Wigtownshire Ramblers West Cairngaan December 2013

December the 28th 2013

It's the last walk of the year with the Ramblers. We've had a great time with many memorable walks this year. 

View east from Newton Stewart 

Down at the Riverside carpark in Newton Stewart, there's only me this morning. Everyone else from this end are probably on holiday or have family commitments.  I took this picture from the Minnigaff side of the Sparling Bridge.

Outset from West Cairngaan and the distant Mull of Galloway Lighthouse

So, it's birthday girl the 'Weaver' who's walk it is today and we start from West Cairngaan, her home. Fourteen walkers is a good turnout for this time of year.

There won't be much reporting from me today, the 'Weaver' has such a wonderful literary output, I'd come in a distant second best. Her report will follow the pictures.

Auchie Glen Plantation

This plantation started being planted 21 years ago. The planter is with us today, and still adding more trees. It's a diverse wood with a whole range of trees. He is the 'Weaver's' other half and is far too modest about his achievement. He will be remembered for this.

  

One of the 'Weaver's Fields

A climb through and over a tricky fence takes us out of the glen.

Gate Crossing

 It remains a very cold morning as can be seen by the ramblers apparel.

Overlooking Luce Bay

Time for a chat as we look towards the Mull.

Heading north.........

.............towards Creechan

Holiday House ?

When I take pictures for stitching together at home, I never intentionally tilt the camera. However sometimes the results can give a more interesting result. This house is halfway down the hill between Creechan and Maryport.

Maryport Holiday Park

The most southerly holiday park in Scotland.

Septic tank manhole

Klargester sounded German to me, however looking up the name I find that they are a British company and are part of the Kingspan Group. I can't find out how the name was derived ? Maybe I'm missing something simple. Maybe K.L. Argester (argester being turquoise blue) ? Anyone got the answer ?

Marion's Isle to Back Bay

There a fair variety of sea birds at the water's edge.

Portlennie

Lunchtime watching the shags diving and the oystercatchers flitting about.

Towards Carrickamurlan

There must be good fishing as the shags continue to dive.

Geologically interesting rock formation

At the other side of Luce Bay I've explored Garheugh (pronounced garky) a few times. This stretch needs more exploration by me.

Carrickamurlan Drystane Wall Stile

St Medan's Cave Information Board

Mull of Galloway Trail

Portavaddie

St Medan's cave wasn't located, perhaps the tide was too far in.

Shore path above West Tarbet

On reaching the road between East and West Tarbet, our walk leader gave us the choice of two return routes.One windy and the other maybe not so windy. It was an even split with seven opting to follow the walk leader's deputy along the shoreline. I joined that group. 

Mull Glen

Source of the King's Well

Youchtrie Heugh

It's an adventurous path

Cattle trough

It's a strange day with the light. Wisps and reflections are picked up by the lens. Are there spirits about ?!

Our leader looks like someone's trying to put a spotlight on him.   

Scotland's most southern tip

This is our last view of the turbulent waters as we turn inland.

Standing Stone

This is on the ordnance survey maps. It's on our walk leaders land and he isn't allowed to stand it up until the site has been excavated. I think most standing stones are under the jurisdiction of Historic-Scotland.gov.uk

There are a lot of Scotland's standing stones falling down these days, the winds are getting stronger. 

Mowed Fields

A Stena ferry and Cairngaan

A lovely walk and tasty farmhouse fare to conclude a grand day out. 

Here's the Weaver's excellent report.

Ramblers

Saturday 28th December 2013

The wind receded, the sun appeared and the Ramblers’ Christmas walk became a calm, if cold, respite from the recent turbulent weather.

Fourteen members turned out for a coast walk around the far south of the Rhins. Starting from Cairngaan across field tracks, the shelter of Auchie Glen was soon reached. Bare trees and decaying undergrowth have a beauty all of their own, earthy smells mingling with fresh cold air, and crunching footsteps contrasting with peaceful rustling of branches.

