Wigtownshire Ramblers-Cream o' Galloway to Barlocco June 2011

Sunday the 26th of June 2011.
Recce'd on Friday for the walk on Sunday,I had to change the original schedule for today's walk because of the tides.Basically I got it wrong.

We're starting the walk from the Cream O' Galloway .
Much of the walk is along the same route of last June's walk to Ardwall Island.
2010 Walk

I'm today's walk leader and because I didn't do it in the press report I must thank my deputy walk leader for all the work she put into this one.

As I usually do when I write the press report,I'll double it up for the blog.
Pictures from the recce will also be included.
So here we go.

Wigtownshire Ramblers Walk Report

Sunday 26th June 2011

The ramblers were trying out a Sunday walk this week.

A dull morning saw seventeen walkers gather at the walk start at the Cream O' Galloway.Two guest walkers were welcomed to the group.

They started by walking along the Cream O' Galloway's blue nature trail to Megan's Lochan where a few ducks and a little grebe splashed playfully.

After a quick look in the birdhide they made their way to the 'Viewpoint'.Unfortunately cloud and mist obscured the views which are normally extensive to the west.

Next they made their way to the gate and steps to where the trail leaves the complex.

An oak tree in perspective

Now the path took them along the eastern edge of Boreland Wood,where colourful wild fowers were in abundance.After crossing another drystone wall via well constructed wooden steps, they came to a gate which would take them through the toughest section of todays walk.

A fallen tree,overhanging bracken,gorse,bramble and blackthorn has made this a hazardous two hundred yards.Today,two big strong men had been dispatched at the walk start to try and clear the path somewhat.

Sterling work by the advance party made the passage much easier and the only real hazard was the collapsed bridge over the Boreland burn.

Emarging from the previously baptized 'Wildwood' two fields and one more fence saw them reaching a gate onto the Sandgreen road.

A drystone dyke opposite the gate included a personalised stone declaring 'This stone was laid by James Finlay and the dyke completed by Roger Lewis in 1980'.

Welsh poppies were a feature of the short road walk the group now took to the Carrick chalet park complex.

Passing through the chalet park cheerful greetings were exchanged with holidaymakers.


Beyond Carrick Bay,Carrick shore already had visitors.Ardwall Isle,the original target for todays walkers was still two hours away from low water,the reason for programme change.


Now they reached a kissing gate which begins the core path of Knockbrex to Kirkandrew.Todays walk is taking place in one of Scotlands National Scenic Areas.

Next they rounded Knockbrex Bay crossing the Plunton Burn.From here they made their way to the harbour and jetty.Three unique looking high stone beacons direct the boats into the harbour.

A castellated boathouse stands nearby.

Close by a substantial headstone remembers 'Jeemes July 1893 and Squire Twist August 1893'

as 'Faithful Doggies'.

Here they had their first look at Knockbrex House,a beautiful Grade 2 listed mansion house.Knockbrex House was built in 1900 for James Brown,a Mancunian, wealthy cloth merchant and chairman of the drapery firm Affleck and Brown. He had bought the estate from a Captain Hope in 1894 for the princely sum of £14,000.

Knockbrex House

Now they rejoined the path towards Barlocco Isle.A castellated wall follows much of the track.

After rounding Bar Hill they arrived at the ruins of the picturesque Knockbrex Bathing House.Built at the same time as the house it too has a castellated parapet.

With the weather slowly improving lunch was taken.

After lunch the group were given some free time to walk on the beach and rocks.

The work of artistic and not so artistic ramblers

From the rocks the tower of the Corseyard Model Dairy,known locally as 'Coo Palace' could be seen.This too was apparently one of James Brown's constructions.




At the causeway to Barlocco Isle the tide wasn't sufficiently low enough to cross over.The recce party earlier in the week had been on the island,but very little of interest was noted. Barlocco Isle had been the centre of attention in 2006 when a 61 foot long Fin Whale beached and died.

The following three collages were taken on the island during the recce.

Note the colourful fly (is it a fly?) in the top left picture above. 

The outside of a D & G litter bin seemed quite unsuitably located.

Colourful, but not a lot to see.No sign either of any remains of the 'Truda',shipwrecked here in 1903 with the loss of four lives.

Now the return trip saw them retrace their steps as far as Carrick Shore from where they made their way to the Knockbrex Viewpoint.

Another short break was taken here to admire the now emerging views with occasional glimpses of the sun.

Next they made their way east over undulating country through whin and gorse to reach a drystane dyke with a built in stile.No volunteers were found to test whether the electric fence running alongside was live.

They now passed a pond which was once a sheep dip where an abundance of wild orchids bloomed.  

To the west of Castle Hill they now reached the farm track north which would take them to Boreland of Girthon Farm.

Reaching the Sandgreen road they retraced their route back to the fields and the 'Wildwood', becoming easier with each passage through.

Now the Cream O' Galloways blue nature trail was rejoined for the last section back to the car park.

After divesting themselves of rucksacks the group now enjoyed sitting in the sunshine enjoying the numerous varieties of the centre's excellent range of organic ice creams.An indulgent finish to a lovely walk.

Mint and choc chip with fruit.

