ADRC Cairn Table Circular near Muirkirk July 2011

Today's walk leader was "The Distiller"

This rambler was looking for the Open Golf!

Good drying day at the top of Cairn Table. (593M)

Coffee break at the cairn.



Stoney Hill peat bogs (562M)



Walkers arrive at Macadams monument.

This lovely tanned walker has just returned from Turkey.

Not sure what was going on here but the pilot looks happy.

Today's merry group including me.

Today 17 walkers met at the village of Muirkirk for a 10 mile circular walk starting with a climb up to the summit of Cairn Table. Regular bloggers will know I recced this walk with the distiller back in June 2011. Today the weather was overcast to start off with but as we climbed in came the rain clouds to give us all a right good soaking until we reached the summit of cairn Table. The rain eased as we had our coffee break before we made our way down to the forest  to ascend Stoneyhill (562M) .Weather was showing signs of improvement so the group opted for the full walk as at this point a short cut could have been taken to reduce the overall distance. We are made of strong stuff in this group so on we trudged through some quite soft wet peaty boggy ground until we reached a forestry road which makes up the route from Wanlockhead to Muirkirk.(A walk I hope to do one day with the Kilmarnock Rocket on a date to be arranged.)Lunch was taken on the track once we had left the forest with all it's midgies, we only had the flies to contend with.The next part of the walk was a 5 mile path back to the start which was wonderful as the sun had broken through the clouds to make it  most enjoyable with excellent views down to the Clyde and surrounding countryside. Once back at the start we had all dried out from the morning soaking to end a very successsful day  which at one point thoughts were "we could  all get drookit again." The distiller was to say the least an unusual walk leader as he did it from the rear and allowed the Right Honourable Secretary ably assisted by Madam Vice to lead from the front.Thanks to all concerned it was a great day out.