Last peek at dunrod hill

One last snap before we walked home for a late tea. You should just be able to see the trig marker if you squint. The sun sets directly over the summit where I popped the question. We are swithering over plans for the weekend to try and wrap up the summer holidays on a high with a camping trip somewhere. The forecast for Saturday looks iffy. Sunday is better though. Will keep you posted...Stephen.

Dunrod hill at sunset

Dougs and myself made our way home but not before we snapped this shot of dunrod hill. The highest point on the horizon is where I proposed to Diane.

Side view of causeway

Again the causeway sticks out a mile in the foreground. Can you see horses and carts going along that nearly two hundred years back in your minds eye?

The hidden causeway

Every ten years or so the water level of loch thom drops enough for you to see a few things which are normally hidden by the water. The loch was completed in 1827 but the capacity was increased some time after that. The roads and causeways used to ferry workmen and materials around this construction site were lost beneath the peat stained water when the water levels were raised. You can see one of these old causeways here. It's interesting to note that these features are now showing more frequently in the summer. Is this another sign that global warming is kicking in? The population of the town is falling so surely water consumption is dropping, even if we do have more dishwashers in the town than before. Maybe it's the ever increasing size of water pistols thats to blame for this loss of water. Water pistols in the 80's were palm sized. Now they are rambo sized super soakers :-)

The derelict farmhouse

The estate agents description for this place would read ..'property with great development potential suitable for the aspirant diy enthusiast'. I dont know why this place was abandoned. Obviously it's a wreck now. It would be a great wee location for someone looking for a quiet retreat with great views across loch thom. Think Jack Nicolson and 'the shining'. It would be a total rebuild job though. Passed this on the way home.

South summit of creuch hill

The creuch ruins from the actual summit marker and trig point of creuch hill.

More summit photos

On a good day there are nice views across the river. Loch thom can be seen as well. I took these pictures next to the actual trig marker. It's an ugly wreck of a thing, a few mangled blocks of concrete with a rusty iron post leaning out the jumble. I didn't publish a photo of it. No wonder Craig and myself overlooked it last time we came up here. At least the mystery was solved.