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| What a lovely day for a walk. |
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| Styles were provided today. |
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| Honest I am going to make it!! |
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| Concentration as he eats a melted chocolate bar. |
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| Today's group |
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| with me as leader. |
Her is the press walk report. Thanks JD.
Saturday 6th July 2013
Sixteen ramblers met at Maybole swimming pool car park in
South Ayrshire for a 9 mile circular walk.
It was a lovely sunny breezy morning as the group left the
car park beside the local golf course and made their way south along a quiet
country road. A minor road was now accessed where a gradual incline led them to
Kildoon Hill. Rucksacks were temporarily discarded to climb to the summit. Here
stood an impressive monument to Sir Charles Fergusson of Kilkerran, a local
landowner who died in 1849. This was also the site of a prehistoric fort and
the monument stands within its ramparts. Some time was spent here admiring views
while the walk leader identified local hills and landmarks.
Back at the road, rucksacks were again donned and the group
now proceeded downhill to cross the Altewan Burn near High Burncrooks. A wooden
stile now led to a tarmac road where a short stretch east brought them to Lower
Burncrooks. Today’s walk was billed as a “Howling dogs and murder”. The kennels
at Lower Burncrooks were the ‘Howling’ dogs who were very excited to see such a
large group of people.
Now the route turned south leading to Sunny Brae and the serene Ghaist
Glen, belying its name. The public road ended at Lochspouts, once the
water
source for the local community and the thriving lace business sadly long
since
gone.
Lunch was enjoyed in a disused quarry where lots of stones provided
excellent seating.
At this point the
leader warned everyone to be careful of the hot sun; with the breeze blowing
there was strong chance of getting sunburnt in the strong rays.
After lunch they continue straight ahead past Craigdow
road-end onto a grass track where the Green Well spring kept the ground
somewhat boggy . The path soon improved and shortly they reached a cairn with a
plaque attached, the 'Murder' part of the walk. The Drummochreen cairn is a reminder of Carrick’s bloody past
when clan feuding was commonplace. The plaque states that Andrew MacAlexander
of Drummochreen, was attacked and murdered by Hew Kennedy of Girvanmains in
September 1599.
Reaching High Newlands, a change of direction to the east
took the walkers up Glenshalloch Hill. Now in open moorland they walked along a
ridge of summits with views either side. Kilkerran House, the ancestral home of
Clan Fergusson could be seen to the south while more distant views included
Shalloch on Minnoch in the Galloway hills.
Wild orchids and other moorland plants flourished as they
first passed Carscallan Cairn on one summit before reaching the trig point on
Craigfin Hill. A short break was again taken to admire the views and for the
distribution of sweeties.
Still generally heading east the route now dropped from the
top of the hill to reach an old drovers road. This led to Spring Garden Bridge
where the route continued under Kildoon Hill to return to Maybole. Fields of
sheep, cattle and a surprising amount of horses were passed on this last
stretch.
Afternoon tea and scones was enjoyed by the group in the
Dairy Corner tearoom to round off another excellent outing.
The next outing on Saturday the 13th of July is an 11 mile circular walk of open moorland and woods past the Door of Cairnsmore. Meet at 09:30 at the Riverside Car Park in Newton Stewart or at 09:00 at the Breastworks Car Park in Stranraer to share transport. The walk will start at Cairnsmore Car Park (NX 464 632). New members are always welcome but please contact the walk leader on 01671 403351 for further information.
Great day Gordon, thanks very much.
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