The Walking Group is a fair-weather affair! We meet in the spring to autumn months and go on some great walks chosen by Vickie! We have fun, a laugh and a bit of exercise on the side!
River Ayr Walk
CHURCH WALKING GROUP
For our walk in June, a small group of us met up at Auchincruve Church and took the bus to the hamlet of Failford. It was here that the betrothal of Robert Burns and “Highland Mary” is said to have taken place in 1786. In 1921, local freemasons erected a memorial stone to commemorate the event.
We walked along part of the River Ayr Way which starts at Glenbuck Loch and finishes at the sea at Ayr. We strolled along the side of the river skirting by Daldorch House, the residential home run by the National Autistic Society which we support each year from our tea money from April to June.
Unfortunately the rain came on gradually becoming heavier and we had to shelter in a barn for a short time. We carried on in very heavy rain walking down to the Stair Inn for some shelter and a welcome cup of tea and coffee. Behind the Stair Inn stands the Stair Church first built in 1706.
We decided enough was enough and walked back uphill to catch the bus back to Auchincruive. It was a pleasant walk particularly earlier with the better weather and hopefully the weather will be kinder to us for our next walk in July.
For our walk in June, a small group of us met up at Auchincruve Church and took the bus to the hamlet of Failford. It was here that the betrothal of Robert Burns and “Highland Mary” is said to have taken place in 1786. In 1921, local freemasons erected a memorial stone to commemorate the event.
We walked along part of the River Ayr Way which starts at Glenbuck Loch and finishes at the sea at Ayr. We strolled along the side of the river skirting by Daldorch House, the residential home run by the National Autistic Society which we support each year from our tea money from April to June.
Unfortunately the rain came on gradually becoming heavier and we had to shelter in a barn for a short time. We carried on in very heavy rain walking down to the Stair Inn for some shelter and a welcome cup of tea and coffee. Behind the Stair Inn stands the Stair Church first built in 1706.
We decided enough was enough and walked back uphill to catch the bus back to Auchincruive. It was a pleasant walk particularly earlier with the better weather and hopefully the weather will be kinder to us for our next walk in July.
Coastal Path Walk
Sunny Kildoon Hill Slideshow
Another enjoyable and interesting walk, with good weather, beautiful scenery and interesting chat.
Straiton Walk Slideshow
CHURCH WALKING GROUP
It was a bright, clear and sunny day in July when we had the pleasure of Rev. Rona joining us on her first walk since her injury and Pat Johnston joining us for the first time. We drove down to Straiton and firstly did a short walk known as, appropriately, the Church Walk. The name refers to the Victorian practice of church going from the castle and the Dower House to the village church via the mill-lade.
We then sat at a picnic table for lunch before heading off on the Hill Wood walk of just over four miles. We walked uphill with lovely views opening up as we headed towards Altizourie noting Blairquhan Castle beyond the water meadows. The castle was in the ownership of the Hunter Blair family for over 200 years before being sold to its present owners in 2012. It is now a popular venue for weddings. We walked along a track with views up to Straiton Monument which is a monument to Lt. Col. James Hunter Blair who was mortally wounded at the Battle of Inkerman in 1854. Bennan Hill provided an impressive backdrop and we had great views over to Maybole.
It was a bright, clear and sunny day in July when we had the pleasure of Rev. Rona joining us on her first walk since her injury and Pat Johnston joining us for the first time. We drove down to Straiton and firstly did a short walk known as, appropriately, the Church Walk. The name refers to the Victorian practice of church going from the castle and the Dower House to the village church via the mill-lade.
We then sat at a picnic table for lunch before heading off on the Hill Wood walk of just over four miles. We walked uphill with lovely views opening up as we headed towards Altizourie noting Blairquhan Castle beyond the water meadows. The castle was in the ownership of the Hunter Blair family for over 200 years before being sold to its present owners in 2012. It is now a popular venue for weddings. We walked along a track with views up to Straiton Monument which is a monument to Lt. Col. James Hunter Blair who was mortally wounded at the Battle of Inkerman in 1854. Bennan Hill provided an impressive backdrop and we had great views over to Maybole.
CROSSHILL WALK SLIDESHOW
First walk of the new season - Meet outside Auchincruive Church at 12 noon on Saturday,30th. May for an easy walk in the Galston area.
At the new memorial stone to the Reverend Dr. Robert Stirling who was the inventor of the Stirling Steam Engine.
CHURCH WALKING GROUP
On Sat. 30th May, 5 of us set off for Galston – Vickie (our leader), David (our photographer), John (our wildlife expert), Stewart (our St. Meddans guest) and Colin (the driver)! We parked at Barr Castle and walked through some nice woodland by Cessnock Castle and out into open land with lovely views over the Irvine Valley with even Ben Lomond in view in the distance. We travelled back round on the Sornhill road through woodland again listening to the chaffinches and blackbirds chirping away and admiring the array of red campion and the mayflower. Most impressive was the fabulous carpets of bluebells throughout woods.
We visited Galston cemetery on the way back where we looked at the grave of the Reverend Dr. Robert Stirling who was the inventor of the Stirling engine. He was a minister as second charge of the Laigh Kirk of Kilmarnock in 1816 and was minister of Galston Parish Church from 1824 until 1878. He died on 6th June 1878 and a new gravestone was erected in December 2014 by public subscription replacing the original stone which was in a ruined state. A service of re-dedication was held on 3rd May this year.
