Wigtownshire Ramblers New Luce December 2012

Saturday the 1st of December

Today's walk should be one we've done before.

2009 Walk

2010 Walk

(Because of steadier progress than anticipated, the majority of the group did a circular walk)

We're a group of 23 two legs and one 4 leg (Tilly) as we meet up at New Luce.

The "Farmer" is again the walk leader. 

Shorty will be writing the report and it will follow the pictures.   

It's a cold frosty morning as we set off.

I've mentioned the cyst with secret meeting place names before.

New Luce Art 

After a couple of kilometers we reach the S.U.W at Cruise.

It's downhill to the Water of Luce footbridge.

With no distance views today, I take lots of people pictures.

Across the bridge we walk south. No one fell in the burn.

Nearing Craig Farm

Tilly

Approaching the house at Craig Crossing a black labrador got all excited. 

We soon found out the reason why..............aren't they gorgeous ?

A path now takes us through a wooded plantation.

We emerge in an area the walk leader knows well.

He farmed here for many years.

A short walk along a forest road brings us to stony mound where lunch is taken

After lunch we move into a section of forest that's strewn with fallen trees and wet boggy patches. It takes a while to get everyone together again.

Out of the woods we're on solid ground and the SUW proper again.

The "Farmer" talks to an acquaintance in a passing vehicle.  

After passing Glenwhan Loch we reach the Castle Kennedy to New Luce road.

This was when the decision to change the route took place with five walkers continuing to Castle Kennedy and the rest turning back to New Luce.

Three and a quarter miles later we re-enter New Luce.

"This stone was brought from the fortification of Sevastapol by the late Admiral Sir John Dalrymple-Hay of Castle of Park, Glenluce, who commanded a battleship during the Crimean War in 1856. He presented the stone to the minister of the Free Kirk, then resident here at Mansewood".

On reaching the Kenmuir Arms in the village, we all piled in for refreshments. I had a very welcome Shandy and Mince Pie.

The Christmas lights on the town hall were lit by the time we got back to the cars.

A good ten mile hike today.

Here's Shorty's Report

Wigtownshire Ramblers - 1 December 2012 – New Luce Circular

Saturday dawned with clear blue skies and a sharp frost.  The low sun provided little warmth but twenty three ramblers assembled at New Luce memorial hall anticipating a brisk walk to Castle Kennedy.  We set off down the Glenluce road and soon passed Cruise Farm.  The group turned through a gate and descended the frost covered field towards the river along the Southern Upland Way (SUW).  Once we reached the lower ground there was evidence that the river had taken a shortcut through the field during the recent floods.  The “new” bridge over the river, an elegant suspension bridge erected by the army, took us over the Water of Luce.

After crossing the bridge we turned off the SUW and climbed onto the wooded banks below the railway line.  As we walked along a train passed at head level as it scurried down to Stranraer.  A little further along the bank our leader pointed out the remains of an old railway cottage and a level crossing.  He remembered when the track was passable for motor vehicles travelling between Craig Farm and Airyolland.  There is little evidence of the track at this point other than gates in the rail side fence.  He also recalled an aerial ropeway in place which brought milk from Galdenoch Farm on the other side of the river.

After crossing a small burn the track became more evident.  It was followed to Craig Farm and then further south to a second railway crossing.  Here we were met by an enthusiastic Labrador who proudly showed off her two excited puppies who were corralled in the porch.  The leader then telephoned the signalman and, having been given the all clear the ramblers hurried across the line and up into the forest.  At the start of the path we noticed a squirrel feeder attached to a tree.  We then realised it was being monitored by a camera.  The scientists will be seeing some unusual activity in the area.  A steep climb through the wood then led us to a forest road.  We then continued uphill to the end of the road where the group paused for lunch in a grassy clearing bathed in the weak winter sun.

After lunch the group struggled to their feet and entered the forest following an old dyke northwards.  Several minor diversions were necessary to avoid boggy ground and fallen trees but eventually we arrived at the end of another forest track.  The track was followed westwards.  Initially it was overgrown and very wet in patches but it improved as we went along and soon the walkers were able to walk side by side and conversation returned to its usual pitch.

As we went along numerous deer tracks from both Red and Roe deer were seen.  Later we met the stalker driving in to commence his evening session of deer control.  We also noticed various red tapes tied to trees and bushes and sections of fine string running along the road.  A little further on we came to the old quarry where there had been recent work leaving newly cut rock faces and large piles of crushed stone.  We suspected that further felling is planned and that the track will be in much better condition next time we visit.  The tapes and string were probably marking and measuring the work required.

A short walk then brought us to the SUW again and the main New Luce to Castle Kennedy road.  The walk had taken longer than anticipated and darkness was approaching.  It was therefore decided to abandon the route along the SUW to Castle Kennedy as originally planned.  A small group followed the road down to Castle Kennedy and the waiting cars while the remaining walkers stegged back to New Luce along the road.  Once again the hosts at the Kenmuir Arms provided a warm welcome and excellent tea and cakes, making a superb end to the walk.

Next week’s walk is a leisurely figure of eight walk of about six miles in the countryside and woods around Gatehouse of Fleet.  New walkers are always welcome.  Meet at 09:00 at the Breastworks Car Park in Stranraer or 09:30 at the Riverside Car Park in Newton Stewart to share transport.  The walk will start from the Tourist Centre car park in Gatehouse of Fleet at 10:00.  If meeting at the start or for other queries, please contact the walk leader on 01671 403351.