The remains of the recent winds soon caught the walkers as they climbed the lower slopes of the small hill of Slewcreen, to a track leading to Creechan Farm. Beautiful views over Luce Bay and the shoreline from Drummore to the Mull were enjoyed, though the Isle of Man was shrouded in a distant mist.

Maryport Caravan site was the next objective. Here the tide was out and the beach, littered with rocks, hosted a flock of gulls picking their lunch from amongst the briny puddles.

Now on the coast path south, the sun was in the walkers’ eyes and it was difficult to see far, but the well-worn path to Portankill, where the Kirk Burn enters the bay, was an easy route, sometimes on the beach, sometimes high up on the low cliffs.

A leisurely lunch was taken just a little further along the coast in the shelter of Portlennie, where rock formations on the beach were a pleasing foreground to the piping oystercatchers darting to and fro, and shags diving out at sea.

The coast was followed to East Tarbet, with much discussion along the way about the position of a ‘fort’ and ‘St Medan’s Cave’, which are marked on the map and need further exploration to pinpoint.

At the Tarbet, coming into a cold wind which blew along the west coast, the party split, with half opting for a brisk and bracing cliff walk, and the others a gentler way along the road and across fields back to Cairngaan.

Here a welcome hour was spent having a relaxing tea after much needed exercise to combat the overindulgences of Christmas festivities.

Next week walk is a 6.5 mile 'Woods and Nature' walk from South Balfern to Kilsture in the Machars. Meet for car sharing 9 am at the Breastworks, Stranraer, 9.30 am at the Riverside, Newton Stewart, or Kilsture North Car Park (NX 436 502) 10 am. New members or if going straight to the start please phone walk leader, 01988 840268. All are welcome, no dogs please.

Wigtownshire Ramblers Cairngaan December 2012

Saturday the 29th of December 2012.

It's the last walk of the year and we're down near the Mull of Galloway.

Today's walk leader is 'The Weaver' and the deputy walk leader is 'The Milkmaid'

The walk starts at the West Cairngaan farmstead.

Here are the links to a couple of previous walks from here.

January 2011

December 2011

I'll leave it to 'The Weaver' to give her (always excellent) account of the walk after the photographs.

Farm track heading south from West Cairngaan

A happy group at the narrow section of land between East and West Tarbet Bays

Portavaddie to Chapel Wells

The story of Medana

We still haven't ventured down to this cave. Next time I'm in the area !

This is the story.

In the 8th Century, Medana, a beautiful Irish princess and a convert to Christianity, fled her native land to settle with some of her handmaidens in a cave near East Tarbet Bay and, from that bleak spot, ministered to the early local Christian community.

One day, to her horror, Medana was confronted by her former lover who had followed her from Ireland.

To escape him the saintly virgin simply stepped onto a rock which conveniently floated across Luce Bay to Monreith and, in thanksgiving for her escape, she built a chapel at Kirkmaiden in Ferness.

Undaunted, however, at her speedy departure, the besotted Irishman chased her to the Machars and, on being asked what made her so attractive, indicated that her eyes were so beautiful that he could not live without them. At this point, the pious lady plucked them out and cast them at his feet shouting "take them then", whereupon he rushed off homewards very much shaken.

However, on washing her now bleeding face at a small well, known today as St. Medan's Well, Medana's sight was miraculously restored.

She then resumed her religious life and travelled all over Scotland founding several churches, before becoming governess to a Saxon king's daughter

Portlennie

Salty or Sandy kept an eye on us.

I had to eat my words here.

I'd said that you didn't get seals along the eastern shore of the Rhins, like you seldom get seals along the eastern edge of the Machars. It's the first one I've seen on the eastern coast.

There's all you need to know about these gorgeous creatures at Seal Scotland

Descent to Marion's Isle

No shortage of seabirds today

It's lunchtime at Maryport.

Thanks to Scoop for this picture. I avoided the incoming wave.

