden structures and a childrens play area however one of the buildings had been torched by some arsonist which is a great shame after all the hard work that has been put into this project. Now we were right into Ness Glen and the path was a wee bit slippy in places and the noise of the river gushing by  made it quite spectacular and I would highly recommend a walk here if you have never walked here before. At the end of the glen is Loch Doon dam which helps to control the flow of water down the river. Once clear of the dam we arrived back at the start to a sunny mist free loch which was wonderfully  clear to end an excellent walk with the usual good company .

Crossbill.