Wigtownshire Ramblers Stranraer Castle Kennedy December 2014

7th December

It's a Sunday outing for us for a change.

Our walk leader is the 'Weaver' and her report will follow the pictures.

It's a walk we've done with variations previously.

April 2014 Walk

The 1st of October 2011 Walk

15th of October 2011 Walk

The walk started at the car park on a windy Loch Ryan.

We disturbed a flock of Oystercatchers.

Road to High Balyett

Road to Garthleary

Leaving Garthleary

View north to the Fell of Craigcaffie

In the grounds of the Stair Estate through Kennel Bank Wood.

Lochinch Castle 

Crindil Bank Wood

Sheuchan Hill

Bamboo and a passing dog (with owner of course).

Fungi

Heron Isle on Black Loch.

East Lodge and entrance gate.

More fungi and bamboo.

View across White Loch to Lochinch Castle.

I zoomed in....................

.........................and again.....................

......................and once more. 

(I listened to a programme about photographic drones today, talk about big brother watching you !)

Castle Kennedy road crossing.

I hope it doesn't spiral out of control !

Castle Kennedy Primary School mural.

Lunch in Long Planting (old military road)

Lit up tree at Limekiln Lodge. (the window rail matching the grid spacing is purely coincidental)

A muddy Southern Upland Way.

Power lines.  

Sweetie distribution at Guyon's Brae Wood.

All that remains of Culhorn House

Industrial Estate view from Witches Howe

Commerce Road crossing.

Even more fungi.

Westwood Avenue to Ladies Walk.

Loch Ryan.

Cairnryan Road.

Loch Ryan Swans.

A sandy walk back to the cars at the Balyett picnic site.

A lovely walk with only one little drizzle of a shower.

Here's the 'Weaver's' walk report.

Wigtownshire Ramblers Castle Kennedy walk.

For a change the Ramblers met on Sunday for a 9 1/2 mile circular walk around Stranraer and Castle Kennedy, a walk of woods and water.

Seventeen members set off from the parking place on the cockle shore, along the edge of Loch Ryan with high tide water splashing ferociously in the bitingly cold wind. A lone goose sheltering in the undergrowth was sent flapping into the choppy sea as the unexpected invaders passed.

Once over the coast road, High Balyett farm road was followed, crossing the old railway line to Cairnryan, only shown now by one rail in the road and a depression across the adjacent field. The next road crossed was the A751 and another farm lane taken, leading after a short while to a grassy field with a good view down Loch Ryan, though the wind was so cold that very few people climbed the small hill to get the best view. The policies of Stair Estate were entered by a tree lined road alongside a small burn which, by a circuitous route, connected the Black Loch with Loch Ryan.

The shelter of the trees now meant that the biting wind ceased to chill the walkers and the milder climate here was shown by a pretty azalea bush covered in tiny mauve flowers. The Black Loch was spanned at a narrow point by a rustic wooden bridge and the north side of the loch was enjoyed with views over the water to the manicured lawns around the castle. In the 1730's these gardens were made by the second Earl of Stair. They are said to be inspired by the gardens at Versailles and the hard work of shifting soil, in order to build terraces, was done by the Royal Scots Greys and the Inniskilling Fusiliers.

The geese and ducks which usually frequent the loch were nowhere to be seen until the Southern Upland Way was joined at the end of the Black Loch. Now the geese were spotted far away near the castle, resting on the grassy banks. Coots and ducks swam out from the reeds at the side of the White Loch and a buzzard soared overhead mewing. Loch Inch Castle was picturesquely situated on the North bank of the White Loch, with the remains of the old church and graveyard on the West bank and the ruined Castle Kennedy, built in 1607 and burnt down in 1716, on the East bank. This driveway to the A75 is a glorious spot to traverse in all seasons.

The walkers soon passed through the village of Castle Kennedy and onto the wooded track which was once full of wartime buildings conveniently situated alongside the railway. Now there are only the foundations of huts and the odd shelter to be seen. Lunch amongst the trees brought a welcome rest for everyone.

The walk continued along the tree lined track until it reached a deviation of the old road caused by the building of the railway, which was crossed under a bridge near Loch Magillie and picked up again after a stretch of the Old Military Road, by a lodge and gate. A boggy piece of ground at Lime Kiln alongside the path had been transformed into a small loch and soon Culhorn Loch was also seen, making a total of six lochs passed today. The archway into Culhorn House is all that is left of the old Stair residence for about 150 years, after Castle Kennedy was burnt and before Lochinch Castle was built.

