ADRC to Rig of Loch Enoch and Buchan Hill June 2011



Our start point was just passed the Merrick Hill route.



Double click to see my friendly toad.

Loch Valley

Loch Neldricken



Loch Enoch



The midgies were everywhere when we stopped.

Today's foolhardy group on the summit of Buchan Hill (493M)

Me at the Buchan Burn waterfall.

Galloway's own Niagra Falls.

Fine example of Butterwort (A carnvivorous plant)

Today ADRC were going to Beinn Narnairn near Arrochar for an "A" walk up this Munro.When we all met in Ayr it was decided that due the inclement weather conditions that it would be more advantageous to head South and hopefully find some sunshine. Today there was also a "C" grade walk so the masses went for the easier option and 4 of us headed off to the Galloways to do Rig of Loch Enoch and the Buchan Ridge with my old pal The Right Honourable Secretary as walk leader. On arriving at Bruce's Stone car park the weather was not too bad overhead so on with the gear and off we went first of all over the Buchan Burn which was in full spate after so much rain in the last two days.The climb up the Gairland Burn was extremely wet underfoot but we all thought once we gained some height things woud become easier. How wrong can one be I ask myself! Passing  Loch Valley we paddled sorry walked to the next loch called Loch Neldricken which was very tranquil in the windless day so at this point the midgies decided to annoy and bite the walkers stupid enough to walk in these conditions.Next loch was Loch Arron and our walk leader told us it was spelt the same way as the Island we all know. Wonder what school he attended ? At Loch Enoch we stopped for lunch and the midgies descended so we then hurriedly put our sandwiches away and climbed up on the the ridge to see if we could get some Buchan breeze to blow the wee blighters away. Eventually we did find a spot with a light breeze so we tried again. Breeze disappeared so we gave this idea up and ate our lunch as we walked.Now we were on the Rig of Loch Enoch and we could look down on the lochs we had passed earlier on one side and the peaks of the Merrick on the other.Once on the top of Buchan Hill the serious rain came on and chased the midgies away and drowned us, well you cannot have it all ways.A serious descent took us  to the waterfalls at the Buchan Burn and we all agreed they were  spectacular and gave off a wonderful spray. We were soaked anyway so nobody was caring about getting a wee bit wetter. Back to the cars and lots of stripping off to put on some dry clothes. Only the dafties go out on a day like today, we all had a great time but it will take days to dry the boots out.

Cycle run from Ayr to Largs. June 2011

Lots of wildfowl here.

This guy decided to give Royal Ascot a miss this year.

This is only 800 yds from a council tip!



Today I am cycling.



The hydro also hosts some famous football teams.

I found a tree lined avenue!

Hunterston Castle. (circa 1500)

Another view of same.

Largs marina home to thousands of yachts.



The Pencil Monument at Largs.

Today I set off on the trusty bike to cycle to Largs  (36 miles) It is a sunny breezy day perfect for cycling. As I blogged Ayr to Irvine last week with all the golf courses I will start this blog from Irvine.The route takes you up part of the river Garnock and the authorities have created a wetland here so there were plenty of ducks and wildfowl to be seen. By- passing Kilwinning is not a bad thing to do as I have a bright orange bike and some of the locals may not be too keen on it. A nice tarmac track took me to Stevenston which is the start of what is known locally as the "Three Towns" Stevenston Saltcoats and Ardrossan which I blogged as a walk in February 2011 with South Ayrshire Ramblers. So again no need to repeat any of it.Once I left the towns the next port of call is Seamill with its splendid Hydro which lots of football teams use particularly prior to a major game so that the management can keep an eye on the players and stop them from getting up to any mischief. West Kilbride is next and was the subject of the blog prior to this one . Passing the Crosbie Hills which we climbed on Tuesday I made my way to Hunterston Castle  which is set in lovely grounds and cyclists are allowed along the many paths, lots of trees here shield you from that awful power station which I believe is to be decommisioned in 2016. The path now passes by Largs Marina with its fabulous yachts berthed there obviously the recession does not affect everyone in the same way. Some of the boats would not look out of place in the South of France. On entering Largs from the South and only accessable on foot or by bike is the famous Pencil Monument built in 1912 to commemerate the Battle of Largs which was in 1263. The Norwegians were defeated in this particular battle and Largs today still has lots of Viking connections. As I arrived in the centre of the town I thought of taking the ferry over to Millport and finish off the day going round the island. At this point the heavens opened quite unexpectedly with hail and rain. Decision taken and I headed straight to the railway station and back to Ayr after a great days pedaling.

