ADRC Auchinleck Estate. July 2012

Leaders walk briefing.

Crossing the Lugar Water.

Passing through some nosey cows!

Some of us had to breathe in to get through this gate.

Tree lined avenue into Auchinleck Estate.

Entering the estate.

This Ayrshire bull was not a happy chappie.

The sun eventually came out.

So did the midges.

Lots of fences to be crossed today.

Remains of the original Auchinleck House. (circa 1612)

A wee round house carved into the rock.

Today's group.

On the steps of the house.

Wee wuman frae Dalrymple,the pilot and the farmer were today's excellent leaders.(Well done )

Ayr and District Ramblers met at the gates of Auchinleck House on a drizzly dreich morning to do a 7 mile walk around the grounds of this estate located in East Ayrshire.23 of us set off over the River Lugar and along some very muddy wet tracks until we came to a little bridge with the most amazing drop into a gorge on the River Dipple. Next was a hairy path to Wallace's cave  that had to be walked very carefully as there were huge drops on one side into a gorge.The cave had some magnificent carvings on the roof and our leader was able to give us a brief history of this area.Lunch was taken in the sunshine between the intermittent showers before moving onto the big house which has been converted into holiday apartments.A lovely stroll down the tree lined avenue took us back to the cars parked beside Ochiltree Bowling Green.
 In the absence of an office bearer I felt it right to propose a big vote of thanks to the farmer who was leading her first ever walk for this group. She had researched the history of the estate and also recced the walk three times to make sure she got it right . Well done again and also your two back markers for giving us a most enjoyable day.