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I'm in a fellow walkers car today.There'll be a delay in starting todays walk.
The car park where we should have been parking(in this picture) was inaccessible due to contractors on road improvement work.
Our new start is at the small parish church of Glenapp.
In the church grounds are the graves of the first,second and third Earls of Inchcape.
The Inchcape family name is Mackay,and at one time most of the land around Glenapp would have been part of the estate.
In 1928 the Hon. Elsie Mackay, third daughter of the first Earl of Inchcape, owner of Glenapp Estate, was lost attempting the first flight across the Atlantic.
On the hillside opposite,planted in memory of Elsie Mackay are rhododendrons and azaleas in their summer glory.
And an inscription on the bell tower also to her memory.
More on the history of the church can be found at
http://www.ballantraeparishchurch.org.uk/Glen%20Kirk.htm
Around twenty walkers assembled,suitably attired for the lovely warm sunny day it was.
The first part of the walk is a long moderate incline along Craiganlea,with views over Loch Ryan and the North Rhins.
The pace at the moment is fine for me.Plenty of energy to converse with other walkers and put the world to right.
Now on the braes of Sandloch hill,the views begin to open up for us.
To the west,beyond the Corsewall lighthouse Northern Ireland looks a stones throw away...
...and to the north is Ailsa Craig,Arran and Holy Isle.Views also seen of the Mull of Kintyre,and possibly the Isle of Bute,but i'm not sure about that.
Our walk leader and other ramblers pick out points of interest.
There are sheep around,so gates have to be closed.Our path now zig zags down to the shore...
...where below us is Portandea...
...also known as Two Door Cove.This was a seaside chalet built in the 1920's for the Inchcape family.
A steepish climb down and here we 'll have lunch.
There's even time for a little exploration.
No one's in a real hurry to leave this lovely place,but eventually we're retracing our steps and climbing.
I'm struggling to keep up.I forgot my Chic Murray hat today,and i've caught a bit of heat from the sun...
...but with views as good as this,there are plenty of stops.
Time to zoom in on Ailsa Craig...
...as P & O and Stena ferries make their way across the north channel.
A fellow walker brings these lovely common spotted orchids to my attention.
A few more breaks are taken before we begin descending back to the start point.
We're nearly back at Glenapp church,where the 'Water of App' is looking decidedly anaemic (merriam-webster dictionary : lacking force, vitality, or spirit.)Although we did spot a number of small fish swimming
With the former manse of Glenapp church coming into view,our walk is concluded.The car park is at the rear.
A lovely walk on a lovely day.
It`s a worthwhile walk this one.I done it in November a few years ago and promised myself I would go back sometime in spring or summer...
ReplyDeleteIt's one i'm sure we'll do again.Might bump into you...
ReplyDeleteAttempted this walk yesterday, stunning views and a fantastic walk. We didnt make it down to the cove, however, as we were put off by PRIVATE PROPERTY - NO ENTRY signs at the start of the zigzag path with a number to ring which is Glennapp Estates, were these signs there when you walked it? Surely they are not allowed to do this?
ReplyDeleteHi Valerie,our group walked this a few weeks ago.I missed it this time,but they never mentioned any problems.
ReplyDeleteI think the private signs were up and we ignored them,which we tend to do anyway.There's too many private signs going up around Galloway,and they've absolutely no right to be erected.I'm with you.
POINTS OF INTEREST
ReplyDelete"The Inchcape family name is Mackay,and at one time most of the land around Glenapp would have been part of the estate"
GLENAPP ESTATE IS STILL OWNED AND MANAGED BY THE INCHCAPE FAMILY IN ITS ENTIRETY.
PORTANDEA IS A PRIVATE HOLIDAY HOUSE AND THE PRIVATE NO ENTRY SIGNS APPLY TO THE HOUSE.
THE CAR PARK FOR THE AYRSHIRE COASTAL PATH IS ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE A77 OPPOSITE THE GLENAPP CHURCH NOT AT THE BACK OF THE MANSE WHICH IS A PRIVATE FAMILY HOME.
POINTS OF INTEREST
ReplyDeleteThe Inchcape family still own and manage Glenapp Estate in its entirety.
The Private No Entry signs refer to Portandea House which is a private holiday house which unfortunately is continually vandalised.
The Car Park for the Ayrshire Coastal Path is to the West of the A77 opposite the Glenapp Church and not behind the Manse which is a private family house.
Any concerns/queries should be addressed to the Glenapp Estate Office, the telephone number (01465 831210)is on every sign on the walk, you may be surprised by an open, welcoming and progressive business determined to improve the the local environment for the benefit of everybody.
To Anonymous:Points of Interest.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your update,and I'm not surprised that Glenapp estates are welcoming and progressive.
We as a group often walk parts of the Glenapp estate and have never had any problems.
However,If the private sign is misleading and stops walkers from enjoying the countryside then perhaps it should be reworded.The fact is that many landowners are putting private signs up on recognised rights of way.
It's a shame about Portandea House though.
When did the house get demolished?
ReplyDeleteWas down a walk there today and was shocked to see it was gone.
It looks like theyve been doing a lot of work to improve the road down to it too, as we headed down we presumed maybe this was to make it more accessible and that it was maybe going to be getting renovated and re-used but turns out it must have been so a digger or something could get down to raze it to the ground.
Surprisingly there are what looks like new water and power cables coming down the hill which stop at the bottom just near where the house was.
I can't help you with that Maurice,this is the first I've heard of it.
ReplyDeleteI suppose it was inevitable because of continued vandalism,some people have little or no respect for other peoples property.
Perhaps if they,re laying new pipes a secure rebuild is under way.It's a beautiful spot.
Yes possibly there are plans to replace it given the new utilites cables and works to the "road" down to it.
ReplyDeleteSeems a shame to knock down a piece of history though, plus whats to say that a new building wouldnt be vandalised anyway. Who on earth would be down there to vandalise it anyway though, since its that far off the beaten track im surprised anyone bar walkers would even know of its existence.
And did anyone even use it as a holiday cottage in recent times?
Yes its a lovely secluded spot down there, though we did have to move rather quick after 2 wild goats made a charge for us near the bottom of the path.
I enjoyed seeing the photographs of the bungalow at Portanadea and was sad to hear of its demise.I stayed here on a school camping trip in June 1964 and the photos brought back a lot of memories.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment Neil, It's a shame the house has gone. I need to revisit soon to see what's happening.
ReplyDelete