Wigtownshire Ramblers Loch Whinyeon Glengap April 2015

This could be my last post for a week or two.

I missed this walk due to my damaged knee not being up to twelve miles.

Saturday the 25th of April

This is a walk we did back in 2011

2011 Walk

The Weaver was walk leader and her excellent report will follow the few pictures received courtesy of 

Shorty and the Chef.

Here's the Weaver's Report

After a brilliantly sunny week it was once more a dull day for the ramblers walk this week. However 19 walkers turned out and met at the Murray centre car park, in Gatehouse, for a twelve mile walk of forest, moor and loch.

The ramble started with a gentle stroll through the woods by the Bush Burn where the banks were bedecked with delicate wood anemones and the faint blue of opening bluebells. Robbers’ Gate was the first stop, to read of the apprehension and hanging of villains who had waylaid their victims near this spot in 1819. A short walk along the road followed, by the wall of the Cally park, built in 1823 and renovated in 2010.

It was an uphill trek which took the party to the woods at Disdow and then a gradual climb along the forest road, past recent logging stacks, to a narrow neck of woodland where a barbed wire fence was negotiated to gain access to fields above High Barlay. Views down to the golf course and over to the distant hills of Cairnsmore and the Clints of Drummore were enjoyed where trees have been recently felled.

After crossing a small burn the walkers had a track through the fields to follow, until moorland approaching Loch Whinyeon was reached. As there had not been much rain recently it was not too boggy and views widened, looking over Gatehouse to the south and eventually Loch Whinyeon itself, spread out to the north, calm and lonely. Between the hills here two hut circles were examined, well preserved with entrances quite clearly to be seen.

A sheltered lunch spot was found by the dam where two geese were disturbed cropping the well-trimmed grass and cuckoo calls resounded across the forest. The dam was formed in 1785, using soil displaced from a tunnel, which took the water four miles down to Gatehouse, giving a good and constant supply for its mills.

Water from the loch is now led off to the east underground to the new Glengap Water Treatment works, the route that the walkers took along the forest road, eventually leading to the old works, built in 1939, renovated in 1986 and now slowly being transformed into flats. Along the way rubbish was picked up and deposited in an accommodating farmer’s dustbin just by the tiny village of Glengap.

A short distance along the council road brought the ramblers to Glengap Bridge where once again the forest was entered alongside the Fuffock Burn. A gentle uphill climb led to a crossing point into Irelandton Moor where the walkers ran into cows and calves, making a detour necessary across the tussocky hills instead of walking along a shell road which makes access to this land very easy. The way was enlivened by the sight of kites flying close above, wheeling round so that everyone had a good view. A yellow lizard was also seen scuttling between the tussocks and boggy pools.

Crossing a wall along the edge of the moor a grassy path was reached where dappled sunshine filtered through the trees on Winnie Hill and made a peaceful ending to the off road walking. Good views across the bay and a downhill walk back to the Robbers’ Gate and the cars completed this long but varied and pleasant walk.

Next week, on May 2nd,there is a choice of a nine mile jaunt along coast and hill in South Ayrshire, or a lower coast path walk from Ballantrae to Finnarts Bay (bring your bus pass), both starting at Finnarts Bay fish factory. For both walks meet at Riverside, Newton Stewart, 9am, Breastworks, Stranraer, 9.15am or the Fish Factory, 10am NX 052 727. If going straight to the start or a new walker wishing to join us, please phone walk leader – for the hill walk 01776 703447, for the lower walk 01581 200256. All are most welcome.

Wigtownshire Ramblers Loch Whinyeon Carstramon May 2013

Sunday the 26th of May 

It's a Sunday walk today, we just got back from our six days in Ireland late last night (posts to follow)

It's a variation on a walk we've done a couple of times. 

February 2012 Walk

Today's leader is the 'Milkmaid' and her report will follow the pictures as usual.

It's a half decent weather forecast.

Knocktinkle Car Park starting point

The view west looks good

A short walk up the road before taking to the slopes to the east. A couple of commemorative stones in the dyke on the path to Loch Whinyeon.

There are nine of us today

Loch Whinyeon 

Cairn on Craigtype

Cairn on the Fell of Laghead

I try out a ten second delay shot to get us all in

Descent to the Laurieston road and ascent to Green Lumps (what a great name for a range of small hills) and Castramont Hill

Lunchtime on Craig of the Fell

There's a kite flying around. The top picture above was taken by my fellow snapper Scoop, while I took the bottom one. I've lightened them to see the shades.

