Wigtownshire Ramblers Port Logan Coast to Coast September 2014

Saturday's walk was over at Port Logan.

I'm writing the report and as usual it will follow the photographs.

Often I'm quite pleased with my photographs, and although some aren't too bad on this post, to me there are a few mediocre ones.

Never mind, for a bit more colour you can look at previous posts of the Port Logan and Logan Gardens area.  

2011 Walk

2012 Walk

2013 Walk

Top of Muldaddie Hill

Those with farming connections though these might be 'Saler' cattle.

If anyone knows different, let me know and I'll edit the post.

Looking back on Port Logan

The usual suspects

Cottfield new build 2006 and Cowan's farmer talking to our 'Farmer'

Cowans Farm

The Donna D at Roses Cottages

Towards Killumpha

Killumpha

Would you like a pear ? No, one will be fine !

Corsican Pine, much taller than Shorty

Killumpha Drive

Sweetie distribution

Across the A716 to New England Bay

Advertising boards and walkers

Balgowan Point

The location of a couple of shipwrecks.

The Thomas 1858 A coal schooner from Cumbria, all crew saved.

Lady Louisa Kerr 1898 A Belfast Schooner with a cargo of lime.

Approaching Portacree

The big house looks almost finished. It looks like there's a balcony under construction.

THe house bottom right is a complete transformation from our last visit.

Logan Mills

Nice clean information board

Lunchtime

Enjoying the sea breeze

A rock indentation is brought to life !

Remnants of a breakwater

The tropical South Rhins

Auchness Tower House

The road to Drummore

It looks like an 'artist' had been busy on this electricity sub station sign.

Lots of game birds seen on the walk

The road to Logan Mains

Bully, family and lots of bales

Sweetie time again

'The Row'

Perhaps too far gone to be rescued.

We learned that a painting by one of our artistic members on sale in the Potting Shed Bistro had recently been purchased.

Looking towards Port Logan Bay

Bridge over the path that led from Logan House to the Fishpond

Interesting sign on the gate of the old schoolhouse

It seems Port Logan is increasingly more popular with anglers. As well as the boats, note the beach fishing rods.

Beach walk back to the cars

Next to Logan Gardens carpark.

A lovely day's walking.

Tuesday
Here's a couple of nice pictures from Miss Goodnight.

Here's the report.

Saturday the 13th of September

A hazy September morning greeted the 21 ramblers assembled at the picturesque harbour of Port Logan for the walk. Fishermen were packing up their tents having had a good late night with a catch of pollock.
We began the walk by following a track south up Muldaddie Hill.
Curious bullocks of a special breed walked alongside us in an adjacent field.Soon we reached a T junction, and took the farm track east to Cowans farm.
At Cowans we met with the farmer doing his rounds on his quad bike. Now our number rose temporarily to 22 when we were joined for a section of the walk by another member of our group.
A short distance from the farm we reached the tarmac of the B7065 which we followed North to Paddy's Plantation.
Here we turned North East onto an unclassified road passing by Roses Cottages and Killumpha Farm.
As we passed farmsteads and private residences, the profusion of palm trees, pampas grass and tropical plants showed how, courtesy of the gulf stream, the Rhins of Galloway has such a mild climate.
On reaching the T Junction at Bridge Cottage, we again turned North, this time onto the track that is known as Killumpha Drive. Along here at regular intervals grew tall corsican pine, many with a shortage of lower branches.
This track took us up to the Port Logan to New England Bay road where a stop was taken for the distribution of coconut mushroom sweeties.
A short road walk brought us to the shoreline at New England Bay where we now joined the Mull of Galloway Trail.
On reaching Balgowan Point a tapered concrete structure was investigated. It was found to have a theodolite fitting. Being in the close proximity to the M.O.D area, it was deemed to be for the fitting of a military tracking device.
The shore path now took us along to Portacree and Logan Mills. On the beach, a multitude of seagulls awaiting an incoming tide took no notice of our passing.  
Across the Balkelzie Burn bridge, a short detour from the shore took us past the remnants of Logan Windmill  Built in the late 17th century and used for grinding corn it was built of whinstone, rubble and stone from the beach.
A little further up the beach, an outcrop of rocks provided seating for a leisurely lunch break.
After lunch we continued on the coastal path till we reached a wooded area. On the shoreline, vertical crossed timbers indicated the remnants of a breakwater.
Our route now left the shore and turned west through the Rossan Knowes plantation. Leaves were beginning to turn to their autumnal colours.
On reaching the A716, Auchness Castle stood out. A 16th Century Tower house and three storeys high it was a MacDouall family stronghold. Horses grazed close by.
A short single file walk along the A716 brought us to Knockcappy Plantation and the road to Logan Mains. A line of mature beech trees, new born calves, lazy bulls and pheasants were features along this two mile stretch.
At Logan mains we stopped for another sweetie break. A number of walkers made use of an empty low loading trailer to rest their weary legs. Though there was still some haze in the air, it was generally warm and sunny.
After passing 'The Row', a picturesque row of former estate workers cottages we walked through the woods of the Logan Estate. The Logan Folly, a squat circular crenellated tower stood prominently on a hill overlooking Port Logan bay.
A track through open fields now led us down to the Port Gill road. We stopped at the ornate bridge at the Glen Plantation while our leader with the aid of an illustrated booklet explained it's history. The path underneath built towards the end of the 18th century by Colonel Andrew McDouall led to what now is known as the Logan Fish Pond. Up to 80 fish could be stocked for use at Logan House.
Reaching the T junction at the Old Schoolhouse, an old sign declared 'A penalty not exceeding forty shillings'  would be imposed on anyone omitting to shut the gate.
A nice long beach walk tempting some walkers to discard their footwear completed a grand day's hiking.
This fine day was completed with a visit to the wonderful Potting Shed Bistro at Logan Gardens for tea, coffee and scones.

