ADRC Ness Glen and Craigengillan Estate. May2012

Preparing for the start.

Now in Ness Glen .

There was a good flow of water today.

Elevenses at the newly opened tearoom.

Ladies enjoying the break.

Loch Doon with the Rhinns of Kells in the background.

Fort Carrick

The dark sky observatory under construction.

Passing the estate's gas house.

Recently renovated cottage with a thatched roof.

From a different angle.

Stonemason had a sense of humour.

Walkers admiring the Dalcairney Falls.

One of the older members being helped over the stanedyke.

The burns proved to be no problem today.

Would WC Fields approve of this I wonder?

Today's group.

Our leader.

Today Saturday 19th May Ayr and District Ramblers met at the Gaw Glen near Loch Doon to walk up Ness Glen and round part of Craigengillan Estate.As a lot of our members are away at present to Ulapool for a weeks walking it was  very commendable 19 ramblers who turned up today. Our leader was a retired polisman who had a wealth of knowledge of the local area.On a clear cool morning we first of all went up Ness Glen to the dam at Loch Doon where we had a our first stop at the newly opened tearoom. The proprietor had a telescope mounted on his counter to enable him to view what he is quite sure is an ospreys nest in the distance. 2 males have been seen but as yet no female has been spotted. According to one of our rambling twitchers the breeding of the birds is approximately one month later this year due to the cold weather we and the rest of Europe have been experiencing of late.Passing Fort Carrick which is used for outward bound courses we arrived at the Craigengillan Dark Sky Observatory  which is currently under construction  to be ready for visitors later on this year. Once back in the estate the leader took us past the estate's old gas house and a recently renovated cottage complete with a very well constructed thatch roof. Lunch was taken at an old farm near to the Dalcairney Falls before we followed a track back to the cars to end this 7 mile walk . Thanks to the leader who had done his homework on the area relating lots of history some of it as far back as World War 1. Another great day out and home in plenty of time to see Heart of Midlothian beat Hibs 5-1.