Cunninghame ramblers. Straiton circular to Black hill of Knockgardner. April 2014

Walk leaders briefing

Looking down on Straiton

On summit of Bennan Hill (283M)

What a wonderful day to take a wee break!!

One of the walkers pointing out

Maybole with Arran in the distance.

We decided this was a hide for deerstalkers.

Local farmer was ploughing away in the sunshine

Somehow I managed to miss out the Kilmarnock Rocket

Todays leader

Yesterday Sunday April 20th I travelled to Straiton to meet Cunninghame Ramblers for an 9 mile hill walk to Knockgardner which lies south west of the village. 17 of us met in the walkers car park and after an early morning chocolate minature easter egg we made our way to the summit of Bennan Hill (283M) on an absolutely glorious sunny morning. From here it was a lot of down and ups on sometimes difficult terrain due to the tussocks to reach Cawin Hill (266M) with its wonderful views of  South Ayrshire. Lunch was taken in a small plantation of deciduous trees which must have been planted when there was an old cottage on the site.Next hill was Black Hill of Knockgardner (301M) which I have to admit is one hill I have never climbed in this area and it proved to be one that I will do again as the views and climb were well worth the effort in the warm sunshine,now we followed the Cawin burn down through the forest and back to the car park in the village. A truly memorable day out with thanks to the leader for not getting us lost in all the wee tracks through the dense forests and any comments about lady leaders not knowing which way to go were totally unfounded .