Duncanrig Rambling Club left East Kilbride for 2 walks in the Girvan area with the prospect of a rainy day and in the certain knowledge that, for the main walk, the terrain, infrequently visited by walkers, was going to present them with one of their most challenging walks. The main walk was an eight and a half-mile walk from Colmonell while the alternative was a six and a half-mile from Turnberry, both routes ending at Girvan. The unexpectedly strong southerly wind blew into the faces of the alternative walkers as they made their way south along the sand and rocks of the Ayrshire coast, crossing numerous swollen burns on the way, before they left the beach to pass Girvan Mains farm and take the quiet road past the golf course for a final leisurely stroll along the prom to the the carpark at the south end of the town. The pace on the shore had to be speedy to avoid problems with a spring tide and they arrived in Girvan with plenty of time to enjoy before the arrival of their compatriots. The same wind carried a mild but damp airstream which shrouded the tops of the hills in low cloud for most of the day and accompanied the main walkers as they began the steep climb on the shoulder of Clauchanton Hill on a stretch of the Stinchar Valley Trails. En route they encountered a massive boulder, perhaps volcanic or an erratic from the glacial period, which gave an excuse to pause and draw breath. Before circumnavigating Knockormal Hill the first of a number of awkward dry-stane dykes and fences had to be climbed adding to the challenge. The short-lived luxury of a land rover track past the farm led to the next tussocky and rather muddy section round a field of ripe barley passing a lovely wee loch fringed with bulrushes to a lunch stop when the promised rain made its appearance. Despite the tiring underfoot conditions the naturalists still managed to identify flowering plants such as tormentil, bright eye and scabious. A short stretch of road-walking near Cundry Mains farm, passing a monkey puzzle tree at the roadside, saw the walkers harvesting the first crop of ripe blackberries from the hedgerows before they took to the lower slopes towards Grey Hill. The raindrops from the intermittent showers began to feel like stinging hail as the height gained exposed the hikers to the full force of the frighteningly powerful wind which at its strongest blew a few off their feet and forced a number to lie down temporarily before linking arms to make safe progress. The group sensibly had to alter the route to take to the lee of Fell Hill and Cairn Hill for the last couple of miles where the sun finally put in an appearance shining on the choppy sea and the arc of Girvan beach as they approached Byne Hill to head down onto a decent track to the waiting coach at a local farm shop where the farmer kindly offered a quick hosing of the muddy boots, much to the appreciation of the weary walkers. The traditional social hour in Girvan let the 2 parties trade tales before their lateish return to East Kilbride.