Cunninghame Ramblers. Ness Glen and Craigengillan estate. February 2012

Briefing chat at the start.

What a couple of fine fellas. (not including the rambler)

Coffee stop.

Entering Ness Glen

Making our way along the narrow path.

The reflections on Loch Doon.

More reflections

This fort is for use by Scouts and Guides etc.

War memorial overlooking Dalmellington.

Todays group on a bridge over the River Doon.

Our leader.

Today Sunday February 12th I joined the Cunninghame Ramblers on a 7 mile walk through the grounds of Craigengillan Esate near Dalmellington in South Ayrshire.24 of left the library car park on a cloudy dry mild morning in fact a perfect day for this type of walk. Once in the estate we passed lots of different types of trees and mosses which were pointed out to the group by the leader.After stopping beside the river Doon for a coffee break we entered the highlight of this walk,Ness Glen which is a gorge that runs through the estate.It is only about 1 mile long but the sound of the river and the steep sides of the gorge make this a most dramatic walk. Some of our group were not too keen on the path which is quite narrow in places so there were plenty of stops to assist those that needed help to get through.Once clear of Ness Glen we came out at a very still Loch Doon I personally have never seen it like it was today with all reflections in the water of the surrounding hills . The colours even at this time of the year were quite remarkable and the snow capped hills for a background made it just stunning. Once we managed to pull the group away from this area we took the high path above Ness Glen back into the estate where we had lunch with a view stretching over to the hills behind Dalmellington and beyond. We then passed above Bellsbank back into the village by way of a new path provided by the council to keep walkers off the roads.Excellent walk today with a big thanks to our leader and his back marker who had reccied this new route last month it was very much appreciated by all who were present today.