Wigtownshire Ramblers Glasserton June 2013

I did the recce with the 'Stationmaster' on Monday the 10th. Tuesday until Thursday I was well out of it. No runny nose or cough, just a feeling of fatigue and aches and pains. Friday I began feeling a little better. I think it was one of those things that are classed as viral infections. 

Walk and Recce 15th June 2013

This is a walk that's becoming a regular outing.

2010 Walk 2012 Walk

Apparently it's been pouring down in Stranraer. Fourteen walkers are out today. The walk report will follow the images.

Walk start the historic Glasserton Church

Home farm doo'cot

(The lower image is the merging of images I took on an earlier visit. I saw no signs that the pigeons or doves were still using it)

One of several gates

Derelict house at Rouchan

Placid cows and one very angry bull

Gate to Carleton

Derelict cottage near Carleton House

(I bet the last stew in that pot tasted delicious)  

Climbing Carleton Fell with the Mull of Galloway behind

Cottongrass, sheep pen, drystone dyke

I should know what this is, I'm sure I've photographed it before.

Trigpoint ahead, flush bracket

TP1918
(not everyone crossed the stile to visit)

The Machermore's Millstone

 Common Spotted Orchid

Lunch at Laggan Pond

Cup and Ring Marked Rock

Canmore notes

I was telling some walkers about Roxy the Golden Eagle chick from 2010.

My 'In flight' pictures weren't all that good

Despite the name Roxy is a male

Here's his tracking page

He was last seen around the Lake District

On the recce, we headed down to the shore. The next couple of collages are from the shoreline

It was certainly colourful

A cattle feeding spring ?

Track around Glasserton Fell

Claymoddie

The site of Glasserton House

White Daffodils
We got lucky with the weather.

Wigtownshire Ramblers Walk Report 15th June 2013

A dry but windy morning greeted the 14 walkers assembled at Glasserton church car park. The forecast was for showers throughout the day.
Bluebells and Celandine flourished in the adjoining woodland. A farm track brought the group to Glasserton Mains cottages from where they headed north-west along the old drovers track.

Reaching a row of derelict cottages by the Row plantation a short stop was taken. On a previous walk the leader had learned through the internet the names of the occupants in 1684. Thanks to the censuses of 1841 and 1851 the leader now had more up to date information. It was interesting to note how some of the older children of 1841 now had children of their own in 1851.

Continuing on, another old cottage complete with an old fireplace was explored. As views to the north and the Fell of Barhullion opened up, an angry bull let the group know of his displeasure at their passing.

Reaching Craiglemine the route now changed direction to the south-west and Carleton. An adjoining field had a lone cockerel seeking refuge from the passing group.
Upon reaching Bessie Yon, another derelict house was explored. It contained a delightful old fireplace complete with pot hanger, pot, grate and oven. Although quite rusty, it gave a glimpse of a long since passed way of life.

Now an easterly route was taken over the rising undulating fells. Sheep and lambs warily stayed their distance.
Progress by the means of stiles and gates saw the group reach TP1918, the Triangulation Pillar on Carleton Fell. All round views included Wigtown Bay, Luce Bay, the Mull of Galloway and the Isle of Man.
Sticking to the high ground, they next made their way to the south western end of the fell where brightly coloured gorse flourished. Here there are physical features which include Fox Hunt, Needles Eye and Kirk of Drumatye. The feature that could be easily identified was carved into a rocky outcrop. At almost a metre wide it is the unfinished Machermore’s Millstone. A cold wind blew around the millstone so after photographs and a quick distribution of sweeties the walk resumed.

A fairly steep descent now brought the walkers to Laggan Pond where a lunch break was taken.
After lunch a short but stiff climb was made to reach the top of Laggan Camp the site of a large promontory fort. Terraces, ramparts and the entrance could still be identified.

Undulating fields now led east to rocky outcrops between Broad Lane Wood and the Fell of Carleton.

Here, on a rock looking like an upturned rowing boat were at least 15 cup and ring-marks. A discussion on the origins of this prehistoric art form prompted the comment “bored shepherds”. Perhaps true?

A few more undulations led to a farm track circling the Fell of Glasserton.
The route now took them inland to the crossroads of Claymoddie from where the estate road to Glasserton was accessed.

Reaching the site where Glasserton House stood the group learned a little of its history and were shown some old photographs gleaned from the internet. To the rear, the outlines of the lawned terraces, gave a good impression of how majestic it once was. Waterproofs were now donned as the predicted showers were imminent.

Now the group moved on to look at the 18th century Glasserton Home farm. A new roof and wall have been incorporated with some of the original structure to create a grain store. The surrounding cottages and a doo'cot also date back to the 18th century.
From here it was a short distance back to the car park and the end of a mostly dry and interesting walk.

