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. 

Flooding in Newton Stewart

On Monday the 19th of November after heavy overnight rain, the River Cree flooded much of lower Newton Stewart. Here's a few pictures and a video clip.

Riverside Car Park

The Belted Galloway

Creemills footbridge

North Barnkirk

Nether Barr

Bewildered Bird

Riverside Road

Millcroft Road rear gardens

Creebridge

Creebridge, Minnigaff

A full moon over Galloway

Thursday the 30th of August

It was a clear night, and I finally got my camera settings right to take these lunar pictures

I took a lots of shots at varying distances, but these three are probably the clearest

These are straight out of the camera with no editing, however I did try a few effects to see what would happen. 

The only effect that came up with a surprising result was the 'Pencil Sketch', and this is the result of that below 

Isn't that weird !

I'd love someone to explain it to me ?

Pre Recce Recce - Craignelder

Thursday the 19th of July

I needed to get a walk in today so I climbed Craignelder as a pre recce.

I thought these couple of pictures deserved an airing.

My fellow blogger from Ayr  

and the teacher just happened to be on the next hill, Cairnsmore of Fleet.

I must have seen at least 80 goats today. This was my best picture of a dozen.

A gorgeous wild orchid

A collage of some of my views.

It was very wet underfoot, apart from a little drizzle it wasn't a bad day weather-wise.

Hopefully that's me warmed up for Saturday's walk.

Blog Hop

Just a little experiment and a sparrow

Linky Tools subscription expired. List not available.

Wigtownshire Ramblers Dally Bay to Corsewall July 2012

Saturday the 14th of July 2012

We're on the North Rhins for today's walk.

Previous posts from 2008 are here.

July 2008

November 2008

It's a cool wind and occasional clouds but we've a good forecast.

My report for the press will follow the pictures.

Dally Bay

Eider Ducks

Shags, a lone bird and the Ebbstone

Wild Orchid and Ragged Robin

Approaching Port Long

P & O Ferry

This was a trial of  a custom timer which takes shots in rapid succession. It should be done with the aid of a tripod as anyone can see.

RAF North Cairn

Ailsa Craig

Seals and seabirds

Socializing Ramblers 

(A step in the right direction)

Shags and guano

North Cairn Chain Home Radar Station

Common Frog

He must have waited in the same spot for Scoop to come along. She said she kissed it, but is still waiting for her prince to arrive.

Oust Rocks and Bloody Slouch

(Nothing personal it's the name of the rocky feature)

Colour

Approaching Corsewall

From various distances

Corsewall

Lighthouse, lunch and leaving 

Corsewall Castle ruins

Portpatrick Lifeboat

This picture was from a distance, it appeared to have the small yacht in tow.

Equine and Bovine

Kellies Cottage and Arran View

North Cairn

I got excited seeing the name Skinningrove on the steel girder

I knew I'd been in my steelmaking days, the trouble was I told someone it was between Rotherham and Sheffield, and I remembered when I got home it's up with the pigeon fanciers in the North East of England, just south of Redcar now I remember.

Last pictures of the day

I believe the flower is Yellow Loosestrife

Apparently a medicinal herb.

Here's the report.

Wigtownshire Ramblers Walk Report
Saturday the 14th of July 2012-07-15
Eighteen walkers met up near South Cairn for the coastal walk from Dally Bay to Corsewall point and the lighthouse.
The weather forecast was favourable with broken sunshine and a cool wind.
Accessing the coastal path via a farm track, the first visual delight came in the form of flocks of Eider ducks swimming around Dally Bay.
This was only a prelude to the vast number of sea and land birds seen throughout the walk north.
Gannets, Plovers, Shags, Curlews, Oystercatchers, Peewits, Fulmars and various divers were among the species identified.
To begin with, the path was occasionally boggy. Small burns were carefully crossed. A misjudged step resulted in the occasional wet boot.
A short distance out in the bay stood the concrete plinth of the now redundant Ebbstone, once a shipping beacon.

After following the rocky shoreline beyond Portlong and Portnaughan Bays the ruins of the North Cairn Radar Station was reached. Here the walk leader explained a little of the history of the site. Chain Home was the codename for the ring of coastal ‘Early Warning’ radar stations built by the British before and during the Second World War and North Cairn was part of that ring. It’s easy to imagine, considering the substantial remnants that remain, the hive of activity of up to 300 personnel scanning the skies for danger.

Reaching Port Gavillan, a short stop was taken to look over at the activity on the Genoch Rocks. Seals were in abundance. While a number basked on the rocks others in the water kept popping their heads up. One small peaked outcrop was white topped with guano from the colony of shags in residence.

The walk continued with constant views of Ailsa Craig and ferries from Loch Ryan across the North Channel.
Wild flowers flourished and delighted the amateur botanists in the group. Various campion, ragged robin, forget me not and wild orchids were abundant.
Approaching Corsewall Point, a mention was made of the wreck of the Firth of Cromarty in 1898 and her cargo of whisky. Needless to say, a short forage by a few ramblers proved fruitless.
After passing Oust, Bloody and Horseback rocks, Corsewall Lighthouse was reached. Looking resplendent with a fresh coat of whitewash, this magnificent structure designed by Robert Stevenson and built in 1815 is now a luxury hotel.

A lunch break was taken overlooking a sheltered rocky inlet just beyond the lighthouse.

After lunch the group now headed inland for the return journey by road and farm track.
Heading east they passed the ruins of Corsewall Castle. At the next junction they turned southwest where a gradual incline took them beyond the farms of West Kirkbryde and Knockneen. Views of the Ayrshire coast, Arran and the Mull of Kintyre were extensive. Even the Paps of Jura made an appearance.
The delightful cottages of Kellies and Arran View with their many strange and wonderful garden ornaments came next.
Reaching North Cairn, a recently constructed track took them now to Knocktim from where the road to South Cairn took them back to the cars.

A wonderful day walking was concluded with a visit to the Conservatory at the Soleburn Garden centre for tea, coffee and cakes.

The next walk on Saturday the 21st of July is a 7 mile hill and glen walk from Loch Doon, taking in Glenmount, Craigengillan Estate and Ness Glen.

Meet for the minibus or car sharing at the Breastworks, Stranraer 8.30am,the Riverside, Newton Stewart 9.00am or the walk start at the Roundhouse on Loch Doon (NS 476 012) at 10am. For further details or if going to the start please phone the walk leader on 01671 403351. New members are always welcome