Wigtownshire Ramblers-Rig of the Jarkness and Craiglee

Its Saturday the 16th of February and today is a test for me-will i be up to my first strenuous walk.Its just under eight miles and much of the route is climbing.
As usual i got a lift to the walk start.
Starting at Bruce's Stone carpark overlooking Loch Trool,seventeen of us set off.



The start of the walk was going fine,the weather was fine and the views with sun coming through the clouds made for good photographing.





Initially the route we were taking was a gradual climb,but after crossing the Gairland Burn the climb became much steeper.

At this point i had a problem!

Scrambling up an almost vertical slope,the walk leader stopped to allow those further down to close up.I dropped sitting onto a rock,otherwise i'd have fallen down.Suddenly the world started spinning.The last time i'd felt like this was in my youth when i briefly embraced boxing and a right hook dropped me to the floor.
A voice asked if i was alright,i managed to reply in the negative.The other ramblers were concerned for my wellbeing.I had visions flashing through my mind of the Mountain Rescue Helicopter and having to be airlifted down.
Gradually the spinning stopped,and clarity returned.
I'm not sure how long we were stopped for but eventually i felt ok to go on.Thanks to the others for carrying my Rucksack and Camera case up to our stopping point.
I dont think this will happen again.I'll heed the warning signals in the future.

Now we're on the Rig of Jarkness having our lunch,and the views are magnificent.
I get my picture taken.

Along the Rig of Jarkness,Clints of the Buss and Craiglee we can view at least nine lochs.Loch Trool where we began,then Lochs Valley,Neldricken,Narroch,Long Loch of Glenhead and Round Loch of Glenhead,Dow Loch,Loch Dee and a hazy Clatteringshaws Loch.
This is so worth the effort to view this magnificent landscape.





A plane flew over leaving these strange smoke signals behind it.

Looking back the Merrick summit is in cloud.

And over to the west the Glenhead Lochs and Lochtrool are in sunshine and shade.

We reach Dow Loch....

...and its time for another break

It's a bit cold up here.

Back walking and as usual the walkers are all upbeat.But when the walk leader pointed out the top of Craiglee where we we're heading some anguished cries were heard(maybe they were all mine).

The sweets are passed round regularly,but judging that look,i'm not sure whether i'm getting one.
Now walking along these rocky edges the views are brilliant.





Having someone in the picture really shows off the whole perspective of the area.
Now we're nearing Craiglee Summit....

...and we're at the trig point.

Lots of photo calls follow.






Now which way will we go down?

Much of the way down was bog,and as such was littered with potential 'up to the knees in mud' potholes.
The map shows a Bucks Hole,but surely this cant be it-can it?

The views on the descent were equally as lovely.

A slight mishap.

Another moments respite,and the mood is still very upbeat.

A zoom on the lens brings in Loch Dee.

And now we're nearing the forest road which will take us the last two or three miles back to the car park.A muddy bog is the last obstacle before we're finally on the road.

The Glenhead Burn means we've not much further to go.

Time for another few minutes.....



....and as the sun's going down.

....it's time for the final push.

The backs of my legs will hurt tomorrow,and with the exception of a few dramatic minutes,(It's my perogative to turn it into a drama)i haven't had this much fun in years.

N.B.First time readers may not know this,but if you click on an individual picture you bring up a full size image.

Galloway Forest Park and Stewartry Drive

Today Thursday 14th of February is St Valentines day.It's also the last full day of my friends visit.
First stops are at the Glen of the Bar,then the Mare's tale in the Galloway Forest Park.Usually there's a fairly copious flow of water over here,but there's been no rain for a week now.It doesn't take long for the water to slow to a trickle.

On then to the wild goat park,where a few biscuits were appreciated.

And then to the Red Deer range,where there were Forestry men and Vets in attendance.We talked to one of the vets.They were about to round them up and tranquilise a number of them.Apparently instead of culling them they now move them around the country to purpose built deer parks.Great idea.


On now to Clatteringshaws Dam.

A lot of South West Scotlands lochs are the product of
Hydro Electricity.Here's what a Wikipedia page says.

Today the dams are well liked and a source of pride to the people of Galloway and of course are still generating environmentally friendly electricity. However they were not universally admired when they were first built, as local poet W.G.M. Dobie wrote:

This is our land of Galloway
Where in a more heroic day
The Bruce contrived to trap and slay
An army of invaders
Where Patrick Heron, Silver Sand
May Maxwell and the Smuggler band
Adventured as by Crockett's hand
Is Written in The Raiders


A raider comes today who kills
The glories of our glens and hills
With unheroic acts and bills
and "Private Legislation"
The Company promoters pen
Will Dam the Deugh and dam the Ken
and Dam the Dee - oh Dam the men
Who Plan such desecration!

After sandwiches at Kenick Wood,were now on the Laurieston to Gatehouse of Fleet road.The camera never seem to do justice to the wonderful views from here.



I love the name of the viewpoint.


Down to Gatehouse of Fleet and Cally Woods.

Mill on the Fleet.


After enjoying a cuppa at the cafe we head over to the Cream of Galloway to find it closed until Easter.
It's still a lovely day,so we drop down to Kirkcudbright.


And a walk round the harbour and marina.


Back past Maclellans Castle.


And the emotionally stirring monument to loved ones.

It's still quite light as we head back to Newton Stewart,the days are certainly getting longer.
I hope my friends have enjoyed their visit.I'm sure they have.

A Day in the Machars

When i set this blog up i said it would be light hearted and fun.I've now had occasion to moderate comments.This is because of some internet low life trying to put links to unsuitable material on my blog.I'd like to apologise to any perusers who may have been inadvertently directed to any of this material.









On to todays pictures which come from a lovely and often warm day in the Machars.
The old boy's still looking out to sea at Port William.

We saw otters today but alas i wasn't able to photograph or film them.By coincidence two of the live otters we did see was from up at the Gavin Maxwell Memorial.

And another we watched (I'll have to get myself a video camera with class) was from St Medan beach.

On down to the Isle of Whithorn,and more of St Ninian.

The Pilgrims Cairn of stones keeps growing.

A quick look round Wigtown took us down to the Distillery at Bladnoch.
I just loved this reflective view under the bridge.

While showing my friends round the distillery we bumped into Raymond.He was sampling a vat which was seventy percent towards being Bottled Bladnoch.He invited us to smell the aqua vitae.It was heavenly.
This must have affected us all,because the next half hour was a wonderful and often funny chinwag with Raymond.


The day was complete when we ate a first class and splendid meal at the Bladnoch Inn.
I'll admit i didn't take this last picture-it's from their own website.