Cunninghame Ramblers to Crosbie Hills by West Kilbride June 2011

An aptly named restaurant located in the station

Today's first obstacle.

Walkers stop whilst the route is confirmed by walk leader.

Coffee break at Little Caldron.

Looking down on Hunterston "B" power station.

Millport Bay.

Some wonderful views of the Clyde today.

Walkers pass Fairlie Castle (circa 1581)

Railway tunnel to Largs.(instead of a tree lined avenue)

Todays rambling group

Today I joined the Cunninghame Ramblers for a mid week walk from West Kilbride to the Crosbie Hills which are situated above the town.22 walkers started off from the railway station on a 9 mile "B" grade linear walk to finish up at the village of Fairlie where we would get the train back to West Kilbride.Firstly we passed through Crosbie caravan park and up onto a track which would take us past Glendane Hill (272M) . Here we met the local farmer who inquired where our route was taking us. After our walk leader assured him we were going to be using the quad bike tracks only he was satisfied we would not upset the ground nesting red grouse which is a source of income for him come the shooting season.Once out onto the hills we stopped at Little Caldron hill for refrershments before going up to the top of Caldron Hill (329M). The weather today was sunny and windy which made the views from the summit quite spectacular.  Arran was especially beautiful bathed in the sunshine with lots of ferry and boat traffic between us and the island.From here we dropped down and crossed the Fairlie to Dalry moor road . Now we climbed a little to the summit of Black Hill (220M) where we could see an aerial view of Hunterston Nuclear power station and the neighbouring coal terminal which featured on the TV a lot during the miners strike of the eighties.Now we reached Diamond Hill where lunch was taken and  also the sweeties were passed round supplied today by our walk leader.After the break we descended through Fairlie Glen passing the uninhabited castle till we reached the railway station where we were to get our train back to the start.This was an excellent walk today in the summer sunshine and again our thanks to the walk leader for all her efforts in working out our route to avoid nesting birds and her ability to handle a farmer who could have been a wee bit awkward towards 22 walkers on his land.Thanks also to the group for allowing me to join them today and look forward to seeing lots of you again next Sunday for the walk near Ballantrae which I have done  before and would highly recommend.

ADRC walk to Scaw'd Law near Durisdeer June 2011

I wonder where she has been?

Stiff climb up Durisdeer Hill (569M)

A curlew fledgling.

Lunch at the top of Scaw'd Law (663M)

Not in the same league as yesterday's bridge.

Me at the summit of Ballencleuch Law(689M)

Looking down on Dear Resevoir.

Walkers at the summit of Rodger Law (688M)

