Wigtownshire Ramblers St Ninians Cave to the Isle of Whithorn November 2014

Yesterday, Saturday the 29th of November 28 walkers assembled for one of our favourite walks.

I wasn't amongst them. I've been indisposed with a nasty cold and sore throat since last Tuesday.

However I've asked for and received pictures and a walk report from A O'K and I am pleased to publish them here.

The report will follow the pictures.

Here's a post from 2012

2012 Walk

Here's A O'K's report.

St. Ninian’s Cave to the Isle of Whithorn 29th November 2014

A group of twenty eight walkers met at St Ninian’s Cave Car Park for the start of the walk to the Isle of Whithorn. A gentle start took the group down the verdant Physgill Glen to arrive on the stony beach of Port Castle Bay. The cave of St Ninian, Scotland’s first Christian missionary, was visited after a struggle across the stony beach where pebbles and stones of various colours and textures made walking difficult. A close inspection of the cave identified some of the original crosses carved into the rocks and much more recent messages.
Now following the coastal path the cliff top was accessed via a short climb. A deer, startled to see so many people approaching, darted off across the cliff tops. The scenery now, and for most of the walk, was of dramatic rocky outcrops, inlets, wide bays with caves and sheer cliffs. Some of the rock strata resembled that of the Giant’s Causeway or Fingal’s Cave. A little further on evidence of 18th century activity came in the shape of the Tonderghie Copper mine workings.
On reaching Burrowhead a leisurely lunch break was taken at the site of the original Wickerman. There is little left of the wooden stumps now to remind folk of the infamous film which is still celebrated annually. Ramblers enjoyed lunch with a view over the sea but for the most part it was too hazy to see the far coastlines. A tern was busy fishing offshore and several common gulls flew by no doubt hoping for some extra pickings from discarded picnics. They were out of luck as ramblers pride themselves on leaving nothing but footprints behind. A kestrel had been spotted when the walk was reconnoitred but it didn’t reappear on Saturday. However, four ravens soared aerobatically  above on the wind.
From Burrowhead the cliffs now became steeper and higher. A pill box, a remnant of WW2, was passed by as also were the ruins of several ancient forts. The rocks here are indicative of the forces of nature which created these sculptures on such a grand scale. The bravest walkers peered over the edge of the cliffs to view the devil’s bridge and Jamie’s Hole, a cave thought to have been used by smugglers. Soon the Isle of Whithorn and the distinctive square white tower which has been a mariner’s landmark for close on two centuries, came into view. Accompanied by the cries of curlews out over the bay the ramblers now turned inland for the final stage of the walk through fields and along the path into the village.
On reaching the car park in the Isle, the car drivers were ferried back to the walk start to collect the vehicles whilst their passengers descended on the new café and enjoyed good home baking and a welcome tea or coffee. Four kayakers provided entertainment through the picture windows overlooking the port. Afterwards some took advantage of the well-stocked shop to do a little extra Christmas shopping. The Isle of Whithorn has long been in need of a café and this new building is most impressive.
The next walk on Sunday (not Saturday) the 7th of December is a Stranraer to Castle Kennedy moderate circular walk of 9 miles. Meet for car sharing at the Breastworks, Stranraer 9.30am, the Riverside, Newton Stewart 9.15am or the walk start at Bunker hill car park, Sandmill (NX 083 620) at 10am. For further details or if going to the start please phone the walk leader on 01776 840226.

Wigtownshire Ramblers Cairngarroch to Ardwell November 2014

Saturday the 22nd November 2014

This walk was a repeat of one we did in January 2012.

January 2012 Walk

My report for this walk will follow my pictures and a selection from Scoop will follow that.

Twenty two of us set off down the track to Cairngarroch Bay.

A shaky stile was the first of a few obstacles we crossed.

The first burn crossing.

All walkers over safely.

The climb to the clifftops

Some find it easier than others.

View back to Cairngarroch Bay.

Undulating tops.

The three fence (two electric) challenge.

Stair step topography.

Seabirds were constant companions.

Sweetie break stop.

Various fungi.

Just in case we never noticed !

A distant view beyond Ardwell Bay.

Inland from Dove Cave Head.

Many more gulls. The photographic enhanced effect is from the 'I'm feeling lucky' button on Picasa.

