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DARVEL HISTORICAL Multi-Cache

This cache has been archived.

The Aljos: This cache had almost reached its tenth anniversary but we are sad to report that it is now missing. Replacing it would be a pointless exercise so it has now been archived.

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Hidden : 9/24/2009
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:

This is one of a series of caches created for the purpose of introducing geocachers to the rich history, the extensive path network and the general scenic beauty of the Irvine Valley. The coordinates provided relate ONLY to the start point at the car park in Ranoldcoup Rd. There is an Irvine Valley Path Network Information board in this car park. You will need paper and pencil.

The cache can be found at N 55 36.ABC W 004 16.DEF and it will take less than 30 minutes to walk round the town and gather the necessary figures that substitute the letters A,B,C,D,E and F.

The first place of historical interest is actually at the car park where you will see a small garden with three sandstone pillars supporting two gates. These are the original Darvel toll gates that were sited at the junction of West Main St. and Ranoldcoup Rd. and were later removed when county councils were formed.

What is the earliest date on the plaque? = G H I J.

From this point, head north back to Main St and immediately turn left into Hastings Square where you will find a large standing stone with a round ball shaped rock on top. This is the 'Dagon Stone' and dates back to neolithic times. At the west end of the square is the ‘Sir Alexander Fleming’ memorial garden. Fleming was born at Lochfield farm just a couple of miles to the north of Darvel. His discovery of the life saving antibiotic penicillin was an achievement that not only won him the Nobel Prize for medicine but also a knighthood. He died in 1955 and his ashes were buried in St Pauls Cathedral London.

What was his birth date? = K L M N.

Now cross over Main street and head west for 200 mtrs to Burn Rd.. On a lawn in front of the ‘Telephone Museum’ is a small memorial cairn to the 1st SAS regiment commanded by ‘Col Paddy Mayne’ which in 1944 was stationed in Darvel during WW2.

What date in October was this memorial unveiled? = O P.

The final set of coordinates can be derived from the following and should lead you to a point about 2 metres from the cache.

A = (J - O), B = (H - P), C = G, D = (J - K), E = M, F = (I - O)

FTF goes to SCOTSBOB............well done

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Ba gur onax orgjrra n urqtr naq guerr ynetr pbavsref

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)