The next walk, on Saturday the 20th of September will be a B+ linear walk of 8 miles over Cairnharrow Hill to Creetown.

Meet at the Riverside car park Newton Stewart at 9.30 am,the Breastworks, Stranraer at 9.00 am for car sharing, or at the walk start at Kirkdale Bridge (NX 517 531) at 10.00am.

New members are always welcome, for more information or if going to the walk start, contact the walk leader on 01671 403351

Wigtownshire Ramblers Port Logan to Damnaglaur July 2014

 Saturday the 19th of July 2014

I was quite confident I'd be fit enough for Scoop's moderate walk. We're here at least once a year. Here are some links to previous visits. Scoop's walk report will follow the pictures.

Scoops 2011

Damnaglaur Walks

2011 Walk

2012 Walk 

 After making the error of not checking the walk start and a quick tour of the South Rhins we got to Port Logan and joined the others.

Twenty five of us headed up the steady incline on the track leading south out of the village.
We soon gained enough height to view Port Logan Bay. It was overcast and a little misty. The forecast was for rain.

Nice polite sign entering the land of Cowan's Farm.

The track south. Some parts well trodden, other sections less so.

Three hares on a hill were being playful and boxing. I thought I'd got a good picture of them. Ha ha !

Scoop kept us nicely refreshed with sweeties.

Bottom right above is all that remains of Castle Clanyard.

It seems we are becoming a more popular group of walkers, new faces appear every other week now.

Don't mind me folks, it's only to overcome my shyness that I sometimes appear to be slightly mad.  

Here's a well tended welcome to this estate.

Castle Clanyard,the one time residence of a branch of the Gordons of Kenmura and Lochinvar.

This from Gordon Castles.

"A 16th Century legend has it that young McDouall of Logan and Gordon of Clanyard were both in love with the same maiden, the daughter of M'Kinna of Portcorkerie. Gordon, by fair means or foul, had the young lady taken to Cardoness Castle, near Gatehouse of Fleet - the residence of another branch of the Gordon family.

Hearing of this MacDouall gave pursuit with his men and overtook the party on the sea-shore at Killeser. A conflict ensued and the maiden was freed, but her rescuer, MacDouall of Logan, was slain. According to the tradition, about 40 men fell, and between 30 and 40 small cairns still remain in the small plantation at Ardwell to mark the graves."

This building has been in construction for six years now.

Now then here's a thing. The lady in the picture was quite abrupt to any of the group who tried to talk to her, she was complaining of a lack of privacy. Well then dearie, might I just say that if it's privacy you want then the house is too ostentatious for a start, it's next to a public right of way and it's in walking country. Here in Scotland we also have a 'Right to roam' law. From what I can see happening all over Scotland is the rise of 'PRIVATE' signs. The beauty of our country is for all of us to enjoy, not the select few as of the 19th century. The only help I can suggest is that you completely surround the building with Leylandii. You'll then have the privacy you seek.

The nicest element of the above picture is in the foreground.

Wild Orchids

Here's a rarity among South Rhins cattle.

Arriving at Kirkmaiden.

Lunchtime.

In the grounds of Kirkmaiden Old Church.

"Sacred to the memory of the family of McDoualls of Logan who have been laid to rest in this vault for many centuries. Vault closed in 1897".

Headstones of some of the crew of the S.S. "Rio Verde" (London) which was torpedoed by a German submarine on 21st February 1918. The master and 19 crew perished.

Scottish War Graves

The rain which started gently now got heavier. Having forgotten to fetch my waterproof camera, I took no more pictures on the road back to Damnaglaur. 

