Craiglee Loch Doon

My walking partner was back from his holidays so back into our regular Wednesday routine. The weather forecast was mixed but we decided for a high level walk from Loch Doon climbing to Craiglee via the brilliantly named Wee Hill of Craigmulloch. I don't think that there is a big hill of the same name!! 
There is a starting point from the castle ruins but we added a bit more to the walk and started at the forestry track road junction, good car parking. There is a sign saying 'Craiglee path' so you can't get lost. Craiglee from near the start of walk shown below.

The initial route is up a reasonable path which climbs nicely already giving good views. just before merging with the castle route we were skirting along the edge of the tree plantation when we heard a cuckoo calling. We were at the bottom of the 'Wee Hill' before we spotted it sitting on a tree at the edge of the plantation. A good view through the binos confirmed it as the cuckoo before it flew off. To be heard but not seen again. My first sighting of the year so well chuffed.
The path is now gone, or we lost it, and it is a good pull through tough grassy tussocks to get to the top of the Wee Hill. The views back on the climb to the south of Loch Doon are superb. Looking left over the water to the ridge containing Coran of Portmark, Meaul among others on the range. Looking directly south the Merrick range shows well and to your right the range of Shalloch of Minnoch as shown below.

Included in the panorama are numerous lochs and open country, just brilliant.
Puffing we reach the summit of the Wee Hill at 421m, a good walk. The views up and down Loch Doon well worth the effort.
If you want you could stop and retrace your steps and enjoyed the views. To get to Craiglee you descend across rough ground about 150 metres and then you have another short but hard walk up to Craiglee at 523m. Moi at summit.

Two grouse sprung out of the heather on the way up but that was all we saw of them this trip, I think they have suffered badly in the harsh winter. The wind was very strong at the summit so we did not linger too long, but still excellent views of Lochs Finlas, Derlach and Bradan. Also views of the Arran peaks and the top of Ailsa Craig all wonderful.
We went down 50 metres or so of the south ridge where we stopped had lunch behind a huge rock for shelter and took in the magnificent views. Luckily for us the rain was sweeping either side of us in short showers but we escaped any direct hits.
Our descent was via the south flank of Craiglee, our route strayed too far south so we had to make our way back along the tree edges to get back to our path. OS map not fully up to date with tree forestation works.No big deal and about 20 minutes extra. However we did see an Orange tip butterfly and a few Wheatears on the way down. 
Back to the car, all in all 3 hours 15 minutes walking, 611 total metres climbed. 
As always in Scotland you do not have to go too high to get fabulous views. Well worth the effort. The legs will feel it later.