Wigtownshire Ramblers-Fell of Barhullion 7th March 2010

Although I was over in Antrim while this walk took place,I think it's a good idea to blog each walk if I can get the report.
The author of this weeks report is from the South Rhins,and is by far the most readable of those of us who write walks reports.Her detailed observations, and in particular the natural aspects of the walk, are always interesting, educational and a joy to read.

The pictures posted are from the last time we did this walk in October 2008.
2008 Walk

Ramblers’ report Saturday March 27th.

The picnic site at Back Bay in Monreith was the meeting point for eleven ramblers on Saturday. The sun was shining and there were numerous golfers at play when the road to the Gavin Maxwell monument was taken.

The sculpture by Penny Wheatley of an otter commemorates the local boy whose family estate was to be covered by the route of the day’s walk.

A cliff path took the walkers to the edge of the village and with a fresh wind behind the Clarksburn track was followed to Barhallion.

At the cairn, with the remains of the Iron Age hill fort in the foreground, there were splendid views to Wigtown Bay and the Mull of Galloway.


The open ground across the top, covered in gorse and rough grass was obviously a favourite place for roe deer which skittered away as the walkers crossed over to the ruined farm buildings on the north east slopes.

Drumfad farm road was followed to the Clachan of Myrton where a lovely green lane shaded by beech trees, and with wild garlic just coming into leaf along the margins, led to a field which was the chosen lunch stop – alongside Drumtrodden standing stones.

Two stones of these magnificent remains of a culture dating from two thousand years BC, stand three metres high, with a third lying prone between them.

The White Loch of Myrton lay along the next stretch of the walk, with views across the water to the old ruined Myrton castle, built about 1500, among the trees. It was here that James IV stayed whist travelling on a pilgrimage to Whithorn. The newer grand house, built in 1799 by Sir Herbert Maxwell who wrote Memories of the Months, was passed, and a spectacular sight of acres of skunk cabbage came into view. These amazing plants created a bright yellow vista as far as the eye could see. Herons were nesting in the trees and butterbur flowering along the path.

Sir Herbert Maxwell was a naturalist with special interest in forestry and in the midst of the next field was a grove of monkey puzzle trees, planted as part of his experiments to test their value for timber.

More standing stones near Blairbuie Farm were not studied closely, except by two big bulls grazing in the field. The large ‘Wren’s egg’ is a glacial erratic boulder. Following a farm track a fishing pond was passed using an old ingenious method of keeping algae down. Barriers filled with straw filter the water; and as the straw starts to decompose, the growth of algae is inhibited.

The burial place of the MacCullochs and Maxwells, both sometime owners of the estate, was visited next.

Kirkmaiden Church is situated right on the shore, a beautiful gem of a building with many old graves from 1700s. One of the most interesting is a memorial to Commander Thurot of the French navy who was drowned in 1760 in Luce Bay , after a sea battle between three French and three British ships.

Front Bay was reached by steps and the cars regained after a walk along the beach. This had been a walk full of interest, sunshine and good company.

A few days in Antrim

March 25th to 28th 2010.
No Wigtownshire Ramblers walk this weekend,I was over on the Causeway Coast in Antrim.
These are a few of the pictures I took.
Wall mural in Cushendall.

Lurig (Lurigethan) overlooking Cushendall.
Views from the top of Lurig on a damp evening.
Glenariff and the Meadows Bed and Breakfast.
One edge of Glacial Glenariff.
Tieverah (The Fairy Hill)

Tievebulliagh where Neolithic stone axes have been found.
The Round Tower at Armoy.
Sheep Island near Ballintoy.

Panorama of Carrick-A-Rede and Fair Head to Sheep Island on CleVR.com

Carrick-a-rede.
Carrick-a-rede rope bridge and Fair Head.
The rope bridge when it was a challenge...
...and after Health and Safety got hold of it.(You'd struggle to get that downward picture through the ropes now Marie !)
N.B It'll cost you £4.90 just to walk along the path to the bridge from the visitors centre,even if you don't cross it.


Larry Bane Bay.
Larry Bane Cave.
Shoreline vegetation.
Motorbike Club visit Ballintoy Harbour.
Ballintoy Village and Ballintoy House Bed and Breakfast.
Ballintoy Harbour.
Sheep Island Hostel,Ballintoy.
Whitepark Bay from the east.
Whitepark Bay from the west.(To get an idea of the perspective of the bay,spot the couple walking on the beach).
The ruins of Dunseverick Castle.

The following pictures are from a shoreline walk along Belfast Lough in the WhiteAbbey/Newton Abbey area.






The ferry home.

Wigtownshire Ramblers-The Merrick and the Buchan Ridge March 2010

Saturday the 20th of March 2010.
I can't explain why it's taken me so long since coming back to Scotland to climb the highest hill in South West Scotland.Today I'll be joined by thirteen fellow walkers.
I'm also doing the press report for this walk,so the paragraphs from that will be in italics.

