03 – 14/06/24
I have wanted to take a ferry from Ardrossan to Campbeltown and ride up the west coast for several years, but the summer-only service keeps becoming a never service. This was an attempt to go this sort of way anyway, starting at the Mull of Galloway and heading north. I was over-ambitious and it didn’t quite work out as planned, so I spent some time on Arran and Bute instead.
This trip featured midges, rain, an eye that was stuck closed overnight and a fungal cycling short issue.
Questionable route choice “In memory of Jean Galloway Hunter Blair, 1890 -1953, whose wish it was that a shelter should be built in this place” Straiton Straiton Carrick Forest
Morning hail storm in Glentrool Glenluce Glenluce Sandhead Approaching the Mull of Galloway Foghorn (no longer in use) Mull of Galloway lighthouse Location for filming The Vanishing, based on the Flannan Isle mystery Isle of Man in the distance From the Mull
Dirniemow Bridge – felt like I was in The 39 Steps here Cross Water of Luce and railway line Near the Ayrshire/Dumfries & Galloway border
Excellent shop and PO in Dailly doing filled rolls Campsite at Culzean Castle Aldi packet risotto 5 stars Looking towards Arran
Lumpy bit from Maybole over Brown Carrick Hill On to NCN route 7 to Troon Ayr My old shared flat in Troon, first floor bay window was my room I think North Bay from Barassie Troon – Brodick Brodick Wet and midgey Glen Rosa Glen Rosa campsite
Breakfast in Brodick; Troon Ferry on the left Goatfell rage Lamlash Holy Island Above Kildonan; Pladda and Ailsa Craig Lost dog, who found me Blackwaterfoot. Many bus stops had furniture provided. Up the String… …and down I saw a few of these… …first one I though was a dog’s gravestone… …but I think they might be art Glen Rosa campsite
Corrie The road up from Sannox to Lochranza … and looking back down Descent through Glen Chalmadale Lochranza campsite Deer still in residence
Leaving Lochranza Tarbert… …I came here one before, in 1993, and still recognised it Tarbert – Portavadie Portavadie There was no information about this, but it was cool Kyles of Bute Glendaruel campsite
Kilmodan stones Kilmodan church Bealach Maim to Otter Ferry Loch Ruel Colintraive from Bute… …Apparently not quite Scotland’s shortest ferry crossing Port Bannatyne Rothesay harbour Rothesay harbour toilets, one of the top attractions Rothesay Castle
Ex-church by North Bute cemetery St Colmac stone circle Ettrick Bay St Ninian’s Bay Field of fox gloves Scalpsie Bay and the highland boundary fault Kilchattan Scoulag entrance to Mount Stuart Mount Stuart Mount Stuart gardens Serpentine Road Rothesay Bute Yard