Scoops Reports 2011 - 28 May 2011 Girvan – Byne Hill Circular

Wigtownshire Ramblers 28 May 2011 Girvan – Byne Hill Circular

(negotiating a barbed wire fence on the way, Audrey had the right idea here!)

 



An overcast morning with a threat of showers saw 20 walkers gather at Girvan's South Car park for the walk. Isobel, Frances, Irene, Duncan, Audrey, Florence, Jack, Peter, Lily, Leslie, Christine Sloan, Mary, Jim, Gordon, Douglas, Valerie from Wigtown, Paul and Debbie with her cousin Avril.  Florence appointed me her deputy a she wanted Lesley to be a back up as leader as he knew the route so well. As we left our cars Debbie and Avril realized that their packed lunches were left at home – we all said we had more than enough to share with them but, not long after we had set off Avril was finding the going pretty tough (she only had trainers on) and they turned back because she was not feeling well.

They began by heading south along the coast, past the Ainslie Manor Home and Craigskelly.

Reaching Shalloch Mill they turned east towards the Byne Hill Caravan Park. Lots of miniature d onkeys grazed happily in the fields. A gradual climb took them through the farm at Brochneil where a small classic Austin A35 car caught the eye of some of today’s walkers.

Once through the farm, a short distance along the hardcore road brought them to a gate to begin climbing Byne Hill.  A sometimes rocky climb saw them reach a point where they could access a path along the western edge of Byne Hill.

Occasional stops to admire the views were taken. Even with the cloud cover, Girvan and the coast up to the Turnberry Lighthouse were clearly visible. Ailsa Craig was prominent throughout the walk.  A two carriage train heading north passed below and to the east.

Next they dropped down from Byne Hill to the neglected Crawfuird Monument.  Sitting above Ardmillan House, the monument commemorates Major A.C.B. Crawfuird, who took part in the capture of the Cape of Good Hope in 1795.

From here they now climbed Mains Hill and took to the lower slopes of Fell Hill south westerly. Lots of bog cotton and wild orchids blossomed along the route. A mighty shower of driving rain and hail soon drenched the group.Next they negotiated the fairly steep sided Barniecairn Glen. By now the rain had stopped.  

Next traversed was a field of cows and calves which brought them down to Rea Glen.

Reaching the radio and telephone mast at Kilranny above Kennedy's Pass on the A77, they stopped for a lunch break. The wind and rain had cleared completely by now and views across to Arran and the Firth of Clyde were afforded.    

After lunch they now headed easterly along a farm track before taking to the slopes of Lochton Hill. The lower braes of Grey Hill were now before them and a steady climb took them to the 297 Mt summit. Another shower of rain, less in intensity than the previous one was soon to blow over.

The group now made their way north along the summit ridge onto Fell Hill and into the Grey Hill Grassland Nature Reserve. A variety of wild flowers were admired.

Next they dropped down to the boggy area of Craiglea. From here they would make their way anti clockwise around the lower slopes of Byne Hill.  A few gates, barbed wire fences and drystone walls had been crossed over the course of the walk. Now a wall and a fence together

were carefully crossed to bring them down to the hardcore track at Balaclava Wood.  This then took them back to Brochneil Farm, from where they retraced their outward route back to the car park.

Another fine walk was concluded by a number of walkers enjoying tea and cakes at the Woodland Farm Tea Room.