Fourteen walkers gathered at Bruces Stone Car Park above Loch Trool for the walk to the summit of the Merrick,South West Scotlands highest peak.

Light cloud and occasional sunshine saw the group begin the walk by taking the traditional route alongside the Buchan Burn and it's magical waterfalls.They soon reached the sign with instructions to use the high path. This took them higher above the Buchan Burn.

They continued on through the woods at Stroquhan,where the first signs of spring were apparent by the appearance of new shoots coming through the forest floor.
Once out of the woods they now came within sight of the Culsharg Bothy.Although the windows and doors are gone the bothy looks in a reasonable condition,with it's roof still intact.

The pace up till now had suited me,but i remember from my snowy walk on Benyellery how steep the gradient would get.
We stop here for everybody to catch up.We'll soon get strung out again.The gradient increases on this path that follows the Whiteland Burn up through the trees.

After passing the bothy they crossed a forest road and began the long haul up Benyellery.The steep section following the course of the Whiteland Burn through the woods saw the more exuberant walkers forging ahead.Occasional stops had to be made to allow the more moderate climbers to catch up.


Out of the forest they continued following the well trodden path up the Braes of Mulgarvie,through a gate almost midway,and on to the drystane dyke.Lots of snow still lay in the deeper ruts and depressions.

By now the mast on Bennan was below them,and good all round views were enjoyed.

Reaching the dyke they then followed it to the summit of Benyellery where lunch was taken.
Benyellery Summit and I get my picture taken.Brilliant all round views.


Our Illustrious walk leader smiles for the camera,as Scoop takes pictures.

The dyke proved to be an effective windbreak.Although the weather changed slightly to become more overcast,spectacular views over the surrounding hills and lochs were still enjoyed.
A couple of pictures stitched together showing the broad bulk of the Merrick.

After lunch they now headed along the ridge known as the Neive of the Spit, while the Scars of Benyellery fell away to the right.

The easy going was soon replaced with tough climbing on reaching the Broads of the Merrick and the final push to the summit.Previously stripped off coats were again donned as the wind began to whip up.
A look back towards Benyellery in the above collage.
There's lots of stuff on the internet regarding the Galloway Hills,but I've recently discovered Andy Wallace's website at Andyfellwalker
He doesn't half get around the country.

Upon reaching the summit,cameras appeared as if from nowhere for photocalls.A number of group photos were also taken.
There were brilliant but slightly hazy views over the Rhins of Kells.

After enjoying the spectacular views the descent began.The clouds began to dissipate slightly.
The precipitous descent took them down the Rig of the Gloon and the Kirn Burn.A few minor slips and accidental sit downs brought lots of smiles,but no serious injuries.

Fantastic views of Lochs Enoch,Arron,Neldricken and Valley as well as the surrounding hills,brought them down to the rocky outcrop known as the Grey Man of the Merrick.

Loch Enoch in the top picture in the above collage has at least one sunken WW2 plane.
Registered on the 'The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland' website is an Armstrong Whitworth Whitley V.It was an RAF plane with a polish crew and went down on the 29 May 1941.
A Junkers 88 is also supposed to have crashed into the Loch,but very little information is available concerning that.No attempt has ever been made to recover the bodies.



The expressions on the stoney face of the Grey Man vary depending where he's viewed from.

As the group crossed over the fords to the Rig of Loch Enoch,he had a knowing smirk on his face.

Next they headed south along the Rig of Loch Enoch and onto the Buchan Ridge passing each of the aforementioned lochs in turn.
A look back at the Merrick.

The sun began to make an appearance again as the group enjoyed a short refreshment break at Craignine overlooking Loch Neldricken.The "Murder Hole" of Neldricken was discussed and apparently refers to an incident in Samuel Crockett's novel "The Raiders".
One walker claimed that the real murder hole was near Rowantree Bridge on the Water of Minnoch,and was where the bodies of murdered travellers were dumped.

Now they followed a very boggy path along the Buchan Ridge.Large precariously balanced boulders,remnants from the glacial age were dotted at irregular intervals.Two cairn topped peaks were reached before the final one on Buchan Hill.

Now,Loch Trool,Bruce's Stone and the cars came into view.Next came another steep precarious descent over Black Gairy,taking them down by the waterfalls to the Buchan Bridge.

Love this view of the Buchan.If you fancy a holiday here,then click.
Buchan

A last climb up the forest road brought them back to Bruce's Stone and the welcoming cars.

After my operation in 2009,my first walk back with the Ramblers was along the Buchan Ridge to Loch Enoch.
2009 Buchan Ridge to Loch Enoch
I'd forgotten how scenic it was.
I'd also forgotten the link I posted then to the excellent book by S.R.Crockett written in 1904 called Raiderland,so I'll publish it here again.
Raiderland

Today was long and tiring,but so very enjoyable.