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.

Glen Tig January 2013

Tuesday the 15th of January

I got up to a very hard frost this morning.

I'm heading up to South Ayrshire for a recce with three others.

The roads were very slippery, but once I was north of Barrhill it felt like I'd gone into another country.........definitely a few degrees hotter.

I'd walked Glen Tig with Slew and the Ayr and District Ramblers before. I thought it was four years ago, but I see it's less than three years ago..............what a memory,

May 2010 walk with Ayr and District Ramblers  

Scoop, The Teacher and Spike are my companions today

The first thing to catch our attention was this deer that couldn't make it's mind up which way to go.
We're following the 'Water of Tig' through Craig Wood.

It was quite wet and muddy underfoot, but we soon made our way to the grain mill ruins.

This looks like it's been a wonderful piece of engineering. If anyone who knows more about this ruined mill reads this post, please let me know and I'll update the information.

All that I can find about a mill in Glentig is on this Wikipedia Page about Dunduff Castle near Dunure where it mentions " the 10 Merk lands of Glentig, and it's grain mill"

There has been an old road along here at one time. I don't think the Ayr Ramblers have been back.

There were stretches of half decent paths, but then we'd run out of path, or trees and brambles would slow us down. At times we'd have to climb up steep slippery slopes to get past obstacles.

Some of the scenery however was gorgeous. Craig Wood is an SSSI (a site of special scientific interest)

The sun shining on the Water of Tig would often make a sparkling spectacle.

I could have taken a lot more colourful fungi, but at the next batch I was climbing out of a thorny hole so needed two hands free. This could be possibly be a walk for the hard core walkers of our group, but I think we'd need a long dry summer to consider it.

There was what appeared to be a reasonable track on the other side of the river and if this bridge had been complete the going might have been easier. We were having fun though.

River froth often looks quite revolting, this looked like freshly made candy floss.

Eventually we came out into a bit of open country.

At this point the walk with the Ayr group had left the river and climbed up the green fields to begin the return over farming country. My idea was to continue to reach Pedens Mount and begin the return from there. 

Another pair of deer wondered if we were a threat.

After studying us closely they decided we were and headed off up the hill.

We continued through the fields but then came to another wooded area alongside the river.

I'd wrongly thought that this was a short section of wood, but it turned out to be longer and just as hazardous as Craig Wood had been. 

Eventually we emerge on the hillside above the Meraddie burn.

Time for a lunch break and a rethink.

The snow covered Galloway Hills looked beautiful.

During lunch the plan changed.

Since we were way behind time-wise, we agreed we'd go no further along Glen Tig, but follow the Merradie burn up to it's source at Loch Meraddie.

Following the Merradie burn we had some fun with shadows.

We heard the hum of quad bikes.

Two quad bikes and two working dogs were rounding up around a hundred sheep.

It was brilliant to watch, but into the sun.

Once the dogs had manoeuvred the sheep through an open gate, the farmer came over to see us with a warning about continuing up to Loch Merradie. 'If we got into the next field but one we'd probably never be seen again' It was just a quagmire he informed us.

We were welcome to walk through his farmyard at Bellimore on Tig.

So now it would be track and road back to the cars. The Galloway hills looked magnificent.

She may be vertically challenged, but Scoop still has a fair stride.

Scoop was ready to photograph this flock of starlings swooping as we shouted and banged to make them fly away. We failed miserably, they mostly ignored us.

More inquisitive onlookers.

This is one of the collies we'd seen rounding up the sheep.

Talking to the shepherd as we passed through Bellimore on Tig, he told me they win their fair share of sheepdog trials.

Now it's all downhill and we get wonderful views.  

A flock of gulls take off. Somewhere along here we did our good deed for the day. A sheep had it's head through a square mesh fence and was frantically trying to dislodge itself. We needed to twist it's head round to free it. It was a happy sheep as it ran back to the flock and was quickly surrounded by other sheep. Caring sheep !

A tree lined avenue, a jumbo jet and a casual wave.

We could see Ireland and the Mull of Kintyre coming down here.

No Ailsa Craig though, last Saturday's hill obscured it's view.

Overlooking Laggan House Country Park and Heronsford.

"I love to go a wandering"...................... but getting back in one piece makes us happy

It was tough but enjoyable.

