The Wigtownshire Ramblers Byne Hill Circular May 2014

Although I missed this walk, It's an idea to publish a selection of pictures by Scoop and the report so here they are. It's quite a possibility that the Ayrshire blogger will publish the same pictures, but no worries.

The report follows the pictures. 

Saturday the 3rd of May 2014

Wigtownshire Ramblers – Saturday 3rd May 2014 Byne Hill, Grey Hill and Kennedy’s Pass

Seventeen ramblers assembled at the Woodlands Restaurant, just off the A77 south of Girvan.  The morning was overcast with a cool wind blowing from the east.  Not much of a May morning!  However, there were hints of brightness to the south and we were optimistic we would have a dry day.  Our leader explained that the walk had been modified to avoid a field with newly released cows and calves and outlined the proposed route for the day.  We duly set off up the steep incline through the woods dotted with wild flowers towards the Craufurd Memorial in the saddle between Byne Hill and Mains Hill.

After a short struggle we reached the monument which is now in a very poor state of repair with no indication of the reason for the construction.  However, there were fine views over the Firth to Ailsa Craig and the narrow littoral plain along the shore.

Leaving the memorial we skirted the south side of Mains Hill and negotiated some boggy ground towards Fell Hill.  On crossing the burn we found a well-used quad bike track and followed it up the hill to the summit.  The wind was now much stronger and swept in over the open ground to the south-east causing the walkers to fasten their coats more securely.  The views had opened out and the coastline up to Girvan and beyond was laid out below us to the north. The Ayrshire countryside was spread out below us to the east and the sea, speckled with white horses, to the west.  Unfortunately the distant haze concealed the Galloway Hills, the Kintyre peninsular and Arran.  Ahead of us to the south the prominent peak of Grey Hill stood out against a small patch of blue sky which had pierced the grey overcast.  All around us small patches of sunlight pinpointed various features of the landscape.

We pressed on down into a shallow valley and then tackled the slopes of Grey Hill.  Just before the summit a short break was taken in the shelter of some rocks out of the gale force wind.  Refreshed, we then clambered up to the trig point and paused for a group photo before climbing steeply down the other side to a shallow pass in the ridge.

At this point two walkers left the group to continue a recce for next week’s Newton Stewart Walking Festival walk from Girvan to Colmonell.  The walk is well booked but a few spaces are left for anyone wishing to join the event.  See www.newtonstewartwalkfest.com.

We then turned down the south-east face of the ridge and crossing some boggy patches we entered the Grey Hill Grassland Reserve managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust. Wildflowers and other plants - including many uncommon ones - flourish on the rare serpentinite rocks. We walked around the lower slopes of Cairn Hill and emerged from the reserve at Drumfairn. Turning north along the farm road we paused for a lunch break in a sheltered spot beside the Bynehill Burn. Two crows provided entertainment as they swooped and harried a kestrel who had trespassed on their territory.

Lunch over; we headed towards the Byne Hill caravan park at Brochneil. Here the group split again as the majority headed up Byne Hill. However, a few of us decided that it was one hill too far and elected to walk around its lower slopes. Here we were accosted by a miniature pony making its presence felt and demanding to be fed. A notice on the fence warned us against this and indeed it did look very well nourished. Further down the lane two donkeys or mules (we couldn’t decide which) were lazing about in another field.

Emerging from the lane we crossed the busy A77 to walk along the path next to the beach. Out to sea was a raft of eider ducks and on our left was the colourful big top of the Circus Vegas. What caught our attention most were the huge, luxurious travelling homes - obviously American built - which must have had trouble negotiating our small roads.

Re crossing the road we arrived back at Woodlands where afternoon tea had been arranged. A short time later the mountaineering group swooped in – victorious at having climbed Byne Hill and producing the photographs to prove it. A delicious tea followed after which the group set off for home. The two intrepid Walking Festival researchers were located in the Boar’s Head in Colmonell having had a fantastic walk along the ridges from Girvan with spectacular coastal views.


Next week Ramblers are leading or participating in the walking festival. The walk on 17th May will be a 10 mile circle behind Cairnryan. Meet at the Riverside Car Par in Newton Stewart at 9.15am or the Breastworks car park in Stranraer at 9.30 am for car sharing. The walk starts at the Merchant House, Cairnryan at 10am. If going straight to the start or joining us for the first time please telephone the walk leader on 01776 870441.

Wigtownshire Ramblers-Knockdolian September 2011

Saturday the 3rd of September and I'm back walking with the Ramblers.
Today's walk is to the top of one of our favourite wee hills,Knockdolian.

I'm writing the press report since I'm walk leader,so I'll post that after the pictures.
The picture of the seal and a couple of others were taken on the recce about ten days ago.

