Scottish weather. April 28th 2015

This is a photo of  my back garden with sleet falling at the end of April.1 week ago today I was walking in the Arrochar Alps in my shorts and  tee shirt.Lets hope summer remembers to return.

Cunninghame ramblers bus trip to Dunkeld. May 2015

First of all apologies for no captions on the above photos as I was unable to attend the outing due to Gastroenteritis food poisoning to you and me.I have ben asked to prepare a blog of the outing and my thanks to all members who contributed to make this possible especially the deerstalkers for her written contribution.



On Saturday, 25th April, 46 ramblers made their way by coach to Dunkeld for the Cunninghame annual outing. Contrary to the forecast, the weather was set fair for the day when we arrived. We split into two groups, the C+ group made its way through the Atholl Forest paths to see the Ospreys at the Loch of the Lowes. Our knowledgeable twitcher was able to point out the local birds and other wildlife. Time was available to explore Dunkeld and its many attractions before making our way along the pleasant River Tay path where Miss Piggy was pleased to view the sewage works.

The B+ group kept a very fast pace to complete the 15 mile circuit of Deuchary Hill, Loch Ordie and Mill Dam paths in just over six hours, enjoying the beautiful views of Perthshire from the top of the hill.

The day was rounded off by drinks in the Royal Dunkeld Hotel followed by an excellent high tea before the travellers made their way home.

All thanks go to Andy, Fiona, Mike and Isabel for leading the walks on a very enjoyable day out.

From the Deerstalker - as your usual blogger is on sick leave this week. We missed you, Gordon.

Cunninghame ramblers. Glen Loin loop near Arrochar. April 2015

See text!!

Arrochar with Ben Lomond in the background.

Tea break in the sunshine.

Still lots of snow high up on the mountains.

One of many waterfalls.

Small stretch of roadwalking was done.

Smiling together in the fine weather.

This is what really makes the day worthwhile.

Hopefully this members car will be washed prior to going out again with Cunninghame ramblers, standards must be maintained.

Todays large group.

 Yesterday Cumnninghame ramblers travelled to Arrochar to walk what is known as the Glen Loin loup.Before we arrived at the start the car I was traveling in ably driven by the groups transport co-ordinator was stopped for speeding by the police in the village of Tarbet. I was sitting in the rear seat as the officer approached our vehicle, I wanted to shout  "Oot the caur Stirling" but I refrained from making any comment as our driver excelled himself and got off with a caution.(43MPH) After this little bit of drama we arrived at the start on the most wonderful warm sunny morning with lots of snow still clearly visible on the tops of the Arrochar Alps. 22 walkers made their way up a steep path to the forestry track to take us to Glen Loin and its spectacular mountains.Lots of water and sweetie stops were made in the unseasonably warm day before lunching at the base of Ben Vane. The last part of the 11 mile walk goes down through the glen with views out to Loch Long it was not long before we arrived back at the cars and to round off a perfect day the majority of the group made their way to the pub for a well earned pint. Thanks to the two "D's" who were doing a combined leadership for the walk it was a job well done girls.

The two "D's" were todays leaders.

ADRC Seamill to Largs linear.April 2015

Walkers stop to admire the wonderful scenery.

Looking out to Millport.

Wee Cumbrae with beacon on top.

We assumed that a pint of beer was not on offer!!

Walker trying to find out the winner of todays National.

She only came this way to give me a photo of a tree lined avenue.

A lovely spot for our lunch break.

Memorial to Fairlies  boat builder.

Just glad to get a wee seat.

The farmer was our leader.

Yesterday ADRC met at Seamill for an 8 mile linear walk to Largs Marina. 28 of us left the village in warm glorious sunshine along the shore towards Portencross Castle and the cliffs known locally as the three sisters standing high looking out to the wee and big Cumbrae islands.On this route you pass right past the perimeter fence guarding the sinister looking Hunterston Nuclear Power Station with all its buildings emitting a strange humming noise.Once we arrived in the quaint village of Fairlie a leisurely lunch was taken basking in the unseasonally warm sunshine before our last 2 mile stretch that took the group to Largs boating marina with its fine array of large yachts.Here the walkers were given an option to either go for the bus back to Fairlie or alternatively carry on to the town for coffee or more importantly beer at the newly opened branch of Wetherspoons. No guessing which group I was in. HA HA.Thanks to the farmer for organising a great walk in what was the most perfect weather to see this beautiful part of the west coast of Scotland.

Cunninghame ramblers. Day trip to Arran. April 2015

Our ferry to Arran

Leader attempting to sort out B and C walking groups.

This house is being constructed high above Whiting Bay

First break.

Unnamed falls.

Glenashdale Falls

Lovely view of Whiting Bay and the Holy Isle.

Walkers at the Giants Graves

Refreshments in the Douglas Hotel

One very large group.

Our leader and organiser.

Yesterday Cunninghame ramblers went to the lovely Island of Arran for the first of two visits on this summers programme. A very large party of 39 walkers met at Whiting Bay after a rather busy bus journey from Brodick where we all got on including some other visitors and some locals. Overcrowded and grossly overloaded would be one description but at least we all got there safely. Today we were split into two groups one to Glenashdale Falls and the second lot to a waterfall high up on the forestry track between Whiting Bay and Kildonan.I went with the second group we were route marched up the road at quite a pace as time was not on our side whilst the others were able to enjoy a more leisurely speed . We passed the road to Glenashdale but we were on a mission to find a new waterfall that was unnamed on the OS map but our leader with all his navigational skills would locate it. After a good climb we eventually arrived at the falls which were in full flow after our recent rain falls in the west of Scotland. From here we retraced our steps stopping only briefly at Glenashdale falls and Giants Graves before a steep descent down to catch the 3.00PM bus back to Brodick for a wee refreshment in the Douglas hotel waiting on the ferry to take us back to Ardrossan. A very good fun day out with a very large group and thanks to the leader who had the unenviable task trying to organise the walkers into the different groups.

Cunninghame ramblers.Darvel to Loudoun Hill circular. April 2015

Ruined building at Loudoun Hill

We had one steep descent today.

A teacher on a mission.

Loudoun Hill (310m)

There are always some awkward fences to cross.

Now we are on the "Lang Whang"

Todays group

Johnnie Backpack was our leader.

Yesterday Cunninghame ramblers set from Darvel in East Ayrshire to walk a circular route to Loudoun Hill. 18 walkers set off on the old railway line with myself catching them up after a couple of miles as my bus was delayed due to a road traffic accident just outside Galston.It was a cold windy morning as we arrived at the base of Loudoun Hill where several walkers decided to walk round the base as the ground would be very slippy on the hill. Lunch was taken at the William Wallace monument before going up Cairnsaigh Hill (288m) one of the local hills none of us had ever climbed before. Excellent views from the top as we stood on a very blustery hilltop before descending onto the track known locally as the Lang Whang to take us back to Darvel. Very enjoyable day with only a couple of hail showers that soon passed to allow the group to enjoy a new wee twist to a well known trail.