It was a lovely walk on a pleasant afternoon with both woodland and open country views with plenty of fauna and flora to admire and good company into the bargain!
On Sat. 30th May, 5 of us set off for Galston – Vickie (our leader), David (our photographer), John (our wildlife expert), Stewart (our St. Meddans guest) and Colin (the driver)! We parked at Barr Castle and walked through some nice woodland by Cessnock Castle and out into open land with lovely views over the Irvine Valley with even Ben Lomond in view in the distance. We travelled back round on the Sornhill road through woodland again listening to the chaffinches and blackbirds chirping away and admiring the array of red campion and the mayflower. Most impressive was the fabulous carpets of bluebells throughout woods.
We visited Galston cemetery on the way back where we looked at the grave of the Reverend Dr. Robert Stirling who was the inventor of the Stirling engine. He was a minister as second charge of the Laigh Kirk of Kilmarnock in 1816 and was minister of Galston Parish Church from 1824 until 1878. He died on 6th June 1878 and a new gravestone was erected in December 2014 by public subscription replacing the original stone which was in a ruined state. A service of re-dedication was held on 3rd May this year.
It was a lovely walk on a pleasant afternoon with both woodland and open country views with plenty of fauna and flora to admire and good company into the bargain!
Walk, Saturday 1st. November to Lanfine Estate, Newmills Slideshow.
Our Walking Group took advantage of the unseasonably mild weather for an autumnal walk in the area of the Lanfine Estate, Newmills.
The "Usual Suspects" enjoyed good company and chat along the way as they enjoyed the scenery, enriched by some glorious and vibrant autumn colours. A high fish tea at Nardini's was not an option, but we did enjoy 'alfresco dining' at the 'Ancient Beech Tree Restaurant!'
The "Usual Suspects" enjoyed good company and chat along the way as they enjoyed the scenery, enriched by some glorious and vibrant autumn colours. A high fish tea at Nardini's was not an option, but we did enjoy 'alfresco dining' at the 'Ancient Beech Tree Restaurant!'
The Ness Glen, Dalmellington/ Loch Doon Walk
CHURCH WALKING GROUP
On Saturday 27th September, 6 of us drove down to Dalmellington. We walked up by the War Memorial and along the edge of Bellsbank. From here we had lovely views over to Bogton Loch and Auchenroy Hill. We walked alongside Craigengillan Estate which was the family home of the Macadam family , the most famous member being John Loudon Macadam, the road builder who invented the first tar macadam road. We arrived at the picturesque Loch Doon where a welcome stop was made at the Roundhouse Cafe for coffee. Unfortunately the ospreys had flown away only a few days earlier. We then walked back through Ness Glen, a spectacular gorge through which flowed the fast streams of the River Doon. It was another very pleasant Saturday afternoon walk.
On Saturday 27th September, 6 of us drove down to Dalmellington. We walked up by the War Memorial and along the edge of Bellsbank. From here we had lovely views over to Bogton Loch and Auchenroy Hill. We walked alongside Craigengillan Estate which was the family home of the Macadam family , the most famous member being John Loudon Macadam, the road builder who invented the first tar macadam road. We arrived at the picturesque Loch Doon where a welcome stop was made at the Roundhouse Cafe for coffee. Unfortunately the ospreys had flown away only a few days earlier. We then walked back through Ness Glen, a spectacular gorge through which flowed the fast streams of the River Doon. It was another very pleasant Saturday afternoon walk.
Largs to Wemyss Bay Walk
CHURCH WALKING GROUP
On a bright, sunny and breezy Sat. in August, 11 of us set off by car to the Marina at Largs. We walked along the promenade by the Pencil to Largs which was buzzing due to the Vikingar Festival taking place. We carried on along the promenade before walking gradually uphill passing by Routenburn Golf Course and Knock Castle. A break was taken for lunch and allowed us beautiful views looking over to Cumbrae and Bute. We moved on through the hamlet of Meigle and walked down by Skelmorlie Castle overlooking Meigle Bay. The last part of the walk took us along to Wemyss Bay where we enjoyed a coffee in the Ferry terminal before catching the bus back to Largs. The day wouldn’t have been complete without our visit to Nardinis for fish teas! It was another very pleasant afternoon enjoying the company, panoramic views and of course the fish teas!
On a bright, sunny and breezy Sat. in August, 11 of us set off by car to the Marina at Largs. We walked along the promenade by the Pencil to Largs which was buzzing due to the Vikingar Festival taking place. We carried on along the promenade before walking gradually uphill passing by Routenburn Golf Course and Knock Castle. A break was taken for lunch and allowed us beautiful views looking over to Cumbrae and Bute. We moved on through the hamlet of Meigle and walked down by Skelmorlie Castle overlooking Meigle Bay. The last part of the walk took us along to Wemyss Bay where we enjoyed a coffee in the Ferry terminal before catching the bus back to Largs. The day wouldn’t have been complete without our visit to Nardinis for fish teas! It was another very pleasant afternoon enjoying the company, panoramic views and of course the fish teas!
Portencross Walk
‘Ayr: St Quivox Parish Church is the known name of St Quivox Parish Church, Scottish Charity Number: SC004906’