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Todays walk which was originally starting at Cairn Holy is now starting in Creetown.It's similar to a walk we did in January 2009 which can be linked here.
January 2009 Walk
We start as a group of 15, while another rambler will join us later.
We begin by walking through Creetown till we reach the Balloch Burn.This lady in her pony and trap is a regular sight in the village.
Just above Beardies Bridge are the ruins of one of the three mills that once employed the people of Creetown.This one produced cotton.
Now we're heading through Balloch or Ballochanamour wood on the well used footpaths that criss cross it.
With very little rain for a while,reflective pools are numerous.A red squirrel scampers up a tree.
This is a popular wood for us to walk.Here's a couple of previous walks.
October 2009 Walk
May 2009 Walk
Now we pass the Balloch bridge...
...and the Garrochar ponds.As always this is nature at her best,albeit with some human assistance. 
After a bit of road walking and crossing Billy Diamond's bridge, we head over fields to reach Glenquicken stone circle.It's estimated this site dates back to 2000 BC.Time for a short break.
On the move again we cross the Englishman's burn,and head towards Cambret Hill.
Today we'll not go up to the masts,but skirt round Cambret,and head towards Cairnharrow.
The remains of a stone circle and a large round Neolithic cairned burial tomb sit between Cambret and Cairnharrow.We've a spongy,boggy,tussocky stretch to cross before we reach it.
I investigate a hole in the centre of the cairn.Someone suggests filling it in as I'm down here.Thanks for the pics Scoop.
Now comes the long haul up Cairnharrow.I'm struggling with the incline as usual,and although I pass these guys taking a break,they're soon passing me again.This hill isn't as high as Craignelder which I climbed on Thursday,but it seems much tougher.I can't explain it.
Perseverance and my staying power always comes through in the end though.The summit with all it's wonderful views is finally reached.
Now we have lunch.This morning I received a lovely gift in the post from one of my daughters.It's a Stanley Compass engraved with a Robert Frost poem.After showing it around I recited the poem.
'The road not taken' from Mountain Interval 1920.
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Over in the bay we see the islands from last weeks walk.The Murray Isles,Ardwall Isle and Barlocco.
Now we begin the descent .We're following the Claughreid burn and the Cleugh of Claughreid.
This is apparently the holiday home of a well known TV star.
Butterwort,one of Britain's carnivorous plants is spotted growing.
Another short break after crossing the Kirkdale burn. 
A look round Cairn Holy 2....JPG)
...then trying to get the vibes at Cairn Holy 1.A short walk down the lane gets us to Kirkdale Bridge.
This was the end of the walk for some of us.
The remainder took the climb down to the shore and Dirk Hatteraicks cave.
These pictures from Scoop.A very enjoyable walk and great company today.
Cairnholy has to be one of my favourite places, if only thoae stones could talk!!
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