South Ayrshire ramblers. Dunure to Carrick Hills. September 2011

All ready for the off from Dunure harbour.

We start along the shore.

Some parts were very rocky.

Now up onto the grass with coastal views.

Lunch stop on the top of Brown Carrick Hill (287M)

This is a deadly fungi!



Houses here have wonderful sea views over to Arran.



Today's group.

Walk leader (sorry about the focus)

Today I met up with South Ayrshire Ramblers on their 8 mile grade "B" circular walk from the lovely fishing village of Dunure to the Brown Carrick Hills. 20 of us set off along the shore using the Clyde Coastal Path trying to step on the dry rocks and avoid the seaweed. The sun was beginning to shine before we started to climb up from the shore onto the old railway line that used to run from Ayr to Turnberry. The next section was easier to walk underfoot until we reached the Heads of Ayr caravan park .  Here we crossed over the main road to take us onto a country road that leads up to the summit of Brown Carrick. It is a reasonably stiff climb so it was taken at a fairly leisurely pace to take us up to the aerials which are used to guide the planes over the North Atlantic.Lunch was taken in the shelter of the hill as there was a stiff breeze blowing in from the South.We then followed a track through a forest to reach the path that takes you to Maybole from Dunure. Passing  several fields of cattle one of the group's newer members who is a retired farmer just raised her voice a little and the cattle moved away to the other side of the road to let us safely through. If you heard her shouts you would move out of the way as well!Walking into Dunure we pass several large houses here which are built on the side of a hill to allow them the full view of the coastline. Large decks are built on  top of a few of the houses and one can imagine a nice summers evening watching the sunset over Arran with a wee G&T in one hand and cooking the steak on the barbie with the other. How the other half must live.Arriving back at the start we all agreed it was a great walk in weather which was ideal for rambling . Passing showers were spotted out to sea but did not threaten us at all.Many thanks to the leader for allowing me to join  her today I really enjoyed the walk and meeting up with some old friends again including the "Jolly Green Giant!"