Note from Harry -
I see that Jim gives us the option of car to Rhubodach and catching the 8:10 ferry. I intend to do this and I think car sharing would be a good option. The reasons are:
• an extra half hour in bed;
• less time waiting at Colintraive;
• more flexibility on the return journey.
With this in mind I will be at the West Kirk car park at 7:45 and can offer a lift from there or pick up members along the way. Anyone who wants a lift should text me on 07801 946643.
This Tuesday’s walk is essentially the part of the Cowal Pilgrim Way that goes from Kilmodan Church to the ruins of Fearnoch Chapel, finishing at the Colintraive Hotel. The map, a travelogue, and the route described by pre-2021 photographs can be found on the Faith-in-Cowal website (www.faithincowal.org/walking-guides/kllmodan-to-fearnoch/), but we are omitting the Springfield to Fearnoch stage (our own old Sparrowhawk Hill walk) as it has become impassable because of massive clear felling of the land that the Pilgrim Way goes through by foreign lumbering interests, and there are no warning or diversion signs. (I’m told this matter is currently being looked into by Ramblers Scotland, the Argyll & Bute Local Access Officer and the Scottish Forestry Minister, but it has already cost me the loss of a useful shepherd’s crook, trying to get out of the tree-stumps.)
Our walk starts at the Rhubodach ferry terminal. Walkers should either catch the 7:15 am bus from Guilford Square to connect with the 7:40 am ferry to Colintraive, or arrange to drive up to catch the 8:10 am ferry. We then take the 8:23 am bus to the Clachan of Glendaruel, getting there by 8:55 am. The first item on the agenda is Kilmodan Church and its Mediaeval Carved Stones. We then take the old Glendaruel Road north, paralleling the main road (A866), to the start of the Modan’s Well ascent. This is mainly a turfed track climbing diagonally up the Cruach nam Mult, with panoramic views over the south end of the Glendaruel Valley. En route to Moden’s Well, found by a 6th century Christian missionary, note the ancient stone wayside seat! The trail continues towards the summit passing a chambered cairn and various archaeological sites, some still being worked on. The higher section of this ascent deteriorates into a scrub track before it feeds onto a forestry road which climbs a little and then descends towards the Dunoon Road (B836). The track crosses (an Oxford turn) the B836 near Stronafian and then feeds through to the remnant section of the old Colintraive Road. We follow it till we very briefly join the A866 before taking a farm road past loch-side Ardachuple Farm and leading back to the A866 at Springfield. From there we go a hundred yards and turn off to the right onto the Colintraive coastal road (B866). Fearnoch Chapel can still be reached by a half mile diversion round the side of the Cnoc an Reithe hill, about 2/3 of the way along the B886, but this is optional. At the end of the B866, we head to the Colintraive Hotel for a well-earned tea, coffee or pint! The return ferry to Bute to catch a bus to Rothesay is at 5 or 6:30 pm, but be sure to be first off the boat regardless of Calmac staff assurances. The mileage reduces to about 9 mi, given the loss of the Springfield to Fearnoch track, taking maybe 5 hours from the Kilmodan start. Please dress for the conditions, bring something to eat and drink, and don’t forget your ICE (in case of emergency) details. If it’s your first time out with us, please contact the leader, Jim, on 07502475922.