Scoop also took many excellent pictures
Here's a few.

Her camera is also a Canon of high quality.

It's a Powershot G1X ....takes great pictures.

Back home at Newton Stewart my last picture of the day was the one below.

A new moon.

Culzean Revisited

It's Monday the 8th of October, and I've arranged to meet my walking friend from Cumnock at Culzean Castle. Since we're both members of the National Trust, we'll take the guided tour of the castle. 

Culzean Castle with its associated country park in Ayrshire is regarded as the "jewel in the crown" of the heritage organisation, the National Trust for Scotland. "Culzean" is pronounced "Kull-ane", with the accent on the second syllable. The Kennedy family became established in the area in the 12th century.

It was not until the 18th century that the wealthy family, now known as the Earls of Cassillis, engaged Robert Adam to design a splendid castle. And to add to the wonders, a 565 acre parkland surrounding the castle was designed by Alexander Nasmyth and two pupils of Capability Brown. 

It's a glorious Autumn morning, although a bit chilly.........

.......................but perfect for photographs.

Over the water, the Isle of Arran looks mystical.

As in most National Trust Houses, photography isn't allowed.

The tour took around an hour, and was excellent.

In the first room which was the Armoury, we learned that this was the largest collection of muskets (apart from Windsor Castle) in the country. 

We learned that the top floor (now an exclusive hotel) was gifted as a thank you from the people of Scotland to General Eisenhower in 1945.

We saw beautifully detailed ceilings in the Blue Drawing Room and the Long Drawing Room. We saw a full size portrait of Napoleon in the central "Courtyard", which cost an arm and a leg !

N.B. We were told during the tour that the phrase "an arm and a leg" came from portrait painters, but This Page tells a different story.

We saw wonderful clifftop views from the Round Drawing Room. We were amazed with the kitchen.

I could go on, but I'll leave it to the reader to visit themselves. 

After the tour we had lunch outside on one of the many picnic tables around the ground.

This robin and chaffinch took an interest in our lunch.

After lunch we're heading through the grounds for a good walk.

Here's an interesting little dam, I wonder what it's purpose is ?

A wood carving by Marvin Elliot from the Isle of Arran

This bird was atop a very high tree, I had to zoom in quite a distance for these pictures.
Can someone identify it please ?

The Swan Pond was busy, with quite a few youngsters around today. One or two school parties were visiting.

Here we've reached the beach just north of the village of Maidens.

Ailsa Craig and a Royal Navy Rescue Helicopter.

We'll head north back to the castle.

My walking partner made a comment about horses on the beach. Right on cue they arrived.

Over the water there's a fishing boat off Arran. It's moving quite rapidly.

A long digital zoom in gets a wrinkly image of the Alba Na Mara.

It's a fisheries research vessel.

As I clicked on this Curlew, it decided to take off. I'm quite pleased it did.

There are caves galore along this stretch of coastline.

We were treated to numerous sightings of seabirds.

I'm not sure about the pipe, but the rivets in the metal panels indicate shipwrecks.

There were a few shipwrecks off Culzean, but I've a feeling that this is from the Airdrie, which was classified as an iron schooner. 

I should have had someone alongside this.

If it's giant hogweed, it's the tallest I've ever seen. It was a good ten feet high.

I got a few pictures of this Heron.

The castle comes into view. There's a noisy group below Dolphin House

We spoke to a young man sitting there when we arrived. He was enjoying the view after successfully achieving the required standard for one of the centre's awards.

A little further on and the view changes slightly.

A couple of devil's archways.

We'd done a lot of rock scrambling to get here. I think we were lucky with low tides. I've just spotted a picture with waves crashing onto this round building.

Now we're right under the castle, and the fascinating caves and passageways.

"The Firth of Clyde was a notorious centre for smuggling and the fortified caves beneath Culzean Castle were ideal for hiding contraband from the Revenue Officers. For centuries the Culzean Kennedys and others on the estate were either directly involved in smuggling, or turned a blind eye to it, in exchange for a share of the profits."

An interesting account of two friends exploring the caves can be found at Maybole.Org

They're not normally open to the public, but occasionally have tours for interested people. There are open ways in though. If it hadn't been so late in the day, we could have explored a little. Next time !

Culzean's a great place to visit. We had a very enjoyable day.