Wigtownshire Ramblers Cornish Loch and Loch Girvan Eye March 2015

Wigtownshire Ramblers 

Saturday the 7th of March

2015

Having a continuing problem with my knee and other issues at the back of my mind I never went on this walk.

However a dozen intrepid stalwarts did make the trip into South Ayrshire for the walk.

Sensibly, the walk leader, the 'Musician' decided to abandon the scheduled climb of Shalloch on Minnoch and stick to a new lower level route.

The few pictures were provided by the Musician and the Cartographer.

The snow pictures were from the recce.

The Musicians report follows the pictures.

Here's a couple of late arrivals from 'Geo and the Croupier'

Wigtownshire Ramblers 

Walk Report Saturday 7/3/15

On Saturday twelve optimistic ramblers met at Stinchar Bridge carpark, on the Straiton road just over the border into Ayrshire. We were hoping to climb Shalloch on Minnoch the Corbett at the end of The Awful Hand range with fantastic views in all directions. The route planned was via Cornish hill and returning via Cairnadloch and had been checked three days before in snow.

However when driving through mist and seeing cloud completely covering Shalloch a new plan was made. On leaving the cars the wind was strong and after a very brief shower of rain we set off. The revised route was to climb Cornish Hill and walk as far as Loch Girvan Eye and then return following the Water of Girvan. So in a gale and limited visibility we set off on the well defined path through the forest where there was temporary reprieve from the elements. The heather covered summit at 460m was reached after a couple of false summits that were cairns marking the path. We descended and the rippling cloud morphed into a loch, Cornish Loch which we skirted around and found an excellent place to cross the burn. All the snow from three days before had melted so conditions underfoot were even wetter but tussocks and most holes could be seen. The stunning views had to be imagined. We followed the fence climbing up to Loch Girvan Eye from which the water of Girvan flows. Here we found shelter from the wind and enjoyed our lunch in good company in the remoteness of the Galloway Hills.

We retraced our steps but crossed to the east side of Cornish Loch and passed a dilapidated boat house to reach the river, the water of Girvan running North. It passes through Loch Skelloch ,Loch Bradan and eventually reaches the sea at Girvan. Walking beside lovely waterfalls we descended then crossed an excellent bridge and eventually did a bit more cross country tussock manoeuvres to reach the original Cornish Hill path and return through the beautifully green carpeted forest. We explored the path to the ruins of Craiglour Lodge and noted the plaque to Catherine Lawson, born there November 1940. We passed the gorgeous Stinchar waterfalls and imagined the pool on a hot summers day. We had been fortunate not to have any more rain and numerous positive comments were made about our five hour walk where we had a sense of adventure and remoteness but so easily reached from the road.

The House O' Hill  was a convenient place to stop on our return and we were given a good welcome and provided with excellent refreshments.

Next week’s walk, a B- is along the SUW from Portpatrick to Stranraer at 9.5 miles. Meet for car sharing at the Breastworks, Stranraer, at 9.15am, the Riverside, Newton Stewart at 8.45am or at the Port Rodie Bus Stop (NX 063 609) to catch the 9.40am bus.Don't forget your bus pass. New walkers are always welcome but please phone the leader on 01776 705061.

Wigtownshire Ramblers-Shalloch on Minnoch-May 2011

Three and a bit years ago,I failed in my attempt to climb Shalloch on Minnoch with the Ramblers.
March 2008 Crocked

Apart from the occasional wander around the foothills,I haven't had any attempts since.I'll be up today

In the above picture we're heading towards Kirriereoch and Shalloch on Minnoch.
That's as far as we got,we weren't starting the climb from here.Our walk leader arrived back with one car driver after having left one car at the walk finish.

I've again written the press release for this walk so I'll just copy and paste that below.

Climbing Shalloch Hill

Can someone tell me what the lines are ?

Atop Shalloch Hill

Caerloch Dhu and the Pottans

Loch Riecawr and a glimpse of Loch Doon

Reaching Shalloch on Minnoch Trig Point

No views at the moment !