The last section of woodland was now walked, leaving the Southern Upland Way and heading through Big Plantation and Witches Howe, crossing the Industrial Estate road and following the Approach into town. Now that the trees were not so thick the biting wind reappeared with a spattering of rain which thankfully lasted no longer than a few seconds. The walkers were reunited with their cars along the A77, helped along by the wind behind them, some taking the easy path along the roadside and others venturing onto the cockle shore to crunch their way back.

Refreshments at Craignelder were a welcome end to the day’s walk with great service and comfortable surroundings, whilst a very black cloud built up over the loch. This was a well-timed finish for a fresh but enjoyable walk.

Next Saturday’s walk will be a circular from Ballantrae to the summit of Knockdolian returning along the river Stinchar. Meet at the Riverside car park in Newton Stewart at 09:00 am, the Breastworks car park, Stranraer at 09:30 am or the walk start at Ballantrae Shore car park (NX 082 825) at 10 am.  New walkers are always welcome but please contact the walk leader on 01988 700553 for full details.

Wigtownshire Ramblers Lochinch Circular October 2014

Saturday the 11th of October 2014

 I still like to publish the walks I miss for the perusal of the wider walking community.

I missed this walk due to my trip down south.

Thanks therefore go to Scoop for the pictures and Shorty for the report.

White Loch approach through Broad Wood

Lochinch Castle view

Castle Kennedy House grounds

White Loch and WWII hut remnants

Graveyard in the old Inch Parish Churchyard

Happy Ramblers

The obligatory obstacle on any of the 'Farmer's' walks

'Shorty' to the rescue

Balker Fell

Group photograph overlooking Luce Bay, Cults Loch, Black Loch and White Loch

Return to Castle Kennedy grounds

Bridge over the channel linking the White and Black Lochs

After walk refreshments by the old Castle Kennedy

Wigtownshire Ramblers – Saturday, 11/10/2014 – Lochinch Circular

The weather forecast had promised a fine day so twenty seven ramblers assembled at the Castle Kennedy gardens for a walk around the Lochinch Estate.  The group set off cheerfully along the main drive towards Castle Kennedy village along the shore of the White Loch.  It was so calm that the water looked like glass.  The only ripples were caused by a group of ducks which hurried for cover on the far side of the loch.  Across the water Lochinch Castle was mirrored in the smooth water.

The route then turned off the drive and we followed a track through the woods.  All along the way were remnants of buildings which had formed part of the numerous military establishments built here during the war.  Nature was rapidly reclaiming the sites and only a few wall and concrete foundations were visible.

We soon reached the Lochinch Castle drive and turned north.  There we met a group of cheerful children who had been enjoying an outing in the countryside.  A little further on we made a short diversion to the old Inch parish church with its graveyard containing many old gravestones. The site is now used as a private burial ground for the Earls of Stair and their family.

After returning to the drive we followed the road with views over the White Loch until we reached the woods.  A track led us through Hamilton Wood down to the Balker Bridge.  The path was remarkably dry considering the rain of recent days.  It will obviously take further rain to make the soil really wet.  We then followed the road on to Balker Farm, the home farm for the Estate.  After a short pause for sweeties we then tackled the climb up the track towards the television transmitter on Balker Fell.  As we ascended the track the views opened up over Stranraer and Luce Bay.  The Mull of Galloway was silhouetted against the bright sea and the Isle of Man was just visible on the misty horizon.

We followed the track until we reached the aerial and then turned down through the woods following a well-used deer track.  The woods were criss-crossed by deer tracks and our leader was concerned that the group kept well together as any stragglers might easily be confused by the choice of routes amongst the dense trees.  We noticed significant damage on the trees which suggested that red and roe deer were prolific in the area.  We soon emerged from the woods into a grassy meadow where we paused for lunch. The sun shone for our lunch stop and we enjoyed lovely views over the Black & White lochs with the tower of Castle Kennedy standing out against the trees on its promontory between the lochs.  Flights of geese were busy on the Black Loch and their haunting cries could be heard clearly.

After lunch we descended to field and turned onto the road through the Tongue Glen.  We paused on the bridge over the Tongue Burn to examine the remains of an older bridge now represented by a series of walls which had supported the abutments.  Further along the lane we passed Sheuchan Farm and then reached the New Luce road.  We then turned back towards Castle Kennedy.  The road was unusually busy.  Perhaps the fine weather and the start of the autumn colours had tempted out the visitors.

