Group Leader Barrie Southwood - 07766 755836 Group Leader Amy Kinnaird - 01290 700606 Location Refer to leaders or information below Timings Refer to leaders or information below Season January to November
Click HERE to view The Blue Bonnet Trail from Tamfest 2020, narrated by Jane McCarry
Click HERE to watch a YouTube video by Ronald Rae with five of his biblical sculptures that he carved over 30 years ago.
This group walks on the last Saturday of each month from January to November. The meeting place is the start of the walk or, where travel is by train, at the Railway Station. Transport using the Community Minibus is provided for some of the walks. Emails are circulated approximately five days prior to the walk and again the evening before if the walk has to be cancelled.
The walks are normally between three to five miles and are considered “easy” and the pace is slow. Boots are recommended for all walks, especially in winter but are not always necessary for walks on good surfaces. In winter, warm and waterproof clothing is required. In summer, protection from the sun is recommended. Plenty of water should be carried at all times and this group always goes in somewhere for lunch after the walk.
The walks have now finished for 2025. The next walk will be on January 31st 2026.
Barrie
07766 755836
The Saturday walk yesterday (26th July 2025) was at Dumfries House. The weather was cloudy but warm. 14 members enjoyed walking on a variety of paths in the grounds of Dumfries House.
The Saturday group’s walk in Troon on 26th April. It was a murky, grey day so not many photos. Sixteen members were there and we ate afterwards in the Golf Club dining area.
On Saturday 2nd November, 16 group members met in the car park at Maidens, for a shorter walk than usual. We walked by road to Culzean Estate and returned by walking along the beach.
The walk over, we made out way to Kirkoswald for a prebooked lunch at Souters Restaurant. On arrival we were joined by four more of our members. A relaxing time, and a beautiful lunch were enjoyed by all.
Many thanks to our Group Leader, Barrie, for arranging not just this walk, but also the many others that we have enjoyed throughout 2024. This was our last 2024 walk – the next time we walk as a group will be in January 2025.
On Saturday 28th September, 11 group members met in the carpark at Thornhill Community Centre. We enjoyed a circular walk to the north side of the community. The walk was followed by lunch in Thornhill.
Barrie Southwood
07766 755836
On Saturday 27th July, 12 members of our group travelled by train/bus and met at Glasgow Central Station. Following a trip, on the underground from St Enoch’s to Kelvinbridge, we walked, via the Kelvin Way, to the canal locks at Maryhill. On our return, we varied the route back and ended at the Botanic Gardens where we had our lunch. Lunch over, we took the underground from Hillhead back into Glasgow to allow us to make out return journeys back home.
On Saturday 1st June, 14 members of the Walking Group met at the car park next to the Police station in Sanquhar. The first part of our walk took us to the Bridge over the River Nith. From there we took a circular route which took us through the Euchan Glen and back to the bridge.
Following our return to the car park we enjoyed lunch in A’ the Airts Café. The weather, on the first day of meteorological summer, was absolutely glorious. A great day out was had by all who came along.
On Saturday 27th April 14 members of the group met at the Beach Drive Car Park in Irvine. Our walk took us from the car park via the river mouth to the beach. We walked in the direction of Troon, then across the sand dunes to the pathway beside Marine Drive, and back into Irvine. We passed by the Maritime Museum on our way to the Fullarton Connexions Café where we ended our walk and had lunch.
On Saturday 31st March 17 Walking Group members met at the Threave Gardens car park, some having travelled by minibus and others by car.
Our walk took us from the Threave Gardens to the Threave Nature Reserve, and a walk along the river past Threave Castle. We were able to see the Osprey’s nest with the female osprey quite prominently sitting there. A circular route took us back to the Nature Reserve Centre from where we returned to Threave Gardens. We the had the opportunity of having something to eat in the restaurant, and visit the gardens, before returning home. We all agreed that we had ad a most enjoyable walk and day out.
On Saturday 2nd March, 18 group members assembled in the Ochiltree Hub car park.
We enjoyed walking along riverside paths in and around Ochiltree.
Following the walk we had an enjoyable snack in the Ochiltree Hub before returning home.
On Saturday 27th January the group held its first walk of 2024. 12 members of the group met at the car par in Rozelle Park. Our walk took us via Rozelle Park and Alloway Village to the Brig ‘o Doon. We then walked via Cambusdoon to Bellisle park. Following a stop in the walled garden we enjoyed lunch in the Stables Restaurant, from where we returned to Rozelle Park car park. We enjoyed a very pleasant walk.
17 members of the walking group travelled by car to Maidens. Our walk took us from Maidens by the seafront into Culzean Country Park where we walked via estate roads, the Swan Pond, and woodland paths. Following our return to Maidens we had lunch in the Ropes Café Restaurant at the harbour.
On Saturday 30th September 19 group members travelled by road to Rouken Glen Park, on the south side of Glasgow, where they enjoyed a walk using various pathways in the park. The autumn colours were amazing.
On Saturday 26th August 18 members of the group travelled bus minibus and car to Newton Stewart. We had a most enjoyable circular walk from Newton Stewart via Minigaff into the countryside, and back to Newton Stewart, following a route listed in the “Newton Stewart Walks” guide book (Walk 7). In spite of the weather that had been forecast, the weather was extremely kind to us. Following the walk we had lunch locally in Newton Stewart.
Saturday 22nd July, 13 group members travelled by train to Girvan for a walk which took us from the railway station, past the hospital towards Girvan Mains farm. From there we walked via the golf course towards the clubhouse, then round by the north side of the harbour to the town. We went by the south side of the harbour to the promenade, then walked the length of the prom to the large carpark at the south end of Girvan. On our return from there, most of us stopped for lunch in one of the restaurant/pubs at the south end of Girvan. Lunch over, we made our way back to the railway station for our train back to Ayr.
In spite of the poor weather forecast we experienced no worse than the occasional drizzle of rain.
Saturday 24th June, 17 members of OiR’s Saturday Walking Group travelled to Lanark and had an enjoyable walk in the Lanark Loch area of the town. Although the weather has been so sunny and warm recently, there was a lot of cloud cover on Saturday. However, we had a good day, and had something to eat afterwards in The Inn on the Loch, Lanark, where we sat at tables outside on a balcony area.
Many thanks to Barrie for his organisation. The photo of Tinto Hill is attached as it is a popular hill-walk near Lanark——–that is no longer an aspiration for us now. Amy
Saturday 27th May, 13 members travelled by train to Largs. We had a circular walk which took us through part of the town, via Douglas Park, to the Pencil Monument. We then returned to the pier along the path following the shoreline. Most of us remained in Largs, taking the opportunity to have something to eat, before catching a train back home.
Saturday 29th April 2023 – 18 group members travelled by minibus and car to Dumfries. Our circular walk took us along the River Nith path, then into the Crichton Estate, and back to our starting point. There was an opportunity to have lunch, afterwards, in one of the local cafes/restaurants. We had another most enjoyable day out.
Saturday 25th March 2023 – 17 group members met in the Burrell Collection car park. Following walking on several of the Pollok Estate paths, we had time to visit Pollok House and/or the Burrell Collection.
OiR Ayr 