Wigtownshire Ramblers Bargrennan Circular November 2014

Wigtownshire Ramblers November the 1st 2014

This walk is one we did earlier this year and in 2011

2011 Walk 

March 2014 Walk 

The walk leader is the 'Milkmaid' with the 'Musician' as her back up. Her report will follow the pictures. 

One of the leaders should have been the 'Weaver' but while holidaying in the sunshine she came off second best in an encounter with a large wave. 

Our treasurer is also indisposed with a badly broken ankle.

Here's wishing them both a speedy recovery. 

Another good turnout as thirty two walkers set off from the Bargrennan lay-by.

   

The route should have followed the S.U.W., but adverse underfoot conditions persuaded the walk leaders to take to forest track.............

.....................probably a wise decision.............

.................judging by track conditions.

Back onto the S.U.W and the path through much felled Brigton Woods.................

...............leads to the banks of the Water of Minnoch.

A short detour to.............

............the Old Bridge of Minnoch.................

..............also known as the Roman Bridge.

Back on the move.

Spot the twins (or the join)

View across the Water of Minnoch to Holm

I recently downloaded a free programme called Paint.Net

I've not looked into the programme much yet, but the above effect is called Polar Inversion.

Crossing the Holm Bridge

We must have disturbed elves and pixies around this big mushroom.

A short break at High Dalane

A short walk along the Water of Trool......................

...............to the footbridge.

Back on the banks of the Water of Minnoch we followed it up to the Glentrool Visitors Centre

..................and lunch.

Plenty seating for thirty two hungry ramblers.

After lunch we took the path through Minniwick Woods.

For a moment I though Shorty had strayed from the group !

From near to Glentrool village it was all forest road back to Bargrennan.

Lovely views, but the skies were darkening................

................we made it back dry though. 

A short distance from Bargrennan is the The House O' Hill, where we enjoyed our after walk refreshments of tea, coffee, scones, biscuits and cake.

A lovely day in the Galloway Forest Park. 

Here's a selection of pictures from 

Scoop. 

Here's the Milkmaid's report.

Ramblers Report 1st on November 2014

On Saturday 1st November, despite the forecast rain, 32 ramblers, including 5 guests, met in the lay-by opposite the old Bargrennan village hall. Members were pleased to see the old hall, which had fallen into a sorry state, being converted into housing. 

The Southern Upland Way passes the lay-by at this point but due to recent wet weather the path along the River Cree had become very muddy. In order to by-pass this for easier ground underfoot the walk started out along the forest road. This road had seen a lot of traffic in recent months with tree felling and removal of timber which until recently created long wood lined tunnels along some stretches.  

The Southern Upland Way path was reached at Brigton Woods where the bracken was finally beginning to die down. The autumn colours always make this a great time of year for a visit to these parts. The banks of the Water of Minnoch showed signs of recent flooding with a line of vegetation abandoned close to the path.

A short detour was taken to visit that old favourite the Old Bridge of Minnoch also known as the Roman Bridge, but actually an old pack horse bridge thought to be built in the  17th or 18th century. Most ramblers took the opportunity to admire the view from the bridge. 

The way now followed the Water of Minnoch and passed through some fine deciduous woodland displaying many species of fungi. Walkers negotiated flooded parts of the path and some very slippy footbridges. A tiny frog, not yet hibernating because of the unseasonably warm weather, hopped from the path, just avoiding a trampling from sodden boots. 

The river was crossed at Holm Bridge and then followed along the opposite side, through younger more recently planted trees, to the confluence where the Water of Trool joins and becomes part of the Water of Minnoch.  Crossing the bridge across the Water of Trool walkers paused to enjoy the swirling fast mesmerising waters below. Abundant holly berries provided a flash of colour on the river bank.

Other walkers out enjoying the mild autumn weather signalled the approach to the visitor centre at Stroan Bridge. Here picnic tables provided a civilised spot for lunch. 

The final leg of the walk followed the path adjacent to the road, through Miniwick Woods, which leads to Glen Trool village. Then a forest road, where trees had been extensively felled giving good views of the Minnigaff Hills, lead eventually back to the cars. Luckily the rain held off until everyone was comfortably settled in the House o’ Hill enjoying tea and scones.

The next walk, Saturday the 8th November, is a C+ circular walk north of  New Luce. Meet for car sharing at the Riverside, Newton Stewart at 9.15 or the Breastworks, Stranraer at 9.30am. The walk starts at the Kenmuir Arms, New Luce (NX174 648) at 10 am. New members are welcome but please phone the walk leader on 01671 401222. 

Wigtownshire Ramblers Bargrennan March 2014

Wigtownshire Ramblers Bargrennan Circular March the 1st 2014

I'm still suffering a little from my sinuses running like some of the waterfalls we'll see today, but it's a moderate walk so I should be OK.

28 of us gathered at Bargrennan Hall for the walk start. We'd have had 29 if the Ayrshire Blogger had got it right, but he had a good day anyway.

Today's leader is the 'Weaver' and her report will follow the pictures.

Apparently today's walk is plan 'C' due to insurmountable weather and geological factors. 

Our walk starts by following a section of the Southern Upland Way.

The path alongside the river Cree is sometimes muddy.

Along the Braes of Barmore.

Trees are being felled on a massive scale due to the larch disease. At the rate they're coming down we'll soon have no forest park !

Reaching the road at Clachaneasy we take a short break. It's a beautiful morning.

A little further down the Cree we turn east.

Much of Brigton Woods has been felled.

We're soon crossing the Wood of Cree road and turning North East.

