Hill: Grey Hill circuit

Type: Sub2k

It was my first outing for quite some time with the Ayr OIR. Different being used to a group walking environment albeit split into two teams to spread us out. Still it was enjoyable to reconnect with a lot of old walking buddies.

I was initially in two minds as this is not my favourite circuit, in part very muddy, but I was hoping the prolonged dry spell prior to the weekends deluge might have dried it out. 

As we headed out of Girvan Ailsa Craig was covered in a bonnet of cloud, a lovely start.

Thankfully there was a stile nearby

We walked up a farm track only to find it was the wrong one so back to the road and up the correct one. The farmer clearly did not want people around!

This magnificent tup was looking lonely separated from his girls, never mind he will be back in action soon. 

Butterbur

Interesting flora and fauna opening up. This butterbur alongside the stream will fully open up with a brush like head, a member of the daisy family. This is our only native Butterbur and only seen in the lowlands plus Western Isles and Orkney.

We were avoiding fields with livestock, just as well, the Belted Galloways were frisky running right to the wire fence as soon as they spotted us. I remember livestock issues from my last venture here but that was horses maybe later.

Byne Hill

We contoured Byne Hill before doing a sharp climb up the several false tops to the trig, that got the lungs going.

Grey Hill

We took a drop from the top line and flanked below Cairn Hill before having a moorland tramp heading for Grey Hill. Then we spotted group 2 coming up the slopes, their track route had allowed them faster walking. Not wanting to meet we sprinted across the tussocks to meet the outliers before heading up the ridge to Grey Hill, beat them, just!

Looking back to Byne Hill, our descent route

We were heading for Pinbain Hill, a first for most of us but now so did group 2 avoiding Grey Hill.

We had to follow them but thankfully they pulled off and we marched past waving and commenting to each other. That was their final top but on we went a meander up and down small rolling tops and barbed wire fences. Plenty of them today.

Small cairn on Pinbain Hill

When we reached Pinbain we had good views down to Lendalfoot and across to Ailsa Craig from its small stone cairn.

Lunch stop please

Wind blowing more than a breeze so back we went to find a sheltered spot for lunch. The sun was out, the sky and the sea were blue and it was just us, a fine lunch break.

Back at Grey Hill, Pinbain middle right

Back up the steep moor slopes to Grey Hill and then a skyline route back over Fell Hill, through the gloopy stuff with the horses staying away to the side.

Monument and Ailsa Craig

Avoiding Byne Hill we went back down the monument track, more horses and bigger but no issues.

Mum's not bothered as the foal runs round her

At the bottom we were mesmerised by the youngest donkey I have seen running round the field bucking its hind legs, the joys of freedom, you got to smile at that.

A great end to a good day out and walking fitness being built up for the big months ahead when real freedom arrives. And great banter with the group.

Ascent: 702m

Distance: 16.1km

Time: 5.04

Wildlife: Meadow Pipit: Skylark; Carrion Crow; Chaffinch: Pied Wagtail; Gannet: Snipe. 

Now I know why it is called Grey Hill

Byne Hill from the start

It was too much to hope for that I would get 3 walks in a week all in good weather. Out with the ARC group today, the original plan was a Culter Fell horseshoe but last night it was cancelled due to bad weather, take your pick: high winds, mist, fog and rain not worth the long drive. A local substitute walk was put in place down by Girvan, walking Grey hill and then followed by Byne hill. Grey hill is a small Marilyn/Sub 2000 category at only 297 metres.

Ailsa Craig from the start

I had suspected, but now know for sure, why this is called Grey hill. The forecast was windy with rain around 2pm. On the radio Calmac had already disrupted sailings. As we parked up the reality was that light rain had already started and the tops were already covered in mist. Good camera packed away in a dry bag so mobile snaps only, sorry for quality.
We left the car park and walked south alongside the road cutting behind the nursing home before crossing the busy road and starting the walk proper. 
I suspected that this walk could be a mud fest and I was proved very much right. It didn’t help that a herd of cows had churned up the already boggy ground it was ankle deep areas of sludge in places with little options, the joys.

Follow an obvious track that initially heads up the flank of Byne hill. We now find ourselves amongst a large herd of horses who thankfully did not seem too concerned by our presence and then reached the memorial monument. This old monument, apparently to a James Craufurd, looks out from the Byne Hill across water to Ailsa Craig.I was told that he was some local worthy who was involved and possibly died in some far flung war, apologies if incorrect.
After going through a metal gate there was fresh evidence that the coos were around. We had to leave the path as it was so churned up. 

Dreich hollow

So an extra small hill (I think Mains Hill) had to be climbed, up and over, follow the hoof marks before descending through even more churned areas, weave through sharp gorse needles to a hollow to start Grey hill proper. The wind was now gusting so hard a couple of our walkers were almost blown over on the small hill, bad omen for further up. Rainbows over Girvan.

With the wind and rain there is not a lot to say about Grey hill it was a trudge, mainly following the quad bike track, a walk to be endured rather than enjoyed. 

Track to Grey Hill

At the trig point there was a misty view of Knockdolian and out to sea its twin volcanic plug, Ailsa Craig. On a clear day the 360 degree views would make the muddy walk worthwhile but no sign of Ireland, Arran etc today.

Grey hill trig Knockdolian in distance

We descended by following sheep trails down the leeward side, more or less retracing our steps to get back to the bottom of Byne hill. The weather has not relented, it was not my favourite walking day but at least it was not cold.
A short clamber gets us towards the top and guess what we meet the coos. Quite a large herd, some with young calves so all be wary. A few of them decided to run for it but a couple held their ground and we had to pass very close. The rest of the herd stood firm and gave us a good stare.  

Byne Hill looking back to Grey Hill

We continued the short climb upwards to the summit where there is a direction indicator and good views down to Girvan and out to Ailsa Craig. It actually looked like the sun was shining on parts of the town.

The walk continued along the hilltop before making a steep descent down a wet and slippy grassy slope. Byne hill caravan park sits below along with a less attractive scrapyard.

The obvious descent from here is discouraged as the local farmer does not want walkers across his land, he can’t stop walkers but no need for aggro. So, we now headed west and cut back along the flank of Byne hill, following a very faint route through ferns before finding a half hidden style.

Clamber over this and then cut across a field to meet the track we started on. Right at the end there was a field of pretty sheep that I had not seen before, later identified as Balwen Welsh mountain sheep. 

Not a day for other wildlife.
It was a good few hours of exercise in good company but I can’t see me rushing back too quickly to this terrain, certainly it would need to be a day with visibility guaranteed to get the views.
Time: 4 hours 23m
Distance: 7.1 miles (11.43km)
Ascent: 1312 ft (400m)