Lunch over.

Our leader gets us moving again.

I get in the picture again thanks to Scoop

Descending to the Little Water of Fleet valley

A.O'K spots this nest after a wee bird flies out from close to her feet.

It's a Meadow Pipit's nest

Crossing the Castramont burn

 Charolais Bull. There's a few of them.

The field is no where near as muddy as last February

As we enter Carstramon Wood we're treated to the most amazing sight of bluebells.

We're not the only ones enjoying the spectacular colour, on our walk through the wood we pass a few other folk

It's not only the bluebells either. The above collage is just a few of the wild flowers we spotted

There's barely a patch in the woods that isn't blanketed with bluebells.

We thought we might have a shower of rain today, but the weather's just getting better

Leaving Carstramon we turn north east at Lagg Bridge for the last stretch

Knocktinkle's in view.....................

........................and the last couple of gates gets us there.

It's been a fabulous walk.

Now we're away for scones in the Galloway Lodge in Gatehouse.

The 'Milkmaid's' report will appear here when I get it.

Wigtownshire Ramblers Report 26/05/13

The previous week’s strenuous rambling holiday in Northern Ireland caused a depleted number of 9 walkers to meet on Sunday in Knocktinkle carpark, Gatehouse of Fleet. The 8 mile circular walk was to cover hills, woodland and farm tracks. Setting off in bright sunshine, accompanied by those ubiquitous sounds of spring, a cuckoo and bleating lambs, the road towards Laghead Farm was followed.

 Just before Laghead Bridge, the anglers’ path across moorland, towards Loch Whinyeon, was taken. The lade tunnel through the hill side and the sluice gate next to the loch were inspected, part of the route by which water used to be brought to Gatehouse mills.

After watching tadpoles in the shallow edges of the loch behind the fishermans hut, and listening to a skylark, a steep but short climb brought the group to the summit of Craigtype. Looking back, over the south east, views were admired over Loch Whinyeon towards Bengray and the Glencap Forest.

The group headed downhill then back up again to reach the highest point of the walk, the Fell of Laghead, at 292m. From here descending towards the junction where a forest road meets the Lauriston Road the group crossed a cattle grid and followed a path leading up the adjacent hillside.

Crossing the Green Lumps, towards Castramont Hill the group paused to watch a red kite repeatedly ride the air currents, then drop something before picking it up and starting again. 

After Castramont Hill a rocky outcrop sheltered from the wind and bathed in sunshine was deemed a worthy spot for lunch. From here, Grobdale and Cairnsmore of Fleet with its summit in the clouds were seen.

The final hill reached was the dome shaped Craig of the Fell. A descent was made towards gates and a ford crossing Castramont Burn. On the way the group surprised a meadow pipit with a nest full of chicks which they were careful not to disturb. A roe deer was seen.

The ford was crossed and Carstramon Woods reached. An endless swathe of bluebells seen at their best carpeted the woodland floor and delicately scented the surroundings. In places this scent was overpowered by the more pungent wild garlic. Wood Anemone, stitchwort, dog’s mercury, and dog violet were also flowering. Green veined white butterflies fluttered in sunny glades. Some children were enjoying climbing through gnarled old coppiced beech trees whilst their parents watched.

Leaving the woods and following the road the walkers soon turned onto the track to Lagg Farm steading and Lagghead farm before crossing some fields back to the cars. Tea and scones were enjoyed at Galloway Lodge in Gatehouse of Fleet before heading home.

The next walk on Saturday 1^st June is the 10 mile A- grade Auchinleck circular,a hill walk taking in Drigmorn and Millfore.

Meet for car sharing at Breastworks, Stranraer 9.00am, Riverside, Newton Stewart 9.30 am or the walk start at Auckinleck Bridge Car Park (NX448 705) at 10am. New members and those going to the start of the walk must phone walk leader 01671 401222. 

Wigtownshire Ramblers Loch Whinyeon Carstramon November 2012

Saturday the 10th of November

It must be an age thing, but I kept insisting I'd missed doing this walk in back February.

If that is the case, then an imposter walked and published my blog because it's here.

February Walk 

The 'Weaver' is once again the leader and her report will follow.

That's wrong, I've just learned that it will be the 'Milkmaid' writing the report.

There are 15 of us today.