The pictures above show an abandoned light buoy,a mystic sky,Ailsa Craig and the ruins of a fishing boat.

Ballantrae Beach

Salty the seal

More pictures of the rock and coast.

Love the way the cormorant spreads it's wings

Water tank housing

Another zoomed recce picture showing Ailsa's top

Sometimes cloud brings out colour more.

Ailsa Craig with her hat on

Nearly up

Now we're at the summit

I wonder who Jimmy Rennie was and why he has a plaque up here.

(I've had an email from Jimmy Rennie's great nephew who tells me that Jimmy lived in Colmonell most of his life and when he died this plaque was in place of a traditional headstone.
He and his direct ancestors lived in south-west Scotland right back to the 18th century at least.
His sister married Alexander Deans, so it looks like he's a distant relative by marriage.
No wonder I love this hill !)

Knockdolian House.....

.......and a closer view

The happy wanderers

A look at the ancient hill fort

Standing on the precipice 

Grass of Parnassus 

Approaching Knockdolian

Knockdolian Castle and house

The Stinchar

Himalayan  Balsam,running sheep,hay bale and a flock of Starlings

Milestones

Information Board

Ballantrae graveyard and the family crest and motto of  the Oliver family of close by Laggan

Wigtownshire Ramblers Walk Report
Saturday the 3rd of September 2011

A depleted group of nine walkers met at the Ballantrae shore carpark for the walk start.
Light drizzly rain gave way to it being slightly overcast with occasional blue skies.

The walk began by heading north along the coastal path and the beach.
A variety of seabirds,the remains of a fishing boat, a manmade breakwater and white waves were noted with interest.
A traffic cone atop a fence post indicated a point to leave the beach.
After crossing the busy A77, a short walk eastwards along the b734 brought them to Corseclays Farm.
Now a farm track took them onto the lower slopes of Knockdolian.

After passing an ornate brick building housing a water tank,they reached what was to be the biggest obstacle of the day,a drystane dyke with a barbed wire fence either side.Various methods and bodily contortions were used,but eventually all walkers were safely over with only the odd minor scratch.
After passing a short boggy tussocky section they reached the firmer ground of the steeper slopes.
Behind them Ailsa Craig still had her 'Bunnet' on.
Underfoot was mainly grass,but bell heather,ling and various fungi were also present on the ascent.

Eventually all walkers reached the 869ft summit of this 'Marilyn'.
With cloud level now much higher, views were extensive.To the west the Antrim coast,Mull of Kintyre and Arran were seen.To the north,the Ayrshire coast and the Isle of Bute were recognised.To the west the Galloway hills stood prominent.Closer by, the Stinchar valley stretched out to Pinwherry and parts of Glen Tig to the south were viewed.The windfarms of Arcleoch,Mark Hill and Barr all had their blades turning.

Dropping just below the summit to a sheltered rocky outcrop,lunch was taken.Facing northwards much of the coversation was about identifying landmarks of previous walks.
Directly below and owned by the family of the Duke of Wellington the mansion house of Knockdolian was in clear view.

After lunch the group descended to view the prominent mound of the ancient hill fort.A further careful descent now took them across a boundary fence to gentler slopes.Here the amateur botanists in the group identified a variety of wild flowers and plants.Harebell,Burdock,Scabious and the delightful white flowers of the Grass of Parnassus were amongst those spotted.

Reaching the burn at the Duniewick plantation another mini obstacle course involved ducking under the fence of a burn outlet and crossing over a wooden fence.
After passing another ornate water tank housing they crossed the b7044 to view the ruins of  the 16th century Knockdolian castle.From here they made their way down to the banks of the River Stinchar.

The riverside path took them south through Finnart Holm before rejoining the road below Macherquat farm.Leaping trout and the occasional salmon were seen in the river,while Ragged Robin,Lousewort,Watermint and Trefoil were amongst the still lush growth along the banks.

Next came two kilometres of road walking. The invasive Japanese Knotweed and Himalayan Balsam grew profusely along the roadside.Also plentiful was the more acceptable and important herb Comfrey.

After passing the extensive ruins of Balnowlart House they regained the riverside path which took them to the bridge at Ardstinchar.An information board gave the history of Ardstinchar Castle and the old and new bridges over the river.

A walk through the graveyard via the Kennedy mausoleum brought an excellent and dry walk to a conclusion.

The next walk, on Saturday the 10th of September be a circular ' B ' grade walk of 8 miles from Portpatrick
Meet at the Riverside car park Newton Stewart at 9.00 am,the Breastworks, Stranraer at 9.30 am for car sharing, or at the walk start at Portpatrick South Car Park (NW 999 539) at 10.00am.
New members are always welcome, for more information or if going to the walk start, contact the walk leader on 01776 870441