Twenty eight walkers is the most we've had for some while, and folk are catching up with each other.

As well as keeping us fit, rambling also keeps us in touch, we're a very sociable group.

Anyone reading this who's perhaps thought 'maybe I should get walking', why not come along and try us out, you never know, you might just like us.

Now we reach the banks of the beautiful Water of Minnoch.

The light today with occasional cloud is very conducive to getting decent pictures.

A short detour up the river brings us down to the Old Bridge of Minnoch, also called the Roman Bridge.

I've gone into theories before about the name Roman Bridge, it's an old pack horse bridge built in the 17th or 18th century. More likely Romany than Roman.

Not everyone ventured on the bridge, perhaps 28 might have put a strain on the keystone.

We disturbed a Kingfisher on our arrival, it's bright colours last seen heading north up the river. 

Overlooking McKie's Wiel we stopped for lunch.

Thanks to Scoop for two thirds of the above collage.

We're in the natural oak woodland of Holm Wood. 

The sunshine through the trees makes for pleasant walking.

We cross the bridge near High Minniwick to walk north on the eastern bank of the river.

Two of the group make use of a handy bench. The area on the opposite side of the river at this point goes by the beautiful name of 'Auld Wife's Stank'

Our route now takes us along the Water of Trool to cross the footbridge just before Black Loup on the river. This is where we leave the SUW. 

However, seven of the group when offered a walk extension up to Caldons were happy to accept the extra. 

We soon rejoin the Water of Minnoch and continue towards Stroan Bridge. 

One of the most popular areas of the Galloway Forest Park is Glentrool with Glentrool Visitor's Centre located at Stroan Bridge. 

The waterfalls here are particularly attractive.

Another collage with three quarters from Scoops camera.

I get a few of the walkers on the bridge.............

...............a little bit warmer than in 2010 !

Now our route takes us close to Glentrool village before taking the forest road south west.

Looking at the clouds gathering we might just be timing the walk right.

A nice background of the Galloway Hills as the group catches up.

The tree felling is uncovering previously unseen ruins.

This may have just been a barn, I can't find it on the OS or old maps. Someone will know ? 

Back at the cars we got rid of boots etc, to head to the House O' Hill  for some excellent after walk fare.

Our seven adventurers were right behind having came back by road from Glentrool village.

A very enjoyable day in the forest and along the rivers.

Here's the 'Weaver's walk report.

Saturday 1st March Ramblers’ walk

The first bright Saturday for some while brought out a magnificent twenty eight walkers for the Ramble on Saturday. It was advertised as an easy walk past waterfalls, lochs and along rivers but the recent rain had swelled the small burns into raging torrents and the route was a little too difficult to make walking pleasant.

An alternative circular route was used, taking the walkers from Bargrennan, along the Southern Upland Way to Stroan Bridge, and back along forest paths and roads. It set off on the path above the Cree where forestry operations had been taking place opening up the ground above. The Cree was a noisy companion, with water rushing by, crashing over rapids and boulders. A lone machine was heard working in the woodland, sadly still felling the diseased larch trees.

After crossing the minor road at Clachaneasy the muddy path soon brought the ramblers to the River Minnoch near to Borgan Bridge. The birds sang as a precursor of spring and frogspawn was seen in the ditches along the road. The Community woodland Trust’s woods had avoided the blanket felling that was going on all around, and it was a pleasant walk through the deciduous trees where bright green spring growth was beginning to show alongside the path.

A short detour took the party to the Old Bridge of Minnoch or the ‘Roman Bridge’ as it is sometimes called. It was a change to see the picturesque bridge from this side of the river, and most walkers took the opportunity to clamber up the steep gradient and view the Minnoch from the top. A kingfisher flashed by, too fast for the keen photographers to get a picture.

The ponds of the nature reserve did not show their usual compliment of frogs as the walkers passed and as the sunshine continued to penetrate the trees, a sunny glade nearby was chosen as a lunch spot. It was not far from here that the Minnoch was crossed at Holme Bridge, and the way continued along newly planted trees, passing the junction of the Minnoch and the Water of Trool to Stroan Bridge.

Just before the Water of Trool footbridge, a party of seven walkers left the rest to extend their walk along to Caldons, and back by the newly made high path to Stroan Bridge. Meanwhile the others lingered awhile at the Visitor Centre where the Minnoch gave a wonderful display of acrobatics amongst the rocky outcrops and pools beside the picnic site.

A woodland path beside the road provided a quiet, though sometimes boggy, walk back to Glen Trool village, where a forest road turned off, taking the main group back to Bargrennan whilst avoiding vehicles using the public road. Along here there were few trees left and the views over the surrounding countryside were beautiful. A pastoral scene to the west towards Knowe Village showed where the advertised walk should have taken place, to the east were the remaining forests around Larg Fell and Holm Ferrach, whilst to the North West were the high hills with softly muted colouring which enhances the Galloway heights at this time of year.

It was a delight to finish the walk without any rain, and the company adjourned to House O’ the Hill for welcome refreshments, where they were joined by the seven energetic walkers who had made the detour. Rain started soon afterwards!

Next week’s walk is a C+ walk of 11 miles. It will be from the Transformer at Auchenclosh back to Cairnryan. Meet at Riverside Newton Stewart, 9am, Breastworks, Stranraer 9.30am or Cairnryan for the 9.45 bus to the walk start at Auchencrosh Cross Roads ( NX 095 790 ) 10am. Don’t forget bus passes. Please phone the walk leader on 01581 200256 for more information or if going directly to the walk start. New walkers are always welcome.