Arclowdun Traditional Cache
The Aljos: Time to shut down
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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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.
Park at the large layby on the A71 at the east side of Loudoun Gowf Club.
Enter the 'Big Wood' from the lay-by and follow the path that skirts Loudoun Gowf Club for the first 200 mtrs. This is the only golf course in the world that uses the old Scottish word 'gowf' in its title. The Hag burn meanders its way through this stretch of deciduous woodland and the rough track bridges the burn several times. In springtime, the woodland has a carpet of bluebells and wild garlic. You will find the track turning sharply left and uphill after approximately 800 mtrs but at this point you should continue straight ahead on the much narrower trail. About 60 metres ahead is a RH bend onto a bridge where (before crossing) a trail to the left leads into the trees for a few metres to some old lime kilns. The kilns were in use up until the early part of the 20th century. Return to the trail, cross the bridge and follow the track uphill for about 100 metres until you find any suitable point that provides easy access into the woodland on the right. From this point head south through the woods towards the GZ. En-route you might come across recent excavations made by some enthusiastic amateur archaeologists. About 30 mtrs from the cache there is a deep wide ditch below a hill. This is the ‘motte and bailey’ of Arclowdun Castle, reputed to be the ancestral home of William Wallace’s mother Lady Margaret de Lambinus Craufuird. If choosing to go to the top of the bailey, please take care, as it can be slippy and there are some steep drops.
This site is perhaps worthy of a visit from the Channel 4 Time Team.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ernq gur qrfpevcgvba sbe gur rnfvrfg ebhgr.
Haqre n snyyra gerr pybfr gb gur srapr naq oruvaq zbff pbirerq ebpxf