Thanks must go to the Visitor Centre Manager Helen Fenby and her friendly staff for allowing us the use of their facilities.

The next walk, on Saturday the 2nd of July will be an easy,six miles "Walk in the Rhins with tea and cakes" from Port Logan to Damnaglaur. 

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 Port Logan (NX 094 404) at 10.00am.

New members are always welcome, for more information or if going to the walk start, contact the walk leader on 01776 840636

Wigtownshire Ramblers-Cream o' Galloway and Ardwall Island June 2010

I'm a bit late with this weeks walk.No worries though eh!
Thanks to Scoop for additional pictures.
The press report will again suffice for the blog.
We had a good day.

Wigtownshire Ramblers Walk Report

Saturday the 5th of June 2010

A warm but grayish morning saw twenty walkers gather at the Cream o' Galloway for todays walk.

A warm invitation from the manager of the visitor centre to use their facilities had been gratefully accepted.
Cream o' Galloway


The walk began by following the centre's bue nature trail to Megan's Lochan.Here a little grebe's diving habits were observed.Lush colourful vegetation around the pond showed the coming of the summer season.

Passing by detailed nature information boards they made their way to the gate and steps to where the trail leaves the complex.

Next they made their way north along the eastern edge of Boreland Wood,where colourful wild fowers were in abundance.After crossing another drystone wall via well constructed wooden steps they came to a gate which would take them through the toughest section of todays walk.
The path along the edge of the plantation had become overgrown, and the group made their way through overhanging bracken,gorse, bramble and blackthorn bushes.Reaching the almost collapsed bridge over the Boreland burn, one unlucky rambler ended up in a bed of nettles.Luckily there were dock leaves to hand to apply to the stings.

Emerging into a field of sheep with the now baptized 'Wildwood' behind them, one more fence saw them reaching a gate onto the Sandgreen road.

Blossoming hawthorn and welsh poppies were a feature of the short road walk the group now took to the Carrick chalet park complex.

After passing Carrick Bay they reached the shoreline opposite Ardwall Isle.

Having arrived a little earlier than low water a short break was taken.

Some walkers had a change of footwear for the crossing , while others either kept their boots on or went barefoot.

A damp and sometimes muddy walk across the sand now saw the group reach the rocky shore of Ardwall Isle.

From Sandy Bay they made their via the low central plateau to the cairn on the southern half of the island.In places, evidence of run-rig could be made out.Now they stopped to view and identify the many landmarks in view.To the north clouds still hung over Barholm and Ben John hills.To the south, the ruins of the Corseyard Model Dairy known locally as Coo Palace and the impressive Knockbrex house could be seen.

Next they moved to view the boarded up house closer to the south of the island.
A well and an overgrown orchard were found close by.The surrounding gorse was bright yellow while pignut grew profusely.The house itself was surrounded by an escalonia hedge.
With thoughts on turning tides they now moved north to try to identify the site of the ruined 7th century chapel.With vegetation and undergrowth so thick the result was inconclusive.The walk leader however read out some facts concerning this very early and important christian site.
There's a very comprehensive report in P.D.F form on the excavations called 'An Early Christian Cemetery and Chapel on Ardwall Isle, Kirkcudbright' which can be found here.
Ardwall

This looks like it's been a small harbour over the years.There's a lot of work gone into building the wall.

Now they made their way back to the mainland, climbing up to Knockbrex Hill viewpoint where a leisurely lunch was taken.

Posers !

The sun managed to breakthrough during lunch as the tide was observed coming back in and Ardwall Isle again became cut off. Children could be seen wading where the group had so recently crossed over.
To the left in the above picture is Barlocco Isle.
Above the yellow gorse can be seen the Sandgreen caravan and chalet park.Why else would I include this picture.Ha

After lunch they now made their way east over undulating country through whin and gorse to reach a drystane dyke with a built in stile.Care was taken to avoid the live electric fence on the other side.This crossing brought about much joviality.
Skirting round Castle Hill they now reached the farm track north which would take them to Boreland of Girthon Farm.

Upon reaching the farm, the group encountered the farmer who they conversed with.They learned of the constuction of the viewpoint, more facts about Ardwall and the discovery on his land of a univallate spur site, or more commonly a promontory fort.
I think I've uploaded this picture before.

Back on the Sandgreen road they now retraced the outward route back to the Cream o' Galloway complex.The short path through 'Wildwood',being slightly easier on the return.

Now back in the complex they took the circular route via the Knockewan Lochan where a pair of nesting swans were seen.As they passed Megan's Lochan they could see the little grebe was still diving.

Back at the visitors centre, rucksacks were stowed away and the many varieties of the renowned ice cream were soon being sampled.

Thanks must go to the Visitor Centre Manager Helen Fenby and her friendly staff for allowing us the use of their facilities.

I think we might do this walk again.

The next walk on Saturday the 12th of June is a 'History and Hills' walk of 9 miles over Cambrett Hill and Cairnharrow.
Meet for car sharing at the Breastworks, Stranraer at 9am, the Riverside Car Park, Newton Stewart at 9.30am, or at the walk start at CairnHoly (NX 518 539) at 10am.
New members are always welcome.For more information contact the walk leader on 01671 820527