Here to complete the photographs are a few pictures from our illustrious walk leader.

Scoop's Pictures 

Back at Damnaglaur we were treated to a preview of the Scotlands Gardens' open day. Scoop and two of her neighbours are participants in today's (Sunday,July the 20th) event.

A grand day was completed with most splendid scones, cakes tea and coffee ably assisted by her friend and fellow walker, the 'Weaver' and her family.

I though I'd come through the day well, but by eight in the evening I ached and my legs felt like lead weights.

Though I'm not quite right yet at least my blood tests were clear.    

Here's Scoop's report.

Wigtownshire Ramblers – Port Logan – Damnaglaur Gardens 

Despite the adverse weather forecast 25 ramblers assembled at the picturesque harbour of Port Logan for the walk.  Trying to spur the walkers on to cover as much ground as possible before the expected rain, the leader set off, taking the steady incline of the track leading south out of the village. Before long they'd gained enough height to appreciate the views back to Port Logan Bay despite the greyness of the day.

Moving through to the fields of Cowans Farm a quaint message by one gate read 'Be ye man, be ye wumman - Be ye gaun, or be ye comin - Be ye early, be ye late - Be ye share tae shut the gate', read with delight by some of the newer walkers who had not seen such a sign before – a polite way of making sure we closed the gates behind us - rolling fields of sheep and cattle meant there were a number of them to open and close!

The track was a good one with only one stretch where the vegetation had grown high enough to warrant care in proceeding and the group were rewarded for their perseverance through this section afterwards when sweets were distributed by the leader.  Those who had been able to look at more than where they had put their feet would have noticed a variety of wild flowers, the yellow Common Bird’s Foot Trefoil,  the tall pink Rosebay Willowherb and purple Bush Vetch as well as the now fading Red Campion. The route became easier the views took in the cliffs above Clanyard Bay and over the Clanyard Moor, criss-crossed with ancient dykes enclosing sheep and cattle.

Reaching the road, they passed Castle Clanyard - all that remains of the 16th castle is a tapered corner of the walls in a nearby field. This was once the palatial residence of a branch of the Gordons of Kenmura and Lochinvar.

After walking through the buildings of Castle Clanyard Castle, footpath signs indicated permission, they continued south along the Glen of the Hole, passing an almost finished new build of some grandeur.  Its building had been followed with interest since foundations were laid, about six years ago.  With Cairn Fell to the west they next reached the crossroads below Inshanks Fell from where they turned east on the unclassified tarmac road to Kirkmaiden. The views over Luce Bay to the Galloway Hills should have been magnificent but today the former was only just visible whilst the hills were hidden from us.

Next stop and lunch was at the 17th century Kirkmaiden Old Kirk, just as the promised rain started to fall.  A third of the party opted to stay outside as, at that stage, it was just more than a drizzle, the others went into the Kirk to enjoy the shelter and its wonderful ambiance.  Leaving no crumbs and some monetary donations, the group took a wander through the Kirkyard as the rain fell more earnestly before setting off down School Lane.  The restored school and its schoolhouse created some interest and part of its garden was viewed over a front dyke before the walkers reached the turnoff to take the track upwards to High Kildonan.  It was a steep slope, a solid one at its start and, after passing the remains of the house, one which deteriorated into a grass and bramble narrow track where the ramblers had to manoeuvre their way as the rain increased.  It was with relief that the road was again reached and the short walk to Damnaglaur brought the group to some measure of shelter!

This was taken in all of the three gardens open with Scotland’s Garden Scheme on Sunday 20 July, open today for a preview to the Wigtownshire Ramblers.  Unfortunately, today was not the day to completely appreciate all the work which had been done by the owners of the gardens of Ardoch, Damnaglaur House and The Homestead!  Eventually the leader welcomed them into her house for refreshments after outer clothing had been hung in the garage and boots were lined up in the utility room.  When the walkers had finally dried off they DID appreciate the teas and cakes provided and donations were made to the British Red Cross for the hospitality and plants they had received at Damnaglaur House!

Next week’s walk will be a circular in the hills and glens of South Ayrshire. Meet for car sharing at the Riverside car park in Newton Stewart at 9.00 am, the Breastworks car park in Stranraer at 9.30 am or the walk start at Auchencrosh Cross Roads (NX 095 790). Please note this is an amendment from the published programme. For further details or if going to the walk start please phone walk leader on 01581 200256. New members are always welcome.

Update Monday 21st July from Scoop's new Sony 

Damnaglaur Garden with magnificent view

I called on Scoop on Sunday during her Scotlands Gardens open day.

She reports a great success and lots of donations to the Red Cross