Here's a short kayaking clip by YouTube user AlfRiverRunner
The day was dry but a bit overcast.
Loch Doon looked cold.Loch Doon June 2011
It was a nicer day back in June when I was here.
The path we took was above the gorge.
There were fallen trees everywhere.These were big mushrooms.
A fort has been built on Craigengillan Estate near Dalmellington for use by the Army Cadets, Air Cadets and Sea Cadets.I believe the plan is also to make it a 'Dark Sky' project.
Here's a funny looking woodpecker.We did hear lots of them.
Across the gorge the trees looked beautiful.
We soon got views towards Dalmellington.
Now the track took us back downhill to the river.It looks like the gate on the bridge might be original.The bridge itself isn't.
Although we'd seen Craigengillan on the drive in,this was our first view of it on the walk.
Specialist sheep (Maybe Castlemilk Moorit or Hebridean) grazed in a field beyond the pond.
Craigengillan House. The founding family, the McAdams, and their descendants, remained the proprietors until 1999.A comprehensive and very interesting history can be found here.
Craigengillan History
We made our way back to the main driveway into the estate before crossing the Doon.
There were a lot of big old trees.Beech and Redwood were prominent.My walking partner poses for a perspective view.That's a big tree.
A forestry outdoor project looking very jaded.
Note to the Forestry Commission,this is a great idea but it needs looking after.People wont come back to a dump !
Arriving back at the bottom of Ness Glen we now took the riverside path back to the loch.
If you like tumbling water as I do then this is for you.A fabulous stretch of river.
The Doons flow is regulated at the dam.
Back at the car we got talking to Brian Meechan the proprieter of the Roundhouse Cafe.
We'll see you in the summer Brian.
The sky was bluer as we finished,but nevertheless this is one beautiful place.
This walk looks brilliant. Lovely photos too. Well done. X
ReplyDeleteThat is one of my favourite glens will be pleased to assist you in the future if you want to work out a suitable walk for our group.
ReplyDeletePerhaps the woodpecker is a self portrait (I've been at too many chemicals in the lab today I think)
ReplyDeleteAlex Had mentioned this glen as a good day trip, just never got around to doing it yet.Looks good Jim.
ReplyDeletebob.