After a short walk along the road we turned into Sheuchan Bank wood.  The road had been tarmacked but was rapidly disappearing below rampant vegetation.  We then turned back through the Broad Wood and soon reached the cars again.  We then retired to the Tea Room and enjoyed tea and cakes in the sunshine below the walls of the old castle.

Next week’s event will be a moderate walk over the hills behind Creetown.  Meet at the Breastworks car park in Stranraer at 09:00 or the Riverside car park in Newton Stewart at 09:30 to share transport.  The walk will start from the Gem Rock Museum in Creetown at 10:00 (NX 477 590).  New walkers are always welcome but please contact the walk leader on 01988 840268 for full details.

Wigtownshire Ramblers Talnotry June 2014

Saturday the 28th of June 2014

Saturday's walk was a strenuous A walk to Billy Marshall's cave and beyond. Because of this, A O'K recce'd a low level alternative for walkers wanting an easier day.

The leaders of the hill climb were the Milkmaid and Lionheart.

The 'Milkmaid' and A O'K will be writing the walk report and that will follow the images.

I'll begin the post with 

THE LOW LEVEL WALK

Because I was still aching from the Rig of the Jarkness on Thursday, I opted for the easier walk.

It's a variation of a walk we did back in October 2011.

October 2011 Walk

Eleven of us set off from the Talnotry Car Park, climbing up to the path running south west.

This was probably the hardest part of the walk.

Talnotry Hill Viewpoint

Here's a landscape picture from Miss Goodnight, shame this blog author got in the way !

We had a bit of a scramble down to the Loch of the Lowes. 

I didn't get any decent pictures here, so here's a collage from a previous visit when I saw the goldeneye ducks. 

Remember this video ?. Beethoven - GoldenEye Ducks - Duckin' and Divin'

A change of direction took us north east along the forest road.

Once the main road out of Newton Stewart it's still called the Old Edinburgh Road. 

Another fine picture from Miss Goodnight.

When we came to this :- Shaft(dis) as marked on the OS map, I thought I had the answer.

In 2008 and 2011, I mentioned it as being a lead or copper mine, then on my blog posts thinking I'd corrected myself by calling it the Talnotry Nickel Mine.

Now after looking at grid references and aditnow.co.uk I've come to the conclusion  I know nothing about this shaft. The Talnotry Nickel Mine is located nearer the Glen of the Bar and aditnow have nothing about this particular shaft.

I've narrowed the grid ref to NX 488 724, or one digit either way. I can find no reference to this particular location anywhere on the internet. Perhaps some geological genius will finally put me right.

Three of us took a short diversion to look at this cracking waterfall and pool on the Grey Mares Tail burn.

Wild swimming here I come !
Back on the forest road we found an ideal pile of stones for a lunch break.

After lunch we continued along to the Black Loch.

I stitched two pictures together to get the whole of 'The Eye' in.

"Standing around 8 metres high this perfect spire is made from red-earthen tiles, showing their rough broken edge on the outside. Once you are standing beside it you should soon realise why it’s creator Colin Rose has called it the ‘Eye’!"

Dumfries and Galloway Natural History

As this dead mole was discovered one walker recollected the texture of a certain moleskin jacket.

On reaching the Tonderghie burn, we rounded the loch and retraced our steps along the forest road. 

Back at the Grey Mares Tail burn we turned south.

Here we came to the Matt Baker sculptures. A few years older than I thought, they go back to 1997.

Although the 'Quorum' stays in place, it appears one of the lone sculptures has been stolen.

It's possibly the reason for new concrete 'filling in' shown here.

Grey Mare's Tail path.

Grey Mares Tail gorge, scene of a fatal 'Gorge Jumping' pursuit.

BBC News

Perhaps a more permanent memorial could be erected ?

A climb down.................

.............then up again.

There's a well worn path up here.

Built in 1835 the listed obelisk Murray's Monument is a very popular short climb.

Being located right beside the A712, the Newton Stewart to New Galloway road with a handy car park right below makes it attractive to passers by.

  

Our weary climbers take a moment.

The path round the back of the monument takes us back to the cars.
Our group then returned to Newton Stewart to enjoy excellent refreshments at the Belted Galloway.

Now here's a few pictures from Shorty and one from the Milkmaid of the 

HIGH LEVEL WALK

Update 7th of July :- I received some pictures today from the 'Croupier' taken by her husband during this climb. Here's a selection.

