Wigtownshire Ramblers-Stranraer to Portpatrick (Reverse SUW)

It's Saturday the 30th of January,and having survived the Lake District i'm heading out for todays walk.
A lift by the good folk of Newton Stewart sees us at the walk start at the Breastworks carpark in Stranraer.
The recently transported 'Willing Lad' is in the harbour being fitted out.
We're a group of 21 as we leave the town.That will increase to 25 as more walkers will join us just out of town.
It's a cool day,but nice and dry as we head over GallowHill.There's an equine presence by the farm.The others join us at Hillside Piggeries.
It's not too long before we leave the tarmac road and take to the track south of Knockquhassen Reservoir.Remember Slewtrain Hill on the other side?.
There are thirteen 'Kist's' along the length of the Southern Upland Way.This is one of them.They have been made by artists from the Borders and Dumfries & Galloway,and are in secret locations.We found this one easily enough.More info here
Waymerks
Throughout todays walk we were treated to many an aerial display.
We've no great heights to scale today,but we're soon at the highest point of todays walk.
Wind-Energy have eleven Vestas V80 turbines now in operation and supplying the National Grid.They certainly don't trouble the flocks of geese crossing over.
Now we're heading through 'Knock and Maize',and get our first view of the Killantringan Lighthouse.
Lunch is taken as we reach the coast, here, overlooking the 'House of Knock' and Knock Bay.
After lunch we head south with this view back to the lighthouse.I've probably mentioned this NLB link before.
Killantringan
I know i've mentioned the wreck of the "Craigantlet" before,but have never taken much notice of the shape of this rock.To me it looked like a bull in the ring just after the matador's plunged his sword in.Other walkers had different interpretations.
We're such a happy crowd,and when the weather's as good as this we're almost ecstatic.What do you mean,i'm going over the top?
Now we reach the steps and chains leading down to Lairds(Port Kale)Bay.On a previous visit here i'd taken a few pictures.I gave permission for them to be used here
Atlantic Cable
Fame eh !
Who's hiding ?
Now we round beautiful Port Mora,and take a short break back on the cliff top.
Coming into Portpatrick the Coastguards are on a training exercise.


I decided to make a little video.
The steps down from the hotel take us to the start of the Southern Upland Way.(Most walkers prefer to walk west to east on the trail to get the best advantage of the sun,hence the start on the west coast).
While some walkers just enjoyed the Portpatrick scenery...
...others were more thirsty.

Those who lived locally walked home,while,with only a few exceptions,the rest of us produced our bus passes for the run back to Stranraer.
A lovely nine mile hike today.