Just as the Amelanchier Trees (actually bushes since I prune them that way) start to bud, a certain small bird species comes calling. Rather than make it too easy for you, I’ve posted photographs of the female today and I’ll post the male tomorrow.

All right, a flight of fancy on my part!

The first photograph is of Stair Church in Ayrshire, built in 1864. There is an Inn (Stair Inn funnily enough) close by and a few houses – Stair is considered as a hamlet.

Just after leaving Stair, I hurriedly stopped the car to take this photograph. I had intended to take the other half as well (it was a complete semicircle when I first saw it), but that bit had faded before I got the chance. This bit went very quickly as well.

Today’s photographs are of Enterkine – originally built as a private residence in the 1930s (younger than many of the buildings I’ve shown), but now converted in a Country House Hotel. If you check their website you’ll find that prices are there, but not immediately noticeable – if you need to ask the price you probably can’t afford it! They do have a good reputation.

This photograph is of the face of the building which has magnificent views over the Ayrshire Countryside.

This I think is the woodland lodge.

This photograph is of the entrance to the hotel.

One of the flowering bushes in the garden.

The view over the Ayrshire countryside from the dining room.

This is the permanent marquee where weddings and other events can be held.

These photographs are from the site of the long-closed Barony Colliery, where many of the men from Auchinleck used to work.

There is still a high level of resentment in the mining communities over the enforced closures, witnessed by the mock gravestone erected of the site.

The site has been turned into an open-air museum with a number of explanation boards. This one gives a clue to the size of the site when it was working.

This is the A-Frame winding gear from the Barony Pit-head. It is massive.

Pictures today from Auchinleck in Ayrshire, another mining town which had the heart knocked out of it by the closure of pits. From what I’ve been told, the Community is starting to re-establish itself strongly.

I remember this town from way back. Where the Tesco store now is, was, if I’m not mistaken, the site of the Lemonade Factory of Curries of Auchinleck and Hamilton. My older brother used to drive one of the Hamilton depot based delivery lorries and I’d occasionally accompany him. Sometimes we’d go over to Auchinleck if a particular brand of ‘fizzy’ was running short in Hamilton.

The first photograph if of the main cross-road.

The second is of the Church of Scotland Parish Church.

The third is of a small set of Pithead winding gear.

Whilst walking in Rozelle Estate, we suddenly came upon this blaze of colour. Yep, Spring is on the way!

Fairlie Castle is situated on the edge of Fairlie Glen, a small wooded valley with the Fairlie Burn running through it.

I’m quite pleased with the framing of the first photograph.

The second photograph is out-of-focus, but is of the Fairlie Waterfall. I was having a bit of a problem keeping my balance when taking this shot – well that’s my excuse anyway.

I took the final two photographs as I like the light/shade effects.

Just above the Castle, there was a herd of Highland Cattle grazing on the round ground with yellow gorse bushes behind.

In the 13th century the land of Fairlie was held by the de Ros (or Ross) family of Tarbert and one of the sons built Fairlie Castle and adopted the name Fairlie. The family continued to live in the Castle until the 17th century, but by the end of the 19th century it was in ruins.

Two rivers flow into the Park – Craufurdland Water and Fenwick Water – and only one river flows out – Kilmarnock Water.

The first two photographs are of Fenwick Water and are upstream of the confluence.

The third photograph is of Kilmarnock Water, downstream of the confluence.