 Looking back to Murray's Monument.

 Inside Billy Marshall's cave.

 Is that a troglodyte ?

 Wreckage and Shorty

Millfore Summit

Thanks for dealing me those good lady, it's my pleasure to include them.


Doesn't time fly, It's almost five years since we last climbed to Billy Marshall's Cave.
2009 Walk 
I believe all of these pictures were taken after the visit to the cave.
(It's also quite possible I have some out of sequence, if so I hope it doesn't bother anyone, 'cause it doesn't me)

 After lunch in Louran Glen

 Wreckage of the USAF McDonald Douglas Phantom which crashed into Cairnsmore on the 28th of March 1979.

Fence leading up to the Nick of the Saddle.

It looks tough.

Which way now ?

Minnigaff Hills View.

Last braes before the Nick of the Saddle.

 Nick of the Saddle

 Meikle Mulltaggart

 A cool wind blows across the lesser known Millfore summit.

Millfore Hill.

Here's the reports.

Wigtownshire Ramblers 28th June 2014

On Saturday Wigtownshire Ramblers had a choice of two walks, a high level walk with a diversion to Billy Marshall’s cave and a low level walk around Talnotry.
17 ramblers choosing the high level walk set off from Talnotry, crossing the Palnure burn and following the forest road upwards until the Louran burn was reached. A short push through well grown bracken led to a grassy walk along a picturesque stream with large flat rocks and small waterfalls. The lack of recent rain made the Louran burn easy to cross.
The group then traversed the moorland towards the slopes of Cairnsmore of Fleet, where wild goats were spotted camouflaged against the rocks. Leaving rucksacks against a large boulder a detour took walkers to Billy Marshall’s cave which they then explored with torches. In the 1700s this cave was used as a hide out for a gang, whose leader was Billy Marshall, and as a store for the proceeds of their activities which probably included smuggling. Reputedly Billy Marshall lived to be 120, married 17 times and had scores of children. He is buried in St Cuthbert’s churchyard in Kirkcudbright.
Re-donning rucksacks the party followed the fence line leading up to the Nick of the Saddle. Part of the USAF McDonald Douglas Phantom light aircraft, which crashed into Cairnsmore of Fleet on 28th March 1979, lay across the route.  A rocky area close to this was chosen for lunch.
Refreshed, the walkers continued through rough heather up to the Nick of the saddle where they were able to enjoy panoramic views. This included the Lake District hills and Northern Ireland. In contrast the path to Meikle Mulltaggart was easy underfoot, then following a bike track past peat hags on a flat plateau, the rocky slopes of Craignelder were reached. This was a quick climb and the cairn of Millfore Hill was a stroll from here. The visibility was so good that the dome on Lowther Hill could be seen.
Descending, a quad bike track led to a forest ride which led to a forest road and eventually cars waiting at the Red Deer Range car park where drivers could be ferried to Talnotry for their cars.

Meanwhile a second group, who were looking for an easier day, set off on a circular walk which led past the Loch of the Lowes and along the Old Edinburgh Road. The entrance to an old mine was investigated followed by a diversion to see the waterfall on The Grey Mares Tail burn which was disappointing as it was as low as any of the party could remember seeing before. Shortly afterwards lunch was taken beside the bridge over the burn. They then followed the road to the Black Loch stopping to admire the Eye, a sculpture standing around 8 metres high. It is a perfect spire representing a needle with an “eye” through its centre.  After circling the Black Loch the group walked past the Quorum, a group of heads carved from local stone and set into the walls of a sheep enclosure. The ramblers then walked up and over a hill and down towards the car park at Murray’s Monument. The climb to the top of the monument was rewarded by views across the valley and the party were able to trace the route taken by the other group along the forest road and up to Billy Marshall’s cave. They were not in view however, having long since completed that part of their walk. The group wandered back down the path to the cars at Talnotry car park. Unlike the first group they were back in time for tea and cakes at The Belted Galloway in Newton Stewart.

Next week on Saturday July 5th there is an 8 mile linear walk from Isle of Whithorn to Garlieston. Meet for car sharing at the Riverside, Newton Stewart at 8.30am, Stranraer Breastworks at 8.15am, or Garlieston (NX 478 462) at 9.30 where the bus will be caught to the start of the walk (remember bus passes if you have one). No dogs allowed on this walk. New members are always welcome but must contact the walk leader on 01988 840268.