It was a fine day if a little windy yesterday and my parents were up visiting from Cumnock. They were really only up to see my daughter, I'm second best, probably actually third behind my wife. They brought the dog with them, Breagh an Irish springer spaniel. They wanted to go out somewhere with the buggy and also somewhere they can take the dog. We've now, in the last 9 months or so exhausted all of East Kilbride's parks and walks that are suitable for both the dog and the buggy. Having enjoyed myself so much the last time at the windfarm, I made the suggestion. However I did prefix it with a warning, once we're out on the moss there's just the walking and the views. My mum asked can we get a coffee near by and I told her about the cafe in the visitors centre. That settled it, we were off. Somewhere to get a coffee seems to be the clincher for my parents these days.

We arrived and got parked. It was really busy, the car park was almost full. Visitors ranging from families, casual walkers, Mountain bikers and dog walkers were all about. After that we headed over to the visitor centre and my Mum got the coffees in while Dad and I fed Rowan.

I was much better organised this time and we took the Lochgoil curcuit as recommended by Phil Turner, @PhilOutdoors. It was a cracking walk and we took it at an easy pace. I'm going to have to go back again, as about half round, near the control centre there's a monument in the middle of the field but I didn't want to enter the field as it was full of sheep. Never a good idea regardless of how well your dog is trained. I'm thinking its probably a covenanter memorial. There's plenty of them dotted alround this area and I've visited a few. I'd be very surprised if it's not. I'll need to get up close to know for sure.

I really need to get myself a decent camera. My photographs really are not doing the views and justice what so ever.

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the walk and the dog got a good run out. Two new converts to the wonders of the Windfarm. 

Spent the afternoon up at the Whitelee Windfarm (UPDATE: you can also follow them on Twitter at Visit_Whitelee) with my 8 month old daughter, she was in her buggy, I was on foot. I really do wish I had a better camera as the few photographs I took don't do the place justice. We had such a great day out and would thoroughly recommend it, especially if you like being in the outdoors, either walking, cycling or even running. There's over 90km of well marked hard packed gravel trails that I had no problem pushing our super duper all terrain buggy over. I would recommend that if you are pushing one that it does have suspension and inflatable tires, if only for the comfort of your son or daughter.

We took a short option of about 6km as time was a bit short and there was a feeding to be had for my daughter, she is a growing baby after all and these things can take time in the outdoors. Too much going on. However the walk was a good one plenty of wildlife and views to be had. We had a couple of wagtails fly past, well I think it was, I'm no ornithologist. We also saw a Kestrel hovering among other things. All in all a great walk in the fresh air. Great access to the high moors & mosses that you just don't normally get.

The photographs taken with my iPhone make it look like a very dull and overcast day but it really wasn't that bad, yes it was pretty bright and the clouds were well above 3000ft, so much so that the vast majority of Ayrshire was laid bare to the south and offered great views all the way to the Ailsa Craig and the Kintyre Pennisula as well as Arran. I would wager on a really fine and clear day you may even be able to see the Merrick away down in the Galloway Forrest.

It's a bit disconcerting the first time you stand next one of the big turbines. They are massive and strangely quiet for the size and speed that they are spinning at. I can imagine that they could give some people the fear. Yep they are that big.

There's excellent car parking and a brilliant visitor centre with toilets and showers should you need one. They also have a cafe should you want a feed as well as an excellent exhibition space explaining everything that goes on there and the wildlife you can expect to see. For the less active you can take a bus round, that stops at some of the great view points. If you get a chance and it's a dry day, give it a go you maybe surprised. Oh and it's free, no charge.

If there's any questions then leave me comment and I'll try my best to answer it.