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This was such a straightforward walk in these glorious conditions that at times it was difficult to appreciate that Shalloch on Minnoch is a Corbett category hill (768m, the advantage of starting high.
Stinchar bridge
We parked at the Stinchar falls car park which added .7 of a mile of road walking each way. There are a couple of nearer off road spots but this is such a short walk just enjoy the beautiful setting at the beginning and endure the road section. There are still ongoing timber operations so the nearer spots might not be in use for parking.
Head onto moorland here
Orange tip butterflies have presumably just emerged as there were plenty of these little beauties about today.
Cut in at this path and follow the faint track to the burn. Today benign water flow so easy crossing but on other days it could be very different.
View north from 1st marker cairn
The faint track continues over some boggy ground crossing over Cairnadloch and heading for Caerloch Dhu where we stopped at the highest point for a snack and enjoy the fantastic views. Out west was Knockdolian and its twin volcanic plug Ailsa Craig, Arran in the haze. Straight ahead (north) was Irvine bay, Maybole & Dalmellington. To the east many lochs including Riecawr, Maceterick, Doon and the Rhinns of Kell, magnificent rugged beauty.
Featureless route ahead
For insect lovers every step on the fairly dry ground brought up at least a dozen spinner/crane flies types coming up to our knees but no further. Skylarks sang above us and a pair of buzzards scanned the ground. A weasel and a hare made up the wildlife spotting day.
Continue to follow the faint track passing to the left of the lochan and follow the track SW meandering past the rocks to finally turn up just behind the trig at 768.
Loch Riecawr
However from the trig, both eyesight and then OS map suggest the highest point is further east. In no rush we headed over to that point and at the outcrop looking down at ‘the Maidens bed’ it was indeed 5m higher.
From here you can continue over the Awful Hand ridge to the Merrick, a tough but rewarding hike.
Another trig pose
Today we retraced to the trig intending to have lunch but we were soon engulfed in a huge swarm of Daddy Long Legs. By the hundreds they swarmed attaching to us, covering bare arms legs and face. Trying to get into clothing. Intensely discomforting but at least they were not biting insects. The odd gust of wind blew them away to return on the calm. For 5 minutes it was a very odd situation. For some it might of freaked them out.
Army camouflaged hills
Lunch delayed we retraced our steps enjoying the primitive but beautifully army camouflaged colours of these treeless hills and the multitude of lochs and lochans.
A warm blue sky day to be enjoyed, a great little walk in good company, parched, time for a cold one.
