Ramblers Annual Bus Outing

Annual Bus outing arrangements for Gatehouse of Fleet.  Please note this is only available to those who have previously booked a place on this outing.  The bus will depart East Ayrshire Council Headquarters, 95 London Road, Kilmarnock at 07.45.  This is an earlier start time than originally intimated.  

Raffle: there will also be a raffle on the bus, so any donations will be gratefully received.

Walk 1. (Grade C/Easy)

The walk will start from the main car park where we take a trail which leads us into the Garrie Woods & along beside the river Fleet for a short distance. The path meanders through beautiful beech woodland until we turn back to re-enter the Town. There are a number of old buildings which have all been beautifully restored. The High Street is very well maintained with a number of shops & cafes. We will wander down to the old Mill on the Fleet which has been re-opened as a visitor centre which gives us the history of the area in the time of the cotton spinning mills & beyond.

In the basement is a lovely cafe for the end of our walk. Free time can be spent exploring the shops and/or the pubs!

Boots or strong walking shoes are essential, particularly in light of all the wet weather we've had. I would also advise poles for the woods as there are tree roots in this area. For any further information please phone the leader, Robina Reed 07443033158.

Walk 2. Gatehouse of Fleet to Sandgreen (Grade C+Easy to Moderate)

This is an 9 mile circular woodland and countryside walk.  Our walk will take us past the Cally Palace Hotel and Cally Mains Farm.  Beyond Cally Mains we will pass through fine Oak and Beech woodland.  From there we follow the track to Sandgreen and the fine views across the Fleet Estuary.  From Sandgreen we continue on minor roads past the Clauchan of Girthorn.  From Girthorn we re-enter the woods on our paths back to Cally Gardens before returning into town.

Poles, gaiters and stout shoes or boots recommended as there is a mix of beaten earth, minor roads and hard surface track.  For more information contact Graham Robertson 07867544342 or Sarah McRoberts 07923117471.

Walk 3. Cairnsmore of Fleet (Grade A Strenuous)

Cairnsmore of Fleet. B+ strenuous. Distance 9.1 miles. Total ascent 2307 feet. Duration 5 to 5.5 hours.   The walk starts from the Rowan Glen yogurt factory near Palnure. We walk to the summit of Cairnsmore (2332 ft) then return by the same route. The start of the walk is on hard road surfaces, before walking around the outside of a field to pick up the hill path. The first part of the hill path is through forestry, but this doesn't obstruct the lovely views behind us. Coming out of the trees, we follow the path to the summit on open hillside where the views become even more spectacular. At the summit there is a memorial stone for the airmen who perished in a plane crash on the hill. The path is mostly quite rocky with some muddy areas. This is a beautiful area, well worth the climb.

For more information contact the walk leader Ken Stow 07543698477.