Golden Plover

Red Grouse



Short Eared Owl

For today's walk I was out with ADRC on an A graded climb in the hills near to the village of Durisdeer. Our leader today was the group's resident rambling twitcher so we all knew we were in for an ornithology treat and we were not  disappointed. Firstly today's 12 walkers  crossed the Cleuch Burn by way of a track which we followed for 2 miles until we came to an unnamed bothy we have previously visited on our walk with the Right Honourable Secretary (yes you got him the one with the grapes) except this time we approched from the opposite direction. After  a wee coffee break our first climb was to the top of Durisdeer hill (569M) which was quite challenging but got us all up to a good height fairly quickly. Some quicker than others but I won't go down that road! 2 short eared owls were spotted as they flew off from behind a wall again identified correctly by the walk leader.From here a small descent and then on to today's goal of Scaw'd law (663M) where we had an early lunch behind a stane dyke as the wind had got up and was blowing quite hard. Rain was promised today but up until now there was no sign of it as we looked South to The Lake District and North to the Island of Arran.After our refreshments we headed off to Ballecleuch Law (689M) and on our way came across a curlew fledgling on the ground beside the track. By the alarm calls coming from the parents overhead this bird was bettter off left alone. On our way to the summit we were very lucky to spot a Golden Plover giving out his shrill call and was the twitching highlight of the walk for me. Our next hill was Rodger Law(688M) which meant a slight descent of 200metres before we climbed to the summit. From here we had a wonderful view down to Daer Resevoir and over to the golf ball aerial on neighbouring Lowther Hill.The underfoot conditions up till now had been relatively dry but all that was to change as we descended to the track to take us to our final hill today which was Comb Hill (645M). There was lots of peat bogs to dodge and boggy ground. Still we all made it safely and enjoyed a wee break at the top to admire the wonderful views. On our way down to the finish we encountered more boggy ground where lots of moles had made their home as we trudged through it was fun to watch them darting into their nests. Red Grouse were also spotted at this time which was a super ending to a 9 mile walk taken in the dry weather but looking at the sky the promised rain was not far away. My sincere thanks to the walk leader without whom we would not have spotted half of the birds he identified for us it was a real pleasure to be out in that kind of habitat with a very knowledgable twitcher and we all look forward to his other walks scheduled in the summer programme.

South Ayrshire Ramblers to Craigmawhannal by Loch Doon June 2011

Today's walk start.

Original site of Loch Doon Castle.

Today it stands clear of the water.

Lots of forest tracks on todays walk.

Rhinns of Kells.

Bridge was built circa 2002 (see text)

19 ramblers testing the weight limit!

This was one of todays obstacles.

Guess the name of the gnome.

Lunch by the river.

Large areas of the forest have been felled recently.

One of todays lovely streams.

On a clear sunny day I decided to join South Ayrshire Ramblers on a gentle 7 mile circular walk at Loch Doon encompassing a wee climb up the oddly name hill known as Craigmawhannal(357M) .Our intrepid walk leader was Madam Vice of ADRC fame with whom we are all familiar with she is  normally associated with A grade walks but today has kindly lent her services to lead a C+ graded stroll.Starting off near to Loch Doon Castle circa 1306 we learn that it was originally built on a piece of land which today is an island in the loch.. In 1936 the authorities raised the water level so the castle was moved stone by stone to its present position some 300 yards away.The first part of the walk was along some forest tracks till we got to the base of Craigmawhannal and here we left the comfort of the road onto some tussicky boggy ground which took us to the summit. Coffee break was enjoyed here looking out at the Rhinns of Kells, The Awful Hand range and also the Merrick was visible today.Down we went to the little bridge which was to take us across the Elgin Lane burn. One of todays walkers told us when he worked for the local forestry commission he and a colleague were responsible for the construction of the bridge in 2002.Not every day you walk with the  bridge builder so the walkers all stood on it together and I am pleased to report it supported us all with no deflection being detected in the girders.Maybe they had drunk their "Irn Bru" that day.From here we went through a wooded area that had been damaged in recent storms which meant we had to negotiate some fallen trees.Once the women all managed to get their leg over safely we stopped for lunch at Whitespout Lane burn for a very enjoyable rest in the sunshine.The last part of the walk was back onto forest roads and back down to the cars at the lochside which was quite busy now with people practising their skills at sailing in the water.A most enjoyable walk taken in pleasant sunshine and with no rain at all it was a very welcome change to some of the recent walks we have all done.Thanks must go to Madam Vice for her leadership today her knowledge of the area and  navigation skills were very much appreciated by everyone .