The climb to Grey Hill and Benfadyeon

A zoom in to the Water of Fleet

Overlooking Loch Whinyeon

The group on top of Benfadyeon

What was once a sink or blow hole for the tunnel to Gatehouse of Fleet

Loch Whinyeon and sluice inlet

(Just looking back at February's walk, I'm taking much the same pictures. Maybe I should have just copied and pasted and changed the date lol)

The sluice gate

On reaching Craigtype waterproofs appear, it looks like rain

After descending the tussocks and bogs of the Fell of Laghead a solid track makes a nice change

Looks like we have a new member

Down into Castramont Cleugh

Lunch on a grassy knoll (no assassination planned yet !)

One of a number of wooden bridges

Rusco Tower

Colourful Castramont Cleugh

I was once as handsome as the bully boy above.

The woods of Carstramon come next

Carstramon Wood is one of the largest semi-natural broadleaved woodlands in Galloway and comprises a mix of ancient coppiced woodland around the Doon of Castramont and long established woodland in the northern half, planted over 200 years ago. Ancient beech pollards are found throughout the wood which provide valuable dead wood habitat for a number of rare insects. In spring the wood comes alive with the sound of summer migrant birds and in May the woodland floor is spectacularly carpeted with bluebells.

This felled tree proved to be a microcosm for fungi

I'll bet there's loads of creepy crawlies in there too

It's fungi season in the woods

Hello you guys up there

One of the largest of the coppiced trees

Heading over the fields on the last section the lowering sun casts a glow

It's been quite a tough walk today


My fellow snapper Scoop got me in the picture, so here's me

The 'Weaver's'  'Milkmaid's' report will appear here.

Wigtownshire Ramblers report for 10/11/12

On Saturday, 15 ramblers met at Knocktinkle car park, Gatehouse of Fleet, for an 8 mile walk over moorland, hills, and woodland and farm tracks. The weather was bright, but showers were forecast.

The car park is dedicated to the memory of the late Betty Murray-Usher, who along with the Stewartry Drystane Dyking Committee founded the Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain.

Setting off over moorland towards Benfadyeon the group crossed a part of the lade made to transport water to Gatehouse-Of-Fleet.  In 1790 the water power scheme started to supply the new mills in Gatehouse as the Fleet did not provide enough. It cost £1400 and supplied 4 cotton mills, 2 tanneries, a brass foundry and brewery. The water came from the end of Loch Whinyeon through a tunnel and was canalised down the burn to two mill ponds at each side of the village. The system was extensive, originally 6.4 km long and there are over 4.6 km remains.

The climb up Benfadyeon was rewarded with 360 degree views over the surrounding area which included Gatehouse of Fleet and the Solway with the Wigtown peninsula just visible. To the west threatening clouds loomed above Ben John and Cairnharrow . Loch Whinyeon, a popular fishing destination, well stocked with brown trout, could be seen for the first time.

The descent from Benfadyeon disturbed a well camouflaged snipe and a couple of grouse.  On reaching Loch Whinyeon, the end of the lade tunnel and sluice gate for the water power scheme were explored. Today water is extracted from the dam at the opposite side of the loch and is now used as the local water supply.

After leaving the shore of Loch Whinyeon a short steep climb led to the summit of Craigtype where ramblers paused just long enough to don waterproofs before a heavy shower encouraged them to head downhill and back up to the highest point of the walk, the Fell of Laghead at 292m. After descending and crossing the Lauriston road, the forest road led to a footpath following Castramont burn. Due to the recent weather the path here was very muddy.  Lunch was taken close to waterfalls with a red kite circling above.  The burn was followed down to Culreoch farm road with a pause to admire a beautifully patterned new dry stone wall.

A screeching jay announced the entry of the walkers into Carstramon Wood. Bronzed fallen leaves covered the meandering path through predominantly oak woodland with many glorious, gnarled old coppiced beech trees along the way. The remains of charcoal burning platforms from the 19^th century were passed. Oak was chopped and burnt here, to produce charcoal for the iron, copper and brass industry. Timber from Carstramon Wood was also used to make bobbins in the Gatehouse mills.

Leaving the woods the walkers continued along the road to Lagg Farm passing a field of blackface tups with magnificent spiralled horns. A farm track was followed towards Laghead Farm, before crossing some fields to the car park and retiring to Galloway Lodge for tea and cakes.

The next walk, on Saturday the 17^th of November is a 9.5 mile linear walk from Stranraer to Portpatrick. Meet for car sharing at the Riverside, Newton Stewart at 9.30 am. The walk starts at Stranraer Breastworks (NX061 61) at 10.00am. Please remember bus passes (if you have one). Transport back from Portpatrick to Stranraer will be by bus. New members are always welcome.  Contact walk leader on 01776705818.