Wigtownshire Ramblers New Luce Circular November 2014

Saturday the 8th of November 2014.

This walk followed a very similar route to one we did in October 2012 

October 2012 Walk

Shorty is the walk leader and his report will follow the images.

Friday night's weather forecast was a reasonable one. By Saturday it had completely changed.

We assembled at the New Luce Memorial Hall.
All walkers were prepared for the weather.
A light shower arrived in time for our departure.

New Luce is a very picturesque village.

This cottage has a fine new coat of paint.

Gun Dog !

Just north of the village we took the road east towards Barnshangan.
This was just one of several fine bulls we saw. I think he's the same fella I photographed in 2012.

At Barnshangan we turned north to follow a farm track.

The weather at this point was only light showers, that would soon change.

Fungi grew profusely in the grass. Watch out for a good picture of the large mushroom later in the post.  Scoop captured a beauty.

A mile on from Barnshanagan we reached the ruins of the Knockibae Lead Mines
I had a little rummage but never found anything valuable.

From the mines we took to the first of the moors across Big Milldown hill, the weather worsened.
We descended to the bridge to Quarter Farm over the Cross Water of Luce.
It's a fine piece of engineering built by the Lanarkshire Steel Company.

A farm track, a short road walk and we took a track up to the ruins of a one time substantial two storey dwelling on the slopes of Craigbirnoch Fell.
Here we took a short break for lunch. With very little shelter from the now incessant rain most walkers were keen to move along. Me and the Weaver were less keen since we'd bagged the best spot.
More tussocky ground took us over Craigbirnoch Fell

Looking down on Craigbirnoch Farm

After by-passing the farm we arrived at this bridge.

This is the main Stranraer - Ayr railway line and was part of the Glasgow South Western Line.
Is it still classed as part of that line ?

Following the line of the railway we encountered more tussocks, more rain and an awkward dyke crossing. Water has now permeated even the best waterproofs. Dryness is not an option and a cavalier couldn't care less attitude abounds. Shall we dance.

We waved to the few passengers on the train.

A solid track was a relief after the tussocks. A four carriage train heading for Stranraer passed by.

I couldn't pass this bright bit of fungus without taking a picture.


On reaching Barlure Farm, our leader Shorty gave us the option on/of whether to continue across the fields or take to the road. The vote was unanimous.

Barlure - Stair Lodge junction.

The last soggy stretch.

A great walk for the soul. It's a great walk in good weather as our 2012 recce proved. Maybe third time lucky.

Thanks to the New Luce folk for allowing us the use of the War Memorial Hall to get out of our wet gear. 

The Kenmuir Arms had a wonderful welcome of cream topped buttered scones with lashings of tea and coffee.

A great finish to a wet day.

Here's a great selection of pictures from 

SCOOP

Here's Shorty's report.

Wigtownshire Ramblers – Saturday 8th November 2014 – New Luce North Circular

The weather forecast had promised a bright morning with cloud and rain spreading in later.  However, as the eighteen ramblers assembled at the Memorial Hall in New Luce the skies were already lowering and spots of rain started as we set off.  We walked up through the attractive village and took the Barrhill road.  Just past the cemetery we turned onto the Barnshangan road and climbed above the Cross Water of Luce.  The cattle in the field eyed us balefully as they solemnly chewed away at the bright green kale.  A shepherd’s quad bike puttered away in an adjacent field.  Otherwise we seemed to have the world to ourselves.

WE followed a farm track northwards and then took to the fields as we climbed up to the remnants of the Knockibae Lead Mine.  First developed in the 18th century, it had a chequered career, opening and closing several times over the next century as the price of lead encouraged further attempts.  We thought that the difficulty of exporting the heavy ore from such a remote site counted against its chances of success.  All that remains now is a series of ridges and furrows and the ruins of a small building.

Leaving the mine we passed through a narrow gateway and out onto the open moor.  We climbed to the rocky summit of Craigiegower and then across the damp moorland to Wee Mildown and Big Milldown, neither of which were impressive hills but afforded good views over the valley of the Cross Water.  The hills to the east were somewhat obscured by the now persistent rain.  We carried on across the moor following quad bike and cattle tracks and dropped down to the river at the Quarter Bridge.  The river ran well under the bridge but had dropped considerably from the recce two days earlier.

Turning away from the river we followed the farm track back to the Barrhill road which we traced northwards across a cattle grid and then turned onto an overgrown track up to the ruin of Cairn Side farm.  This had been a substantial farmhouse, unusual in that it had had a full two stories in the main house, apparently the result of an extension to the original building.  Two further single storey rooms had been added to the rear.  In spite of all this effort it appears to have been very short lived.  There was no sign of any buildings on the 1848 maps.  It appeared in good condition in 1895 but was a roofless ruin by 1908.

