The Wigtownshire Ramblers Byne Hill Circular May 2014

Although I missed this walk, It's an idea to publish a selection of pictures by Scoop and the report so here they are. It's quite a possibility that the Ayrshire blogger will publish the same pictures, but no worries.

The report follows the pictures. 

Saturday the 3rd of May 2014

Wigtownshire Ramblers – Saturday 3rd May 2014 Byne Hill, Grey Hill and Kennedy’s Pass

Seventeen ramblers assembled at the Woodlands Restaurant, just off the A77 south of Girvan.  The morning was overcast with a cool wind blowing from the east.  Not much of a May morning!  However, there were hints of brightness to the south and we were optimistic we would have a dry day.  Our leader explained that the walk had been modified to avoid a field with newly released cows and calves and outlined the proposed route for the day.  We duly set off up the steep incline through the woods dotted with wild flowers towards the Craufurd Memorial in the saddle between Byne Hill and Mains Hill.

After a short struggle we reached the monument which is now in a very poor state of repair with no indication of the reason for the construction.  However, there were fine views over the Firth to Ailsa Craig and the narrow littoral plain along the shore.

Leaving the memorial we skirted the south side of Mains Hill and negotiated some boggy ground towards Fell Hill.  On crossing the burn we found a well-used quad bike track and followed it up the hill to the summit.  The wind was now much stronger and swept in over the open ground to the south-east causing the walkers to fasten their coats more securely.  The views had opened out and the coastline up to Girvan and beyond was laid out below us to the north. The Ayrshire countryside was spread out below us to the east and the sea, speckled with white horses, to the west.  Unfortunately the distant haze concealed the Galloway Hills, the Kintyre peninsular and Arran.  Ahead of us to the south the prominent peak of Grey Hill stood out against a small patch of blue sky which had pierced the grey overcast.  All around us small patches of sunlight pinpointed various features of the landscape.

We pressed on down into a shallow valley and then tackled the slopes of Grey Hill.  Just before the summit a short break was taken in the shelter of some rocks out of the gale force wind.  Refreshed, we then clambered up to the trig point and paused for a group photo before climbing steeply down the other side to a shallow pass in the ridge.

At this point two walkers left the group to continue a recce for next week’s Newton Stewart Walking Festival walk from Girvan to Colmonell.  The walk is well booked but a few spaces are left for anyone wishing to join the event.  See www.newtonstewartwalkfest.com.

We then turned down the south-east face of the ridge and crossing some boggy patches we entered the Grey Hill Grassland Reserve managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust. Wildflowers and other plants - including many uncommon ones - flourish on the rare serpentinite rocks. We walked around the lower slopes of Cairn Hill and emerged from the reserve at Drumfairn. Turning north along the farm road we paused for a lunch break in a sheltered spot beside the Bynehill Burn. Two crows provided entertainment as they swooped and harried a kestrel who had trespassed on their territory.

Lunch over; we headed towards the Byne Hill caravan park at Brochneil. Here the group split again as the majority headed up Byne Hill. However, a few of us decided that it was one hill too far and elected to walk around its lower slopes. Here we were accosted by a miniature pony making its presence felt and demanding to be fed. A notice on the fence warned us against this and indeed it did look very well nourished. Further down the lane two donkeys or mules (we couldn’t decide which) were lazing about in another field.

Emerging from the lane we crossed the busy A77 to walk along the path next to the beach. Out to sea was a raft of eider ducks and on our left was the colourful big top of the Circus Vegas. What caught our attention most were the huge, luxurious travelling homes - obviously American built - which must have had trouble negotiating our small roads.

Re crossing the road we arrived back at Woodlands where afternoon tea had been arranged. A short time later the mountaineering group swooped in – victorious at having climbed Byne Hill and producing the photographs to prove it. A delicious tea followed after which the group set off for home. The two intrepid Walking Festival researchers were located in the Boar’s Head in Colmonell having had a fantastic walk along the ridges from Girvan with spectacular coastal views.


Next week Ramblers are leading or participating in the walking festival. The walk on 17th May will be a 10 mile circle behind Cairnryan. Meet at the Riverside Car Par in Newton Stewart at 9.15am or the Breastworks car park in Stranraer at 9.30 am for car sharing. The walk starts at the Merchant House, Cairnryan at 10am. If going straight to the start or joining us for the first time please telephone the walk leader on 01776 870441.

Wigtownshire Ramblers Grey Hill Kennedy's Pass November 2011

It's Saturday the 19th of November and today's walk is in South Ayrshire.We've been around these hills a few times,here's a couple of links to previous walks.
May 2011
May 2010

Other views of today's walk will be available on Slewtrain's blog on this link.
Gordon's Account

Today we've parked up at the Woodlands Farm complex.

The cormorants are hoping for the sun as we are,but there's not much hope.

Just south of Girvan this is a thriving business with a hotel,restaurant,farm shop,equine activities and a trout pond to attract visitors.

We're a group of 21 walkers as we set off uphill.

It's a stiff start to a walk.The word is that today there will be mud!.

Our first point of interest is the ever deteriorating Craufurd's Monument.
The following passage is totally inaccurate.I'm getting my history mixed up.
( An interesting account of the escapades of Robert Craufurd also known as Black Bob can be found here.Napoleon Guide Craufurd )
The monument is to a Major Archibald Clifford Blackwell Craufurd once owner of Ardmillan Castle.
(Corrected by me at 7pm Sunday)
Whatever your views on history and war,it's a shame to see structures like this falling down.