The gulls are great to watch as they pick away at the seaweed, then lift up just as a wave is about to engulf them.


I take a short bit of video.

It's a steady climb up to Creechan

Here's a wide view

Crossing fields, fences and the Mull of Galloway road to reach Auchie Glen

The last stretch

The Weaver's report

Ramblers’ report Saturday 29th December 2012

The day for the last walk of the year dawned clear and dry, although very windy on the Mull of Galloway, where the last piece of the coast path was to be slotted into place. The east side of the Mull was quite sheltered and the wind was behind the walkers for much of the way, as they walked northwards.

Sixteen ramblers felt in need of exercise after  Christmas indulgence and were well wrapped up to cope with the mud - the result of the last few weeks of rain. From West Cairngaan the way took the farm lane and then a well-made track over to the Mull road, where tarmac ensured a little cleaner surface until East Tarbet was reached. The road was empty, a ferry was being tossed in the distance, and the lighthouse stood in solitude high to the south, the wind scraping the ground free of debris.

With thankfulness the party turned north in the lee of the fields, looking over Luce Bay along the coast path. Stopping to read one of the notice boards, provided by the local Rotary club who had worked hard to make up the coast path, the ramblers learnt the story of St. Medan who for a time is said to have inhabited a cave below the cliffs here, to escape from a persistent paramour. When he eventually caught up with her and remarked on her lovely eyes, she plucked them out and threw them at his feet, escaping by floating on a boulder across Luce Bay to Kirkmaiden, near Monreith, where she miraculously had her sight restored by the healing waters found there. Not one of the ramblers wanted to descend the cliffs to inspect the cave below.

A ladder stile took the company into a field for a few yards before descending lower and walking the rocky foreshore accompanied by the roaring incoming tide. A hare ran by the walkers and a seal bobbed in the water below, curiously watching as they passed. The kirk burn was crossed, where a peculiarity of the pebbly beach means that the burn disappears below the surface for some feet before reappearing to enter the sea - this ensured dry feet for most, as the cliffs were climbed once more, gaining a slippery and muddy path alongside a fence.

After descending once again past Marion’s Isle – a higher piece of land out to sea, which is usually covered by the tide - the beach was walked, and Carrickcundie passed. The tide here was almost to the base of this rocky outcrop, the pebbles slippy and covered with banks of seaweed brought up by the rough weather.

The lunch spot was now in sight, a boulder embankment in front of Maryport Caravan site where the seaweed had brought scores of gulls to feed on the rich pickings of the tide line. They rode the waves and rose in banks as the sea crashed against the shore. This was a highlight of the walk, so many birds around, that the rest of the countryside must have been denuded of their presence. The tide became higher splashing at the feet of the picnickers, carrying the pebbles forward as the water surged and then dragging them back rattling against each other as they went.

It was with reluctance that the walkers continued on their way steeply up through Creechan farmyard and once more on to a farm track which led through fields, high above the cliffs already walked and giving wonderful views backwards to the benign countryside with its rolling pastures, around Drummore, backed by a sea sparkling and dotted with white horses. The sun even made an appearance for this stretch of the day.

The Mull road was crossed to walk the woods of Cairngaan, still muddy but nicely sheltered back to the farm lane where the walk had begun. Tea was served in the farmhouse, a very sociable end to the walks of 2012.

The New Year’s programme starts on Saturday 5th January, 2013, with a 6 mile stroll from the sea shore to the woods, Crook of Baldoon to Kilsture forest. Meet for Car sharing Breastworks, Stranraer 9 am, Riverside, Newton Stewart, 9.30 am or the Crook of Baldoon Car park, NX 442 531. 10 am for the walk start. If going directly to the start please phone walk leader for up to date information 01988 840268. All visitors will be made most welcome to join the ramblers on the walk.

The Wigtownshire Ramblers - Damnaglaur August 2012

It's Saturday the 18th of August and I'm back walking with the Ramblers.