The rain was now a steady downpour and it was decided pause for lunch taking what shelter we could from the ruins.  A speedy lunch was consumed and we soon headed off up the hill behind the house.  Finding a gate we crossed onto the open hill and over the ridge towards Craigbirnoch.  Following a route through a series of gates we passed below the farm and made our way to the bridge over the railway.  It had been our intention to follow a route westwards to Kilfeddar but unfortunately the Tongue Glen Burn running in spate during the recce had prevented progress in that direction.  So we turned southwards down the side of the railway.  The ground was very wet and we squelched our way through the tussocks and mires and across small burns to the fields above the Main Water of Luce.  As we struggled on a train passed on the railway, sweeping northwards towards Girvan.  Several walkers waved cheerfully to the train and several of the passengers responded.  They seemed to be somewhat amazed to see anyone on these bleak moors.

We soon reached the track from Barlure to Kilfeddar which we thankfully took southwards enjoying the shelter of the trees along the bank of the river.  Water ran over sections of the track but we were all so damp already that the puddles were largely ignored.  When we reached Barlure a very short debate decided that we should follow the road back to New Luce rather than the more scenic way across the fields.  So a quick route march brought us back to the village.  We were very thankful to be able to use the facilities in the village hall to change our soaking clothes before our soggy but cheerful group retired to the Kenmuir Arms which the landlords had opened specially to provide us with much needed refreshment and warmth.  As we left the village the sun emerged from behind the clouds and the lower Luce Valley was bathed in glorious sunshine.

Next week there will be two walks: a strenuous 10 walk along the hills above Glen App and a more leisurely walk to the south of Ballantrae.  Both the walks will start and finish at the Auchencrosh cross roads on the A77 (NX 095 790).  Meet at the Riverside car park in Newton Stewart at 09:00 or the Breastworks car park in Stranraer at 09:30 to share transport.  The walk will start at 10:00.  New walkers are always welcome but please contact the walk leader on 01465 712180 (hill walk) or 01581 200256 (low level walk) for full details.

Wigtownshire Ramblers New Luce January 2014

25th January 2014

Got up feeling fairly rough this morning. As well as my IBS still not settled, I must have slept awkward and my back was hurting. Strong coffee and my prescription drugs soon got me on a level plane.

The weather forecast gives heavy showers and occasional sunny spells. 

Today's walk is being led by the 'Musician', so I'm going along.

It's an amalgam of previous walks.

July 2008

April 2012 

October 2012

The 'Musicians' report will follow the pictures.

The Trysts - Gowk Nest Wood, Lagafater, Bloody Wiel and Black Pot. I've yet to log the 5th name and I can't find it on the net. Anyone know it ?

I'm only using my little camera again. We're now heading east towards Kilhern Farm, it's farther than I remember. There's no let up in the weather but at least it's on our backs at the moment.

At Kilhern farm I looked up at the pump house but couldn't find the old well. It's there somewhere, I found it in 2008

The old farm at Kilhern is even more dilapidated since we were last here. The 'Farmer' remembers this as a working farm. From here we turned north into the sharp hailstones. 

The fence climb taking us to the Caves of Kilhern

Memories of a much nicer day at the Caves

A muddy gateway.

 The picture above is a study of dimensions. How tall is 'Shorty' ? Is the walker to his left really as small as his rucksack ? Does his rucksack double as a TARDIS ?

View to Artfield Fell Wind Farm

Back on to tarmac just below Dranigower.

On reaching the bridge over the Cross Water of Luce to the Loups of Barnshangan waterfall, a few walkers decided to forego the second half of the walk. As my drugs were wearing off, I didn't need much persuading, my back was giving me stick.

Here are the other 'Copper Outers'.

Meanwhile, the remaining walkers crossed over and lunched by the waterfall.

Thanks to 'Miss Goodnight' for the rest of the pictures.

Loups of Barnshangan

Lunch

The brolly's no longer required (yet)

Near the Knockibae Lead Mines.

I felt a little guilty at not having completed the walk, but once I got back home I realized I'd done the right thing. I did little the rest of the day except rest.  

The 'Musician' coped brilliantly leading her first walk in such adverse weather.

Here's her report. 

Wigtownshire Ramblers

Saturday 25th January 2014

Today's walk was a 7 and a half mile circular round New Luce,over moorland and fields.
There were twenty-one intrepid ramblers who met in pouring rain at the village hall in New Luce. Very kindly the facilities at the hall were made available for our use. Due to the weather we started the walk on the road south to the Southern Upland Way track. On the way we looked at one of the trysts, one of the artworks by Matt Baker and assistant Jo Warner. From Cruise we walked easterly uphill on the Southern Upland way which was more like a burn due to the phenomenal amount of rain recently. Various muddy areas were negotiated with good humour and Kilhern ruins and then the Caves of Kilhern were reached. These caves are chambered burial cairns made 4000-5000 years ago, four of them, the northern chamber having a capstone.
As we were coping with hail showers and gusts of wind we postponed our lunch-break until we had more shelter. We crossed fields down to the river across the narrow old bridge and sat on banking above the waterfalls. Miraculously the sun came out and we enjoyed our picnic under a blue sky. We then continued on a stone track from Barnshangan farm signposted for the disused lead-mines originally working in the 18th century. We spent a short time exploring this area and then after trudging across sodden fields and along muddy tracks towards Knockiebae we had another drenching as the next deluge arrived. We then managed the final one and a half miles on tarmac back to New Luce. The village pub was shut for owners holidays so we drove to the County Golf Club for our welcome refreshments in the dry and of course talked of our enjoyable walk.

