Wigtownshire Ramblers Auchencrosh Ballantrae Circular July 2014

Saturday the 26th of July

After a bad night's sleep and still feeling below par, I decided not to go on this walk.

It turned into a good ten miler, and though chances are I'd have finished the walk, I'd have still been recovering from it now.

But the good news is I'm definitely on the mend. 

I managed a fair walk yesterday (Sunday, I even broke into a run !) and today I managed to cut my hedge with no after effects. I'll be out walking quite a bit this week.

My doctor thinks I may have had one of those unexplained viral infections or even the Epstein Barr virus.

It looks as thought a good walk was had however. Shame the rain spoiled the conclusion.

The photographs are courtesy of Miss Goodnight, Scoop and Shorty, the report was written by Shorty.

Here are the pictures, apologies if they're not in order.

G.I Joe led the walk. 

Wigtownshire Ramblers – Saturday 26 July 2014 – Auchencrosh to Ballantrae Circular

After the recent hot weather the grey skies and gentle breeze gave more reasonable temperatures which made a welcome start for the 27 ramblers who assembled at the Auchencrosh crossroads on the A77 north of Glenapp.  After a cheerful briefing from our leader we set off across the A77 and along the county road towards Kilantringan and the coast.  The tarmac soon gave way to stone as we followed the track past High Ballochdowan, admiring the cattle and calves in the adjacent fields and amused by the young pheasants which scuttled ahead of us as we walked.

On reaching the junction with the Ayrshire Coastal Path we turned north along the Path towards Ballantrae.  The track took us downwards above the Shallochwreck Burn in a bracken and bramble clad valley which lead down to the sea.  It was reminiscent of the Devonshire coombes found below Exmoor, the effect enhanced by the higher temperatures as we were sheltered from the breeze.  Once on the shingly shore at Currarie Port we found a new track, probably constructed for the Ireland electricity interconnector.  Unfortunately, the winter storms had washed much of the fill over the large culverts on the Ballochdowan Burn.  A little scrambling got us across and we climbed up the hill and through the freshly cut bracken around Donald Bowie hill and onto a path above the cliffs.  There were fine views over the calm sea with Corsewall lighthouse and the ferries visible to the south and Ailsa Craig just appearing through the murk.

We followed the cliffs with the many small inlets as far as Wilson’s Glen where we stopped for lunch sitting on the rocks above the burn in the weak sunshine.  The burn in the valley was no more than a trickle after the recent dry weather.  After refreshment we continued northwards along the cliffs and around Downan Hill. We then turned inland and joined the tarmac road heading towards Ballantrae.  The sky was now becoming threatening with a bank of dark cloud to the west.  As we followed the road we had fine views of Ballantrae and Knockdolian Hill – one of our favourite walks.

We continued along the road and then turned back past the cemetery and then took the path up the glen of the Kilphin burn.  The first section through a young plantation was almost overgrown with the ground surprisingly damp.  We soon reached the larger trees and the path opened out.  There had been some wind damage since our last visit with one huge fir tree snapped and fallen into the burn.  Higher up the glen we were warned that no more than three people should be on the old swing bridge at one time.  It was decided that some of the larger members should cross alone.

The first drops of rain were felt as we proceeded up through the trees and by the time we reached Smyrton it had become a steady drizzle.  Waterproofs were donned and we carried on through the village and past the memorial hall.  At the crossroads in the green lane we turned back towards Auchencrosh in what was now a considerable downpour.  We soon reached the converter station and regained our cars after an enjoyable, if slightly soggy, ten mile walk.  We then repaired to the Merchant House in Cairnryan where we received the usual copious and excellent tea and cakes.

Next Saturday’s walk will be the popular figure of 8 walk around the Mull of Galloway starting from the Gallie Craig car park at 10:00. (NX 154 304)  Meet at the Riverside car park in Newton Stewart at 09:00 or the Breastworks car park at 09:15 to share transport.  New walkers are always welcome but please contact the walk leader on 01776 840636 for full details.

Wigtownshire Ramblers-Currarie Glenapp

It's Saturday the 15th of November 2008,and we're back in one of our most popular areas.Todays walk starts just south of Ballantrae,and were heading south taking in some of Ayrshires south western coastline.It's a linear walk,so a few vehicles have been left opposite Glenapp Church to return drivers.

Todays group of 21 includes 2 newcomers.We've met up at the cemetery,and our walk leader comes up with the old classic 'Welcome to the dead centre of town'. It looks like a good day weatherwise.

We're on a tarmac road for the first part of the walk.Behind us we can see Ballantrae and Knockdolian,which we recently climbed.

We're passing Kinniegar,Downan and Langdale farms,and as i take pictures i'm lagging behind a little.Once through the farms though i'm back in touch,they've had to slow down for a wooden kissing gate...

...with this poetic anti litter notice on it.

Now we're on the coastal path proper.

Having skirted Downan Hill,we're just above Wilson's Glen...


...time for a rest.Can i get the group interested in a picture?

Continuing on we reach the deep narrow beauty of Currarie Glen.The track down here is hewn out of the rock.

Now down at the shore,we'll have lunch.

There's some well hidden undersea cables here..The Moyle Interconnector

The Moyle Interconnector links the electricity grids of Northern Ireland and Scotland through submarine cables running between converter stations at Ballycronan More in Islandmagee, County Antrim and Auchencrosh in Ayrshire. The link has a capacity of 500MW.

I was hoping to do a 360 degree panorama here,but i was balancing on a rock above the burn,trying to keep my horizontal views on an even keel.After taking ten or so pictures,i was three quarters twisted round.I settled on 270 degrees.

Panorama of Currarie Port on CleVR.com

With big waves crashing over the rocks,this is a gem of a place.I could have stayed a lot longer.In the words of Arnie 'I'll be back'

A lone seal waves us goodbye.

Now we turn back inland,passing this derelict cottage.The roof hasn't completely collapsed yet.Perhaps it hasn't been empty for too long.

A pastoral view looking over to Carlock Hill.

There was a case earlier this year,where a farmer was sued when a motorcyclist collided with one of his cows.A rambler had failed to close a gate and the cow had got out onto the road.I think the case is still ongoing.That certainly won't happen with our group.


We've now got a view over to the North Rhins,and the mouth of Loch Ryan.A Stena Line ferry comes in,while a P & O goes out.

Now we're in between Penderry and Blarbuie hills,and it's all downhill from here.There's a bit of excitement when a Hen Harrier is spotted.


The long sloping track along the side of Sandloch brings the busy A77 into view.Another bird of prey seen here,it looked like a buzzard.

This will be the last gate.


This ex army truck was followed by a number of up market four track vehicles.One rambler commented there appeared to be a lot of tweed being worn by the occupants.This was a shooting party,as we could here later.The truck obviously carried the beaters.

The walk is almost finished as we stop at the bridge over the 'Water of App'.

A new sign's been erected detailing South Ayrshire coastal walk.

Taking in amongst other's,Turnberry,Ayr and Troon the walk goes to Skelmorlie by Wemyss Bay,where a boat can be taken over to Rothesay on Bute.

It's only a hundred miles to Skelmorlie.This sounds a better proposition than the Southern Upland Way.(for me that is)


Now waiting for our cars to get back,we hear the shooting start.A not too bright pheasant starts flying towards the area where the gunshot is coming from.

...a few ramblers cross the A77 to look at 'The Glen Church'.
Beautiful weather,lovely company and the discovery of Currarie Port made me forget my aches and pains for a while.This was a lovely walk