Little Float Farm.

It's sad that people put these 'Private' signs up without explaining that the track is open to walkers.

It's perhaps something the Scottish Government should look into. There are too many being erected around our beautiful countryside.

Lunchtime at Float Bay brought this fellow in close.

Hungry walkers tuck in.

Whatever was attracting them, the birds kept coming.

Departing Float Bay. 

Treading carefully on the rocky stony terrain.

View back to Float Bay.

Water Cave, in need of exploration !.

A group photo after the steep scramble.

Kenmuir Farm Animals

Kenmuir Cottage, spaniels at the Pans and Saltpan cottage.

More stony and rocky terrain.

Ardwell Bay.

Cooling feet and the joy of sand after the stones.

Road up to West High Ardwell and the walk finish.

Here's the report.

Wigtownshire Ramblers 

Saturday the 22nd of November 2014

Twenty two walkers assembled near West Cairngarroch farm for the walk start.
A muddy farm track led us downhill to the shore at Cairngarroch Bay.
Here, a stop was taken for the tragic tale of the WW2 plane crash to be read out.
On July the 27th 1944, two C47 Dakota's carrying wounded US servicemen crossed here en route to Prestwick. One never made it over the cliffs and all 22 on board perished. There’s a memorial plaque at the northern end of the bay.
Now our route took us across a burn and past a picturesque cottage to begin an often muddy ascent of Cairnmon Fell.
Though somewhat misty in the distance the Irish coastline could be made out. The sun was shining.
Continuing along the coastal path we reached the area known as Slunkrainy. Here the steep slopes down to the rocky shore were of 'Stair-Step' topography and undulated in and out and up and down.
Two deer were seen bounding away over the skyline. Later we saw more deer on the horizon. Rabbits, partridges and pheasants were also spotted on the walk.
A grassy field gave us some relief from the muddy track but we soon arrived at an obstacle that required physical contortions. A track through gorse led us to three fences of which two were electric. Both were accidentally discovered to be live. Discarding rucksacks and rolling under the last fence seemed to be the most popular of the various crossing methods applied.
Now a change of direction took the route inland to pass through Little Float Farm. From here a downhill track led down to Float Bay.
The delightful residence on the bay seemed deserted, so, though not trespassing we used the garden edges to sit for a lunch break.
During a lovely break we observed seals and seagulls. Something in the sea was attracting the birds as their flying and squawking, overhead and in the sea, never stopped while we were there.
After lunch we passed another holiday cottage. We wondered about the tides as we spotted a flood shield on a door bottom.
More clambering over the rocky shore was followed by a scramble up the steep slopes to access the viewpoint overlooking Float Bay. Here on Island Buoy stood the promontory fort known as Kenmuir Graves.
The sun was still shining and afforded wonderful views back up the Rhins coastline, including the wide mouth of Water Cave back on Float Bay. A fine spot for group photographs.
Now we walked back inland through open fields to bring us to Kenmuir. Reaching the T junction we turned back to the coast. At the Pans, four spaniels being exercised were happy to wag their tails at our passing.  The road now brought us to Salt Pan Cottage where again we took the stony coastal path.
The humorous story of circus strong man Will Purves who lived in a cave at Saltpans Bay was again related.
The hard stony walking eventually gave way to the silvery sands of Ardwell Bay.
On reaching the car park we encountered a lady trying to recover a dog called Bobby who was spotted among the whins and bracken of the steep slopes. A happy ending saw Bobby re-united with his walker.
A short road walk up to West High Ardwell concluded the walk.
Drivers were now shunted back to Cairngarroch for their vehicles.

Most walkers now made their way to the Woodlea Tearoom at Sandhead for excellent after walk refreshments.

Next Saturday’s walk will be from St Ninian’s Cave to the Isle of Whithorn.. Meet at the Riverside car park in Newton Stewart at 09:15, the Breastworks car park at 09:00 or the walk start at St Ninian’s car park (NX 431 366).  New walkers are always welcome but please contact the walk leader on 01988 840268 for full details.

Here's an excellent selection from 

Scoop

She tells me she took the one above at Port Logan on her way home. 

While I took these below on my way home.

Between us we've created a nice pictorial record of a great day's walking.