Las Ramblas Ramblers: September 2010

Tuesday, 28 September 2010

Ellenabeich to Caun & The World Stone Skimming Championships

Chris Difford was upset at not finding a Ferry to take his camper van over to the Island
despite claims that Andy & Jill had assured him a safe passage

Las Ramblas Ramblers (stone Skimming Division)
Bruce,Marion,Neil,Linda,Sam & Alfie travel north to take part in the great toss off and take in a walk joined by Andy,Jill,Kevin,Kay,Haddock & Bob

Easdale is the smallest permanently inhabited island of the Inner Hebrides. It was once the centre of a thriving Scottish slate mining industry, and one of the disused quarries forms a perfect arena for the World Stone Skimming Championships.
The championships are held every year on the last Sunday in September. Anyone of any age and any level of skill can enter. Each competitor is allowed 3 skims using specially selected Easdale slate skimming stones.
For a skim to qualify the stone must bounce at least three times - it is then judged on the distance achieved before it sinks.

Route

Kevin,Marion,Jill,Kay,Bob & Linda stride out for Caun

Alfie,Sam,Andy & Kevin head for the Championship Arena

Alfie's moment of triumph under 10 Boys World Champion

The new World Champion at his Field of Dreams

2010 Budgie Result
Bruce = 44mtrs
Kevin=42mtrs
Neil =37mtrs
Andy = 33mtrs

Alfie= 31mtrs
(Boy's Under 10 world Champion)

Jill = 22mtrs
Kay = 0 mtrs
Marion = 0 mtrs

Although you wont be able to stay during the World Stone Skimming Championships

as we will have every Room we recommend for all other visits to the area :-

http://www.garraghmhor.co.uk/

And for the evening

http://www.seilislandpub.co.uk/

For more information on the World Stone Skimming Championships see:-

http://www.stoneskimming.com/

Monday, 20 September 2010

Water of Leith

When June contacted Captain Kirk he & the rest of the Crew where very interested in a supposed new life form that had appeared in Edinburgh, however they took advice from

Communications Officer Lieutenant Nyota Uhura who had studied Sculpture at St Martins College and realised they wouldn't have to join us today.

Attended by Gillian,Alison,Bruce,Marion,June,Neil,Linda,Sam,Alfie and The Wrong Bruce

A walk along the Water of Leith featuring

'6 Times' a work by Antony Gormley
The walkway passes through many areas of interest we chose to start from the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art then on through Dean Village, Stockbridge, the Royal Botanic Garden and Leith. Ideal for family walks, the walkway is a delightful afternoon’s stroll, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Route

Gormley Statue

Linda,Alison,Gillian,June,The Wrong Bruce, Sam & Marion admire the work of banksy

Ahh the Beauty of Leith

Another Gormley

for more information on this area try:-

http://www.waterofleith.org.uk/

Antony Gormley

http://www.antonygormley.com/

Sunday, 19 September 2010

The Whangie - Queens View

Neils very good friend and celebrity rambler Donald Fagen called to say
he had seen the weather report and would be staying in Miami
as he had lost his Cagoule

Attended by Gillian,Alison,Layla,Bruce,June,Neil,Linda,Sam,Alfie and Avril
Let's go over to Sean for a weather report

"Oh lordy Las Ramblas batten down the hatches it's going to get wet out there
but it could still be a fun day. my advice is get out there and enjoy"

The Whangie in the north of the Kilpatricks is of particular interest to geologists and casual walkers alike. It consists of a slice of the hillside that has been separated from the main slope. This has created a narrow chasm up to 10 metres high and about 100 metres in length through which visitors can walk. It has commonly been explained as result of glacial plucking, but more recent research indicates that a translational landslide was the cause. During an ice age, a glacier slowly undermined the crag, opening up cracks in the rock and causing this chasm to form.
The etymology of the Whangie's name is obscure but it might derive from the old Scots for slice (as in whang o' cheese). Local folklore suggests that it was created by the devil flicking his tail as he flew past.

Route

June,Avril,Layla,Linda,Alison,Alfie,Gillian,Bruce and Sam enjoy the glorious sunshine

Neil's photographic skills make it look wet

click it if you want the big view

This is what its like on a dry day

thanks to cadja75 for the film

March 21st 2011

Marion gets to go through the Whangie, Bruce Joins her.

Marion strides out

View over Loch Lomond

Entering the Whangie

Future Frogs

Time to head to Drymen for Lentil Soup

See our return trip to the Whangie here

http://lasramblasramblers.blogspot.co.uk/2016/08/return-to-whangie.html

Mugdock Country Park

Celebrity Rambler and Friend of Bruce, Bob "The Bear" Hite wanted to join us on today's walk

but sadly had other commitments he poured out his disappointment in song

Attended by Gillian,Alison,Bruce,Marion,June,Neil,Linda,Sam,Alfie and Abby.

Mugdock Country Park was once home to 'The Great Marquis, James Graham', the remains of Mugdoch Castle (1372) still stand a short walk from the visitor centre at Craigend.

After a visit to the Tearoom, we had a meander through more than 260 hectares of ancient woodland, moorlands and wetlands, by castles and lochs

Route

Alison & Abby negotiate a tricky pass

looking over the loch

View over Mugdock wood

Reflction

click pics for larger version.

Chatelherault Country Park

Hill Walking fan Jean-Jacques Burnel has never forgiven Marion for not inviting him to join us
He got together with some of his chums to let her know how it still hurts

Attended by Gillian,Alison,Bruce,Marion,June,Linda,Sam,Alfie and Abby

The country park is centred on the former hunting lodge of the now demolished Hamilton Palace. The lodge was designed by William Adam and completed in 1734. It comprises two pavilions linked by a gateway. The north facade was visible from the palace and forms the front of the building. To the rear are formal gardens. The buildings provided kennels, stables and accommodation for hunting parties returning from the woodlands to the south. Adam jokingly referred to his creation as 'The Dog Kennel'. An avenue of lime trees linked the lodge and the palace, formerly located in Hamilton.

Following the death of the 14th Duke. The High and Low parks of Hamilton were given to the nation in lieu of death duties. Historic Scotland began renovating the lodge in the late 1970s, including the fine Georgian plasterwork, and a visitor centre was built to the rear. The lodge and park are now managed by South Lanarkshire Council.

The ruins of Cadzow Castle lie above the gorge of the Avon Water, which runs to the west of the lodge. The bulk of the park lies along the Avon gorge, with woodland walks and cycle routes. A herd of Cadzow cattle live in the fields overlooked by the hunting lodge. This apparently unique breed has white coats and long horns.

Route

Alison strikes a pose

click if you want to see it bigger.

Clyde Valley Falls

Patsy Cline apologises for not being with us but it was too early for her

Our first venture into the wonderful world of walking,Gillian masses her troops for an assault on the previously unconquered Clyde Valley Falls, fortified with cappuccino's and caramel shortcake our intrepid adventure began.Within minutes we faced our first hurdle getting Marion out of the Gift shop,using cunning and subterfuge we lead her out with the promise of a dog to wave at.

Route

Alfie,Sam.Linda,Bruce,Alison,June,Gillian and Abby

Photo by Neil click on it if you can bear to see it large.

Tuesday, 14 September 2010

Rambling Essentials

Our very good Friend Alvin Stardust joins us with some wise words

"Most Rambling/Hill Walking Clubs will tell you that it's essential to wear proper clothing, carry maps, compasses. etc. and have an idea of what your doing,
Las Ramblas however have as their main priorities"