Wigtownshire Ramblers-Kirroughtree Circular September 2009

It's Saturday the 12th of September 2009.
Todays walk is one we should have done back in October 2008.
I blogged that even though we never walked.It can be found at
Walk Cancelled

N.B.
I'm cheating again today.
I've simply copied and pasted the walk report i've done for the local press.
It means i can get out quicker to enjoy this good spell of weather.

Wigtownshire Ramblers Saturday the 12th of September 2009.

A clear sunny morning saw 17 walkers (including one brave rambler who'd been on the summit of Cairnsmore at midnight) gathered at Kirroughtree visitors centre for the start of the walk.



This first part of the walk took them passed a tumbling waterfall and on through the forest to the anniversary cairn.This cairn was erected in 1997 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the creation of the Galloway Forest Park.The cairn contains about 80 time capsules provided by community groups and local organisations.


They continued north through the forest following much of the popular Papy Ha trail,while keeping a wary eye open for mountain bikes.
Lichens, moss and a wide variety of fungi were a predominant feature of the narrower paths that see little of the sun.



When the group reached the tarmac road that runs up Bargaly Glen they followed this for 500 metres before descending to the forest track running alongside the Palnure.



This stretch is well known as one of the best places in South West Scotland for trout and salmon fishing,and a short break was taken to enjoy the tumbling waterfall,and to read the poem 'Quick Water' on a nearby plaque.


They then continued up past Dallash where Belted Galloways were seen close up.

On then to Corwar and over the footbridges where a stop was made for lunch.




Horses and foals grazed unconcerned in neighbouring fields.

After lunch the walkers headed south across grassy fields,still following the Palnure but now on the opposite side of the burn.
After crossing the Louran Burn a wide berth was taken to avoid a herd of cattle and their young.
Beau the bull(on the left in the main picture)kept a beady eye on the walkers until they were well out of the way.



Now back on forest track they reached a memorial stone to a forest worker...
...Here also the adit and shaft of the old lead mine were searched for and found.



They continued on through to Bargaly farm.To the delight of the walkers,a young foal was being kept as a pet in the garden.
The Palnure was still tumbling along beautifully as the group crossed
Bargaly bridge.


At Craignine they then crossed the track through to Little Park farm and Little Park woods back to the visitors centre...
...where a welcome coffee was thoroughly enjoyed.
A very enjoyable walk,much of it down to the good spell of weather we're having.