Today's leader is Scoop, with the Weaver as her back up.

We're starting the walk from our leader's wonderful garden.

The press release will be written by the Weaver meaning I can take it easy with the report writing.

Her account will follow the pictures as usual.

So off we go

A circuit of the garden.

Leaving Damnaglaur

Kildonan Croft - Drummore Views

The Kirk Covenant and SS Main and SS Rio Verde Memorials

Scottish War Graves

Kilstay Standing Stone

Path to Kilstay Bay

Sea Wall Strollers...

Sea Wall Chancers ha ha

I had the camera poised for some swimming. 

Short walk to Drummore

Drummore.

The Ship Inn is a Thai restaurant these days.

Drummore Harbour to our lunch on the beach

The unfinished Limpet Hall

The only boat afloat on Luce Bay, and the shoreline walk.

Maryport Pavilion

Creechan Farm and view

Tea and confectionery at Damnaglaur.
Thanks for a great walk Scoop 

Ramblers’ walk August 18th 2012

The optimism of nineteen walkers was well rewarded this Saturday when a misty start to the day’s excursion turned into hot sunshine by its end.

A stroll around the beautifully kept garden of the walk leader at Damnaglaur began what was to be a ramble of continuous delights.  The flocks of geese, turkeys and hens at Buckie Knowe along the road, together with various breeds of sheep, gave an interest which was heightened when the old track across by Kildonan croft was taken, with great views down to the little harbour of Drummore, now filled with the incoming tide, shining in the sun.

The school road was climbed to the church on the hill, the Kirk Covenant, so named because it was built in the year of the signing of the Covenant, 1638, to replace the old Kirkmaiden kirk, the remains of which are to be seen on the Mull farm. A diversion into the graveyard was taken to inspect the memorial to those who died on the SS Main, which was torpedoed by a German submarine in 1917. The ship was raised and visitors were allowed on board for a small fee, the money was used to pay for this memorial.

Now the walkers took a route down the dappled Glen Road and across a field to view the standing stone near Kilstay. This is thought to mark an early Christian site and burial ground which is adjacent to another early church recorded nearby.

A little dog thought to join the walkers just at the corner, but was deterred by its owner, and the sea wall was taken to by well-balanced people for the next stretch of the walk, which now took the route of the new coast path. Entertainment was provided by a couple who walked along a ledge above the tide, which was not deep at this point, but gave a few wet feet before the road was once more gained.

A colourful garden at the entrance to the village was inspected and the abandoned shore road was followed past flowery and picturesque cottages, now a quiet corner fronting the sea. The harbour, with a half built or half demolished shed spoiling the view, was passed, and an old eighteenth century mill inspected, with its wheel and fast flowing water from the leat still intact.

Along Cailiness road a picnic site with comfortable seats on the beach welcomed the ramblers for a lunch break, a pleasant interlude with birds flying low over the water and the rushing music of waves close by.

A path cut through rampant wild flowers, including the now seeding cups of wild carrot and stands of aromatic mugwort, provided an interesting specimen of ‘robin’s pincushion’ on a wild rose – a hedgerow gall, looking like a mossy ball, which is caused by the minute gall-wasp which lays its eggs in the rose bud in spring.

The caravan site at Maryport was soon reached and the new coast path was left, to climb steeply uphill up past Creechan Farm, the exertion rewarded by splendid views over to the Mull and its lighthouse.

Now it was only a short distance through field and along the road back to Damnaglaur where delicious tea in the sunshine awaited hungry walkers, having completed a most pleasant and relaxing circular excursion in the southernmost part of this area.

Next week’s walk is a 6mile trek along forest roads, by tussocks and heather to the summit of Craignelder. Meet for car sharing at Breastworks Stranraer, 9.00am, Riverside, Newton Stewart, 9.30am, and the Red Deer Car Park,( NX 521731) 10am. If going directly to the start please phone walk leader 01671 403351. All walkers will be made welcome.