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-Girvan Byne Hill Circular May 2011

NB. This walk has already been posted on another blog.
For an alternative view visit.
Gordon and Anne's Blog


Yours Truly has again done the press report for this walk so here goes.

Ramblers Walk Report 

Saturday 28th May 2011

An overcast morning with a threat of showers saw 20 walkers gather at Girvan's South Car park for the walk.

They began by heading south along the coast, past the Ainslie Manor Home and Craigskelly.

Reaching Shalloch Mill they turned east towards the Byne Hill Caravan Park.Lots of miniature donkeys grazed happily in the fields.

A gradual climb took them through the farm at Brochneil where a small classic Austin A35 car caught the eye of some of todays walkers.

Once through the farm,a short distance along the hardcore road brought them to a gate to begin climbing Byne Hill.

A sometime rocky climb saw them reach a point where they could access a path along the western edge of Byne Hill.

Occasional stops to admire the views were taken.Even with the cloud cover, Girvan and the coast up to the Turnberry Lighthouse were clearly visible.Ailsa Craig was prominent throughout the walk.

A two carriage train heading north passed below and to the east.

A Collage of Moi courtesy of Scoop

Overlooking Girvan

Next they dropped down from Byne Hill to the neglected Crauford Monument.

Sitting above Ardmillan House, the monument commemorates Major A.C.B. Crauford, who took part in the capture of the Cape of Good Hope in 1795.

From here they now climbed Mains Hill and took to the lower slopes of Fell Hill south westerly.Lots of bog cotton and wild orchids blossomed along the route.A mighty shower of driving rain and hail soon drenched the group.

Next they negotiated the fairly steep sided Barniecairn Glen.By now the rain had stopped.

Next traversed was a field of cows and calfs which brought them down to Rea Glen.

Reaching the radio and telephone mast at Kilranny above Kennedy's Pass on the A77, they stopped for a lunch break.The wind and rain had cleared completely by now and views across to Arran and the Firth of Clyde were afforded.

After lunch they now headed easterly along a farm track before taking to the slopes of Lochton Hill.

The lower braes of Grey Hill were now before them and a steady climb took them to the 297 Mtr summit.Another shower of rain,less in intensity than the previous one was soon to blow over.

The group now made their way north along the summit ridge onto Fell Hill and into the Grey Hill Grassland Nature Reserve.A variety of wild flowers were admired.

Next they dropped down to the boggy area of Craiglea.From here they would make their way anti clockwise around the lower slopes of Byne Hill.

A few gates,barbed wire fences and drystone walls had been crossed over the course of the walk.Now a wall and a fence together was carefully crossed to bring them down to the hardcore track at Balaclava Wood.

This then took them back to Brochneil Farm,from where they retraced their outward route back to the car park.

Another fine walk was concluded by a number of walkers enjoying tea and cakes at the garden centre cafe.

The next walk, on Saturday the 4th of June will be a "Moors,Woods and Railway" walk from Grobdale to Loch Skerrow of 10 miles. 

Meet at the Riverside car park Newton Stewart at 9.30 am,the Breastworks, Stranraer at 9.00 am for car sharing, or at the walk start at the Grobdale Road End (NX 617 627) at 10.00am.

New members are always welcome, for more information or if going to the walk start, contact the walk leader on 01776 840226