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Back at the end of June I first visited Carsegowan.
I thought I'd posted my pictures from then.It looks like I was mistaken.I'll call it an age thing.So what I'll do on this post is include pictures from my June visit.
Since I was leading today's walk my mind wasn't on my camera and I never noticed a smudge on the lens.That'll be the reason for some hazy pictures then.So I'll also be using some of my fellow snapper Scoop's pictures as well.
The walk report will be after the imagery.
The Fishing Pond (Walk Start) back in June
Towards Wood Of Auchleand
Climbing White Hill (Scoop's Pics)
Climbing White Hill
White Hill and muddy descent (Scoop's Pics)
Auchleand Farm
View North West
Approaching Carsegowan
This video consists of photographs I took back in June
This video consists of photographs I took back in June
They show the wild flowers of the moss and woods
Billy the Honda Kid exploring the Magazine Roof
More pictures from Scoop
The big mushroom of the previous picture
Spot the young deer, I didn't !
June visit
More from June visit
Park Farm and views
Approaching the Clachan of Penninghame
Reading a headstone (Thanks Scoop)
Exploring the graveyard
And a final one from Scoop.
On the last leg
Wigtownshire Ramblers
Saturday the 10th of December 2011
A frosty but bright morning saw twenty walkers gather near the Mains of Penninghame for this new walk in the North Machars .
After setting off, a farm track south brought them to a forest road at the Wood of Auchleand.
A short distance along this road a muddy track was taken to ascend White Hill. After surmounting an awkward ditch and dyke the hill top was reached via a grassy field.
A short break was taken to enjoy the wide panoramic views across Wigtown Bay . Cairnsmore summit was obscured with low wintry clouds.
A gradual descent South East over wet and boggy fields brought them to a farm track. This may well have been the muddiest track in South West Scotland. Over the next half mile, great care was taken to limit how much mud stuck to boots and gaiters. Even the feeding cattle looked astonished to see these bipeds walking by.
After passing through Auchleand Farm a solid track was followed to reach the main Newton Stewart to Wigtown road. Three hundred yards north, Carsegowan Moss car park was reached via Fore Faulds.
Access to Carsegowan Moss is a path through the old ICI Explosives factory.
The group were intrigued as they passed by a large concrete structure and other buildings.
Arriving at Carsegowan Moss they learned that this raised moss is one of only a few left in Britain .
The surviving bog is blanketed by sphagnum mosses and heather amongst which lichens, bog asphodel, cranberry and sundews can be found. Due to the amount of rain recently the Moss was not explored, but viewed from the edge.
The walk leader also mentioned the RAF plane crash on the edge of the moss in 1942 which resulted in the death of all five crew, two of who are interred in Kirkinner graveyard.
Now they began a circular exploration of the Black Powder factory ruins. The works were in operation between 1940 and 1945.
The walk leader had a copy of Dennis Sawden's 'Carsegowan Moss Explosives Factory' and other information so they could identify the various structures.
The largest concrete structure they'd previously passed was identified as 'Incorporation Runner Mills' within which nitrate, sulphur and charcoal were mixed by rotating rollers set in a metal bowl.
Bunkers, Press Houses and Magazines were amongst other structures Identified.
A lunch break was taken amongst the range of buildings which included offices, the Home Guard station, ambulance and first aid buildings.
After lunch they left the fascination of this historic site and retraced their steps to Carsegowan Cottage.
A track alongside the old railway line took the group up to Bishopburn Bridge from where they followed the old road running parallel to the A714.
The A714 was crossed at Causeway End where the minor road north west was taken.
After passing Park Farm a short detour was taken to explore the old graveyard at the Clachan of Penninghame.
Graves, some dating up to 300 years old with familiar local names were viewed.
It was noted from certain headstones that in many cases there was continuity of ownership of farmland and property.
Back on the minor road they continued north to the T junction at Barwhirran Croft where a flooded depression in a field goes by the name of Foul Hole.
Half a mile west the Mains of Penninghame road was taken back to the walk start.
The general consensus was that with the exception of the mud it had been an enjoyable, dry and very interesting walk.
The next walk on Saturday the 17th of December is an 8 mile walk around the Mull of Galloway. At the end of the walk, traditional farmhouse refreshments will be served.
Meet for car sharing at the Breastworks, Stranraer 9.30am, Riverside , Newton Stewart 9.00am or the walk start at West Cairngaan Farm (NX 128 319) at 10am. For further details or if going to the start please phone walk leader 01776 840226. New members are always welcome
Another new area Jim.
ReplyDeleteThe older I get the more interest I seem to have in the past,old buildings and the like and how the
landscape looks the way it does.
Maybe that,s because the present keeps changing every couple of days though.Last week I seem to remember had a fence round my garden:)
bob.
You all always seem so happy!
ReplyDeleteIf you had not mentioned the smudge on the lens I would not have noticed. That was a wee bit gruesome the picture of the poor wee sheeps heed with the the horns.Suppose at the end of the day it is only nature.
ReplyDeleteCheers Bob, It's like going back in time around Carsegowan.I guess it's been windy with you as well.
ReplyDeleteWe always are happy Gillian.It's all the happy pills we take before each walk.
There was more than them two Gordon, I could have done a post on just sheep's skulls and horns.