The next walk, on Saturday the 1st of February is an 11 mile figure of eight B- walk around Loch Goosey.
Meet for car sharing at the Breastworks Car Park, Stranraer at 09.00 am, the Riverside, Newton Stewart at 09.30 am. or the walk start at the Forest Road entrance on the A714, map ref NX295810, (after Creeside Farm but before Eldrick Kennels and Cattery). New members are always welcome.  If going to the walk start or for more information, contact walk leader on 01671 401222.

Waiting (for) High Tides

I took a detour home from Stranraer yesterday Monday the 19th of August.

The only time I ever saw a Pine Marten was in these woods.

I didn't see any, but left the video running while I watched the trout breaking the surface.

YouTube Link

I was thinking I should add some music, then I thought about my grandson's compositions.

Callum on Sound Cloud

The two clips, 'Waiting' and 'High Tides' fitted my footage and also seemed right for the video.

It's a long clip and I'm probably biased, but I love it.

Wigtownshire Ramblers Training Weekend April 2013

This weekend has been a leadership training weekend with Karen Inkster the Led Walks Officer from the Ramblers Association.

This was the blurb.

"The Wigtownshire Ramblers are running a walk leader training event focusing on how to deal with emergencies on walks and navigation training. Karen Inkster, Led Walks Officer, will be doing a presentation on how to handle emergency situations on the Saturday and then offering navigation training on the hill on the Sunday."

I've written a report for the press which can be read after the pictures.

My thanks to Scoop for her contribution of photographs.

Not much dialogue on this post as it's getting late and I'm ready for a cup of cocoa.

Karen standing, New Luce Village Hall

Ready to pace out one hundred metres

Now back a hundred metres. (We were scattered about twenty metres, it looks like some folk take shorter steps going uphill)

A group picture. Who's that lounger on the left ?

I wonder why there are more smiley faces when I'm not in the picture. I don't know whether to take it as a compliment or a snub !.

Heading towards Barnshangan

I managed to reunite the lost lamb with her mother.

A couple of youngsters and the latest in scarecrows

We watched this slow-worm slither and slide for a while.

Here's the report.

Wigtownshire Ramblers Training Weekend.

Saturday the 20th of April.

Twenty ramblers gathered at 7pm on Saturday evening at Stranraer Fire Station for the start of a leadership training weekend with Karen Inkster, the Ramblers National Led Walks Officer.

The evening's session was a presentation on how to handle emergency situations and on walk leader training. 

Subjects covered included leaders check-lists, responsibilities, integrating new walkers, weather, planning walks, insurance and safety and good practice.

Karen also passed on many useful internet links and tips.

A break was taken mid way through the session to enjoy tea and biscuits. Thanks must go to the fire services for the use of their facilities.

Sunday the 21st of April

New Luce village hall was the venue for the start of the second day's training. The first two hours were spent in a classroom environment learning of the various types of maps, national grid lines, map symbols, map orienting, grid reference identification, contour lines. This was followed by learning of the components of a compass, taking compass readings and magnetic variations. A lunch break was taken before the group took to the hills to practice what they'd learned.

A lot of fun was had pacing out one hundred metres and finding out that mobile phones and cameras affected compasses. Karen had a number off tasks for the group to solve. These included pacing out and changing compass bearings sometimes with unexpected results.

On the hills east of New Luce a lamb was reunited with her mother, bogs were crossed and the remnants of a cairn were hopefully found.

After accessing the tarmac road east of Hardcroft this was followed back to New Luce. 

After stowing away walking equipment the group proceeded to the Kenmuir Arms to enjoy after walk refreshments. Top marks to the pub management who had the lounge readily prepared for this influx and where the tea, coffee and scones were of the highest order. 

Karen was given a vote of thanks for her excellent training sessions before leaving for her long run back up to Perthshire. The group consensus was of a well organised and informative weekend. Everyone learned something they didn't know.

Next week’s walk, on Saturday 27th of April, will be a fairly vigorous  B+ climb up Mulldonoch via the Caldons Burn. Meet at 09:00 at the Breastworks Car Park, Stranraer or at 09:30 at the Riverside Car Park, Newton Stewart to share transport.  The walk will start from Caldons Car Park at 10:00 (Grid Ref: NX 397 579). New walkers are always welcome but please contact the walk leader before joining. If going direct to the start or for any other queries please contact the walk leader on 01671 403351.