Lunchtime-it wasn't supposed to be a liquid one !

The Higher Summit View

Loch Enoch in the middle.

The Merrick and Kirriereoch under the clouds.

Lochs Macaterick,Riecawr and Doon

Nick of Carclach

Nick of Carclach View

Tarfessock and beyond

Cross Burn wet descent

Cross Burn Lower and View:-Brighter

Back up the Cross Burn

Wigtownshire Ramblers Walk Report

14th May 2011

A cold damp and blustery morning saw twelve intrepid walkers gather at the Kirriereoch car park for todays walk.Two new walkers were welcomed to the group.

After leaving two cars behind they now travelled up the Straiton road a further six miles for the start of the walk.A few miles north of Waterhead on Minnoch they parked up in a disused quarry cutting and began to climb.

The going was typical rugged Galloway Hills terrain.Tussocks, heather and bog meant that progress was steady as they crossed their first obstacle,the Pilnyark Burn.

Eventually they reached their first objective Shalloch.From here they could see Ailsa Craig to the west and to the north Cornish Loch and Loch Bradan.A number of small lochans were skirted around.

As they continued climbing the going became a little easier.Blaeberry and Bog Cotton were prolific.Bog Cotton - or Cotton grass used to be used in the past for making candle wicks and also for stuffing pillows. It was also used in wound dressings during the first world war.Nowadays it's considered commercially unviable for harvesting.

Now they were cimbing southeasterly on the slopes between Caerloch Dhu and the Pottans.Below them the Rig of the Shalloch was prominent.Cloud cover obscured all the summits of the 'Awful Hand' range.Arran and Ayr could be seen to the north and west.

Upon reaching the trig point (768) and stone shelter on Shalloch on Minnoch,optimism that the weather was going to improve was soon dashed as the wind and rain increased.A cold and damp lunch break followed.Despite the conditions,lots of light hearted banter bolstered morale.

After lunch they now moved east to the highest point on the Corbett and the highest point in mainland Ayrshire. (The Isle of Arran is managed by North Ayrshire Unitary Authority so technically Goat Fell summit is it's highest point).

At 775 metres high and above the rocky crag known as Maidens Bed the views when the clouds occasionally cleared were spectacular.Below to the north east were Lochs Macaterick,Riecawr and Doon,east standing tall was Corserine and to the south Loch Enoch.

Tunskeen bothy far below, restored in 1965 saw the MBA (Mountain Bothies Association) being formed.

Now the group made their way to Tarfessock via the Nick of Carclach.The drop in height took them below the clouds and afforded more views of the surrounding rugged countryside.

Lochans and rocky outcrops were passed until they came in sight of the steep slopes of Balminnoch Brae leading up to Kirriereoch.It was time to begin the descent.

The descent followed the course of the Cross Burn.For a while the weather worsened and wind and driving rain were endured.

Stumps are all that remain at the site of the now demolished Cross Burn bothy.Remembered by a few of today's walkers it was wigwam shaped.

As the weather cleared and the sun began giving occasional glimpses, the exit to the forest road was inadvertantly missed.The group continued the descent to where the confluence of the Cross and Kirshinnoch Burns become the Kirriemore Burn.

An unsuccessful but entertaining attempt to find a way through the forest resulted in a short retrace of steps back up the Cross Burn to the Pillow Burn and the forest road.

Drivers were now taken back to the vehicles while the remainder enjoyed the saunter down the forest road to await their respective lifts.A wonderful walk despite the weather.

The next walk, on the 21st of May will be a 'Woods and Hills in the National Scenic Area' circular B grade walk of 8.5 miles. 

Meet at the Breastworks, Stranraer at 9.00am,the Riverside car park Newton Stewart at 9.30am for car sharing, or at the walk start at Anwoth New Kirk (NX 582 559 ( N.B misprint in programme has NX 582 599) ) at 10.00am

New members are always welcome, for more information or if going to the walk start, contact the walk leader on 01776 840226