Welcome refreshments were enjoyed at the Whithorn Trust Visitors Centre.

The next walk on Saturday the 22nd of June is a C+ walk from Ballantrae to Knockdolian and back followed by a barbecue on the shore. Meet for car sharing at the Breastworks, Stranraer 9.30am,the Riverside, Newton Stewart 9.00am or the walk start at the Ballantrae Shore Car Park (NX 082 825) at 10am. For further details or if going to the start please phone walk leader 01292 441268.  New members are always welcome 

Wigtownshire Ramblers Glasserton Circular February 2012

Saturday the 11th of February 2012.
 It's not a very nice day, and the forecast isn't a good one.
Today's walk is a variation on This One we did two years ago, and This One we did last year.
It rained initially, but the mist stayed with us throughout the day.
I thank my good friend Scoop for contributing at least 50% of today's pictures.
I'm again the leader and the report will follow the images.

Ruined house near Carleton

The walk leader

Cooking range (That pot won't boil again)

Fun and frolics crossing the stile

Trig point (Also in the picture are the walkers who wouldn't cross because we'll be heading back that way

A wet Carleton Fell

The Machermore Mill Stone

We also had lunch here

Now we're heading to Laggan Camp and Pond

Laggan Pond as it was on Wednesday's recce's

A line of nervous sheep

Another obstacle out of the way

Above Claymoddie beach 

A well closed gate to keep the cattle in

The lawned terraces of  the now  non-existent Glasserton House

Glasserton Walk Report

A dreich misty morning greeted the 15 walkers assembled at Glasserton church car park. The forecast was for much of the same throughout the day, but the group as usual were optimistic.
Blankets of snowdrops and a picturesque dead elm tree brought the group to Glasserton Mains cottages from where they headed north-west along the old drovers track.

The first point of interest was the row of derelict cottages by the Row plantation. Here the walk leader had a list of the names he'd found on the internet of the occupants of these cottages back in 1684.

Continuing on, another old cottage complete with an old fireplace was explored. After passing Rouchan Pond the normally extensive views of the Machars were non existent due to the mist.
Movement of cattle had muddied field entrances and mud became a prominent feature of the walk.
Reaching Craiglemine the route now changed direction to the south-west and Carleton.
Reaching Bessie Yon, another derelict house was explored. It contained a delightful old fireplace complete with pot hanger, pot, grate and oven, and although very rusty gave a glimpse of a long since past way of life.

Now an easterly route was taken over the rising undulating and boggy fells.
After carefully crossing a slippery stile over a drystane dyke the group continued upward to reach another drystane dyke. The trig point at the northern end of the Fell of Carleton stood twenty feet away, but only the intrepid few crossed the stile for a closer look. By now the rain had almost ceased, but the mist still had a damp feel to it.

After crossing more rough undulating terrain the next objective of the Machermore's Millstone was reached.
Carved into a rocky outcrop almost a metre wide is an unfinished millstone.
The walk leader had heard a story of it being unfinished due to the outbreak of war. More likely is the local tradition that says the millstone was carved in the late 19th century by workmen rebuilding Carleton farm.

The outcrop of rock, known as Mill Stone Howe proved to be an ideal spot to enjoy a spot of lunch. Although the mist remained, the rough foamy tide at the Point and Lochans of Cairndoon could be seen clearly.

After lunch the outcrop known as Fox Hunt was skirted to reach Laggan Pond and Camp. Another drystane dyke was crossed to reach the top of this large promontary fort.
The amateur archaeologists in the group enjoyed identifying ramparts, ditches and the entrance.

The next section of the walk was along the cliff top overlooking Luce Bay. The unique shingle beach of Claymoddie came into regular view.
After more obstacles including barbed wire fences, dykes, burns and unopenable gates the farm track at Claymoddie was reached.
The route now took them inland to the crossroads of Claymoddie from where the estate road to Glasserton was accessed.

Reaching the site where Glasserton House stood the group learned a little of it's history and owners. To the rear, the outlines of the lawned terraces, blanketed by snowdrops gave a good impression of how majestic it once was.

Now the group moved on to look at the 18th century Glasserton Home farm.A new roof and wall have been incorporated with some of the original structure to create a grain store.The surrounding cottages and a doo'cot also date back to the 18th century.
From here it was a short distance back to the car park and the end of an interesting if somewhat misty walk.
The next walk on Saturday the 18th of February is a C+ circular walk from Auchenmalg to Stairhaven.
Meet for car sharing at the Breastworks, Stranraer 9.30am,the Riverside, Newton Stewart 9.00am or the walk start at the Cock Inn Car Park (NX 236 518) at 10am. For further details or if going to the start please phone walk leader 01988 840268. New members are always welcome  
 

A walk on Carleton Fell

Friday the 23rd of April 2010.
No descriptions or commentary today....just pictures.