Wigtownshire Ramblers Auchencrosh Ballantrae Circular July 2014

Saturday the 26th of July

After a bad night's sleep and still feeling below par, I decided not to go on this walk.

It turned into a good ten miler, and though chances are I'd have finished the walk, I'd have still been recovering from it now.

But the good news is I'm definitely on the mend. 

I managed a fair walk yesterday (Sunday, I even broke into a run !) and today I managed to cut my hedge with no after effects. I'll be out walking quite a bit this week.

My doctor thinks I may have had one of those unexplained viral infections or even the Epstein Barr virus.

It looks as thought a good walk was had however. Shame the rain spoiled the conclusion.

The photographs are courtesy of Miss Goodnight, Scoop and Shorty, the report was written by Shorty.

Here are the pictures, apologies if they're not in order.

G.I Joe led the walk. 

Wigtownshire Ramblers – Saturday 26 July 2014 – Auchencrosh to Ballantrae Circular

After the recent hot weather the grey skies and gentle breeze gave more reasonable temperatures which made a welcome start for the 27 ramblers who assembled at the Auchencrosh crossroads on the A77 north of Glenapp.  After a cheerful briefing from our leader we set off across the A77 and along the county road towards Kilantringan and the coast.  The tarmac soon gave way to stone as we followed the track past High Ballochdowan, admiring the cattle and calves in the adjacent fields and amused by the young pheasants which scuttled ahead of us as we walked.

On reaching the junction with the Ayrshire Coastal Path we turned north along the Path towards Ballantrae.  The track took us downwards above the Shallochwreck Burn in a bracken and bramble clad valley which lead down to the sea.  It was reminiscent of the Devonshire coombes found below Exmoor, the effect enhanced by the higher temperatures as we were sheltered from the breeze.  Once on the shingly shore at Currarie Port we found a new track, probably constructed for the Ireland electricity interconnector.  Unfortunately, the winter storms had washed much of the fill over the large culverts on the Ballochdowan Burn.  A little scrambling got us across and we climbed up the hill and through the freshly cut bracken around Donald Bowie hill and onto a path above the cliffs.  There were fine views over the calm sea with Corsewall lighthouse and the ferries visible to the south and Ailsa Craig just appearing through the murk.

We followed the cliffs with the many small inlets as far as Wilson’s Glen where we stopped for lunch sitting on the rocks above the burn in the weak sunshine.  The burn in the valley was no more than a trickle after the recent dry weather.  After refreshment we continued northwards along the cliffs and around Downan Hill. We then turned inland and joined the tarmac road heading towards Ballantrae.  The sky was now becoming threatening with a bank of dark cloud to the west.  As we followed the road we had fine views of Ballantrae and Knockdolian Hill – one of our favourite walks.

We continued along the road and then turned back past the cemetery and then took the path up the glen of the Kilphin burn.  The first section through a young plantation was almost overgrown with the ground surprisingly damp.  We soon reached the larger trees and the path opened out.  There had been some wind damage since our last visit with one huge fir tree snapped and fallen into the burn.  Higher up the glen we were warned that no more than three people should be on the old swing bridge at one time.  It was decided that some of the larger members should cross alone.

The first drops of rain were felt as we proceeded up through the trees and by the time we reached Smyrton it had become a steady drizzle.  Waterproofs were donned and we carried on through the village and past the memorial hall.  At the crossroads in the green lane we turned back towards Auchencrosh in what was now a considerable downpour.  We soon reached the converter station and regained our cars after an enjoyable, if slightly soggy, ten mile walk.  We then repaired to the Merchant House in Cairnryan where we received the usual copious and excellent tea and cakes.

Next Saturday’s walk will be the popular figure of 8 walk around the Mull of Galloway starting from the Gallie Craig car park at 10:00. (NX 154 304)  Meet at the Riverside car park in Newton Stewart at 09:00 or the Breastworks car park at 09:15 to share transport.  New walkers are always welcome but please contact the walk leader on 01776 840636 for full details.