Kintyre Way Ranger

2012-01-26T17:38:00.002Z

Wonderful picture above was the winner of the Kintyre Way PhotographicCompetition 2011 and taken by Bob Goodman of Campbeltown. He won a year’ssupply of Wiseman milk and an Olympus compact camera. The photo will feature in the 2013 calendar which is just being printed though we still have a few 2012 calendars if anyone is interested.

2012-01-24T14:16:00.000Z

We've set the date for the next big Kintyre Geocaching event-7th and 8th April. Now all I've got to do is hide the 25 or so geocache boxes, (like the one above) all over the Kintyre Way

2012-01-24T13:59:00.001Z

So far its been a wet and windy winter but sights like the double rainbow above make up for the grey days.

Kintyre T shirts go International

2012-01-19T17:35:00.000Z

After the winter break we are up and running again. Lots ofwind and rain over the last month so the path is a bit wet in places. A changefrom last year when everything was frozen solid! First thing I had to do when I got back towork is deal with a backlog of weborders. Calendars to Duluth in the USand T shirts and guide books to Nederweert in the Netherlands.Kintyre Way T shirts have now gone international!

2011-11-25T08:24:00.001Z

Its a dark and stormy day outside, heavy rain and strong winds. I wonder how much electricity the turbines are producing over at Deucheran. Looks like a good day to sit inside and get on with funding applications.

Geocaching

2011-08-30T15:22:00.003+01:00

Its been a busy summer with new sections of path being developed and all the usual summer jobs to do. Latest project is the setting up of a geocaching trail along the Kintyre Way. We are going to have our first geocaching event on the 10th of September at the Network Centre in Carradale from 10 until 4. Its aimed at beginners so we will have some GPS units to borrow and experts will be on hand to help out. If you've heard of geocaching and would like to try it come along. If you've never heard of it and would like to try an exciting high tech treasure hunt then this is the event for you!

Lussa Loch Route Diversion

2011-06-22T15:57:00.003+01:00

Just back from diverting the path down the East side of Lussa Loch. Euroforest are busy felling trees on the west side of the Loch. There's not a lot of room for walkers when the timber lorries are loading up hence the route going back onto the eastern side. Euroforest are still removing timber there as well but there is a little more room to pass.

Good News at Ballygroggan

2011-04-07T09:40:00.003+01:00

After a great deal of hard work Malcolm has repaired the washed out bridge between Ballygroggan and Largiebaan so no more jumping across the stream!

2011-03-18T10:34:00.001Z

Yesterday the sun shone on us and we managed to install the new bridge at Killean so next time the rain falls and the tide is high walkers will be able to cross without wading across the stream

Spring reaches Kintyre

2011-03-01T13:49:00.001Z

I spotted this amorous pair near Clachan. A definite sign of Spring!

Path Damage at Ballygroggan

2011-02-21T12:06:00.004Z

On Sunday I took a walk out to Ballygroggan to see the path damage at (NR 61987 18397). The winter storms have washed out the two big pipes that used to be there. It is possible to jump the stream if the water is low enough but if the stream is too high there is quite a pleasant two mile detour via Craigaig township.

Kintyre Way Roadshow hits Glasgow

2010-12-13T11:59:00.004Z

An interesting weekend down in Glasgow at the Great Outdoors shop in Clydebank. Hi to all of you who stopped by and thanks to John and the team for making me welcome.

The Paps in Winter

2010-12-09T11:52:00.000Z

The Paps of Jura were looking spectacular today. Shame I missed the 500 geese that flew past just before I stopped to take this photo.

Wintery Kintyre

2010-12-06T11:27:00.004Z

Scenery has been breathtaking over the last few weeks. Shame the roads have been so icy that nobody can get about! Took advantage of a slight thaw to get out and walk a section of the path where I found this hardy three year old enjoying the snow.

Ranger Van finally arrives

2010-11-27T12:53:00.002Z

After a long wait I finally picked up the new Kintyre Way van yesterday. Downside is I won't be able to hide in laybyes anymore!

New Path in Clachan Wood

2010-11-01T10:54:00.003Z

The path down through Clachan Wood has been getting muddier and muddier as more people walk the route. The paths team have been busy over the last week building a new path which will make the final descent into Clachan a lot easier for tired walkers. Thanks guys!

Autumns Here

2010-10-14T09:03:00.004+01:00

Kintyre has been basking in Autumn sunshine for the last week and I've taken the opportunity to get out and walk some of the path. It always surprises me that so few people walk the route at this time of year. The autumn colours are spectacular and there are no midgies. The four people I met walking the route on Monday certainly seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Largiebaan waymarking

2010-09-23T15:38:00.002+01:00

During September a team of 11 volunteers struggled through gale force winds to put in new waymarks along the Ballygroggan to Largiebaan coastal section of path. That should make life a bit easier for those poor souls who try walking the coast section in the rain.

Autumns Here

2010-09-07T08:19:00.002+01:00

A windy wet day in Kintyre. Bad news is that walkers are unlikely to need their sun tan cream. Good news is that the midgies shouldn't be a problem.

Improved Path at Amod

2010-08-03T16:48:00.002+01:00

Finally managed to improve the path at Amod. Instead of the path leading walkers into a bog it now curves across the hill on much drier ground. That should make life a bit more pleasant as the rains return.

Path diversion at Lussa Loch

2010-07-01T13:33:00.000+01:00

Path Diversion at Lussa Loch

As of today, 30th June, the Kintyre Way has been diverted down the east side of Lussa Loch to allow forestry works to take place. The diversion starts at Bord a Dubh (NR724 314) and joins the Peninver spur at NR 712 282. From there it is a short walk to the main waymarked route down to Campbeltown. There are diversion signs in place and the new route is waymarked.

Sunny Day off Carradale

2010-06-02T15:41:00.002+01:00

I was out checking waymarks south of Carradale and came across this amazing looking Barque anchored off Torrisdale beach. A little later the Waverly went steaming past heading towards Ailsa Craig.

New Track between Tarbert and Skipness

2010-02-13T16:30:00.003Z

Took the electric mountain bike up the forest track today to check on the new track being built by the Forestry. Bike battery didn't like the cold and I was a bit surprised it kept working all day. New track is a bit muddy and the turn off onto the Kintyre Way isn't as obvious as it could be. Its just to the left of the bike in the photo. I put up a couple of Kintyre Way arrows which should help a bit. Met 10 people out walking, looks like spring is on the way.

2010-02-12T17:19:00.003Z

Just been down to Tarbert to see how the work is progressing at the beginning of the route. Hopefuly the pile of stones will start to take shape and it will look a bit better by the start of the walking season.