I don't usually do close up's but it's looking a bit misty and I've got to take pictures.
Above are a few of the characters I'm walking with today.

After walking through the gap between Mains and Byne hills we begin to ascend Cairn Hill.

We're a group of differing fitness today.I was at the back,but I've found some extra....must be the drugs taking effect. ha ha.That's Byne Hill behind the laggers.

Gaining height we do get a bit of a view.I've enhanced the above collage to make it clearer than it really was.

Atop Cairn Hill and a moment for the steadier walkers to catch up.

A steady climb now gets us up Fell Hill before reaching the highest point of the day............

............the summit of Grey Hill.

Again I've enhanced the picture .Here's the crazy gang.

There was no flush bracket on this trig point.

Now we descend, stopping for a lunch break in a sheltered spot before continuing on towards Pinbane Hill.

Here's a likely trio.Is it Curly,Larry and Moe.........Huey Duey and Louie or.......... Tom ,Dick and Harry ?
Hang on,it's the Father,Son and the Holy Ghost!.

The fog clears a bit lower down.
Slew again tries to fly.

There's a number of Waxcap Mushrooms on these hills.
According to Galloway Wildfoods these are edible.

We're looking down towards Lendalfoot here.

Now we reach the top of Pinbane Hill.

The Pinbane burn cuts a lovely scenic glen to the south.

We've almost got blue skies.
Knockdolian,a favourite little hill of ours silhouettes against the clouds.

Ailsa Craig comes into view.

We're too far away to see them but there's quite a number of seals on the rocks today.

Now we reach the old coach road that'll take us back to Woodlands.

A radio mast silhouettes against the sky.

We head past Kilranny Cottage as sheep graze above Kennedy's Pass. This Old Coach road is part of the Ayrshire Coastal Path these days and the sign above indicates this.

We're just mudlarks for the day,these poor creatures are in it every day.Who'd be a cow ?

A pretty waterfall greets us as we pass Ardwell farm.We've a lot of mud to contend with now.

The track seems to vanish as we cross another muddy field.

We eventually reach more solid footing at the Ardmillan Castle Holiday Park.

Arriving back at Woodlands Farm a good many of us enjoyed refreshments in the cafe.
Considering the conditions this was still an enjoyable walk.
When I receive the report from the 'Weaver', I'll copy and paste it here.


Ramblers’ walk November 18th 2011

Woodlands hotel provided the ramblers with a convenient start for this Saturday’s walk. The new gardens and pond were admired before the steep slog began, up a twisting path to the monument in a gap along the Girvan ridge. The going was slow, muddy and very warm.

Although the monument stands proud of the hillside from below, it is in a sorry state. The iron railings that once surrounded it have mostly been removed and the stone facings and inscriptions are dilapidated and in danger of total collapse. It commemorated the once owner of Ardmillan castle below, Major Archibald Clifford Blackwell Craufurd

The next objective was Cairn Hill (248m), reached by walking through the boggy pass and climbing gently beside a tumbled wall. The views from here towards Girvan showed Byne hill and its pillar which had been given a miss today, the reservoir by Pinminnoch, and the surrounding fields, but mist was rolling in across the further hills and sea.

There was now a quad bike track to follow to the next summit, Fell Hill (266m), where there were no longer any views at all. The great expanse of moor and bog to the east of the ridge, which is Greyhills nature reserve, managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, was hidden by the mist which became thicker as the party descended a small defile and then ascended quickly to the highest point of the day, Grey Hill (297).

This area is famous for a special geological outcrop of the metamorphic serpentinite rock, formed by the extrusion of magma combined with minerals to form a lustrous, soft, dark green rock which is easily carved, thus giving it the alternative name of soapstone.

The wind had become bitingly cold so lunch was delayed until the shelter of a west facing hollow was found, when the mist lifted slightly and a good view was obtained of Ailsa Craig, rising majestically from the still hazy sea.

The last ascent, up Pinbain Hill, had good views of the near surroundings – the Lendalfoot hills and glen - and the sun at last came through as the old coach road below was reached. There were still a few waxcaps to be seen on the hill, small, bright red and orange fungi which grow on poor, unfertilised, and well cropped land. They are a special attraction of these hills in autumn.

The path now took the route of the Ayrshire Coast path, above Kennedy’s pass, as far as Ardwell farm. This old coach road was built about 1780 and on this stretch is still well surfaced. An old shepherd’s cottage at Kilranny, now used as a gathering pen for sheep and cattle, and two radio repeater masts were passed, as this delightful high level track was walked, in relative warmth as the sun shone and the wind abated. A tall waterfall was dutifully photographed by the enthusiasts before the party descended to lower, rougher ground and the company of two bulls and a crowd of cows and calves.

The ground became very muddy as the farm road was followed, churned up by the accompanying cattle which were at last left behind at a gate, giving entrance to a boggy field above Ardmillan caravan site. There was no sign of the demolished castle, the home of Major Craufurd, whose monument had been the landmark at the start of the walk. After wetly negotiating a route behind Crow wood, and passing down a quarry road, it was a very relieved twenty one ramblers who at last escaped the mud and arrived back at Woodlands for welcome refreshments.

Next week’s walk will be a ten mile trek from Glenamour, around Bargaly Glen and back through Kirroughtree forest. Meet at Breastworks, Stranraer, 9am, Riverside, Newton Stewart, 9.30am or Glenamour car park (NX441 671) 10am. If going straight to Glenamour please phone walk leader, 01776 840226. All are welcome.