Darvel-Loudoun Hill November 2012

Wenesday the 28th November

I'm on my way to pick up the 'Teacher' at Girvan, to head out to Cumnock, where we'll jump into the 'Sloane Ranger's' car. (Note new nickname, click on the link and see if you agree) and head for Darvel.

I'm up early enough to catch the moon.

Up at Girvan, the moon's just dropping behind Arran's hills.

There's been a hard frost, so it takes a while to get to Cumnock, but we're soon on our way and park up in Darvel. We start the walk at half ten which is fine. The Cunninghame Ramblers walked this on Saturday. The Ayrshire Blogger posted the walk before going out on Sunday and snapping his tibia and fibula. Get well soon Gordon. 

Darvel was established in the late 18th century, and a number of buildings have dates on them.

After walking east out of the town we climb a short way up Cemetary Road and join the old Darvel to Strathaven Railway Line

Coming across a small flock of flighty birds a moment of inspiration had me identifying them as Fieldfare

I'm sure that's right, I struggled to zoom in and get one to sit still for long enough.

There's still some of the mud around that the Cunninghame Ramblers encountered, but the frost has been helpful in making the ground much easier to walk along.

We and the trees create long shadows.

At least half a dozen planes passed over during the walk.

The bottom small plane is a 2007 two seater Aeroprakt A.22L Foxbat registered just along the road at Strathaven

At Newlands we leave the railway track to take a steepish tarmac road up to the back of Loudoun Hill.

A short but steep and slippy climb soon gets us to the summit.

We reach the trig point which has a flush bracket Benchmark S4269

The plaque just below the summit reads.

'Battle of Loudoun Hill, May 10 1307, Through devotion and by willing hands this stone was hauled here to commemorate the first victory of King Robert the Bruce who won for us freedom from serfdom'

It's lunch time.

An inscribed rock declares Wallace of Ellerslie 1270 to 1305.

This link will take you to Kyn Wai Chung's Biography of William Wallace.

At the bottom of Loudoun Hill s this monument to Wallace.

Because we're close to the shortest day of the year, we decided we wouldn't have the time to cross over to the otherside of the Irvine Valley so decided to retrace our steps back to Darvel

Descending Loudoun we came across some very interesting bits of broken branches.

I'll admit I haven't seen anything like this before. It looks like mould or fungi that's frozen to give these wonderful patterns. If anyone can throw light on this I'll update the post.

On the way back we again have fun with the shadows.

Back in town we spot some other old houses with dates 1772 and 1797 then make our way to Hasting's Square.

In Hasting's Square is a plaque in memory of  the Regiments based in Darvel during WW2, The Dagon Stone a prehistoric monolith and the bust commemorating Sir Alexander Fleming of penicillin fame.

A very worthwhile and enjoyable walk in excellent company.

Wigtownshire Ramblers Loch Trool 25th November 2012

Saturday the 25th of November

Today's walk is a Loch Trool circular. This was originally meant to be a ten mile figure of  eight, but has been shortened to around six miles because of the Water of Trool flooding earlier in the week.

Today's leader will be the 'Milkmaid' after volunteering to step in as a back up to Scoop who will now be the deputy leader. The 'Milkmaid's walk report will follow the pictures.

We're a group of seventeen today. It's the 'International Wigtownshire Ramblers' today as we have as guest walkers one young lady from France and another from New Zealand.

The walk begins from Caldons Car Park and we're taking the newly laid paths eastwards on the southern shore of Loch Trool. The first thing that grabs my attention is this strange looking fungus coming up through the pine needles. It's not in my book, but I've identified it on the net as Clavarioid or Coral fungus. Lovely ! 

The path initially takes us away from the Water of Trool, but eventually returns to the lochside where i take some zooms of Glentrool Lodge on the northern shore.

It's an undulating path. Once the new stones have bedded in the walking will be more comfortable.

Another zoom gets 'The Buchan' and one of the many waterfalls on the Buchan burn.

My Canon Powershot SX40HS doesn't need an extra lens when I can zoom in this far. These ducks were barely visible to the naked eye.

Still zooming I photograph Bruce's Stone, Benyellery and some more of Glentrool Lodge.

We stop at a nice viewpoint for the distribution of the sweeties.

We are on part of the Southern Upland Way hence the solid footbridges at Glenhead.

A short detour brings us to the ruins Glenhead Farm in remarkably good condition. The Forestry Commission want to demolish it. I personally think it would make a good bothy for walkers of the S.U.W but I suppose in these times of austerity there's no money for such a project.

Our next short stop on the return route is at the wonderfully tumbling Gairland Burn. It's always breathtaking.

The bridge over the Buchan burn comes next.

On one side of the bridge is this verse by Sir Walter Scott.

Land of brown heath and shaggy wood,
Land of the mountain and the flood,
Land of my sires! what mortal hand
Can e'er untie the filial band,
That knits me to thy rugged strand!

And on the other side it states.

This road from the Esconchan Gate to Buchan and this Bridge was designed and executed by Randolph 1X Earl of Galloway AD 1861

A short climb brings us to our lunch spot at Bruce's Stone erected to commemorate Bruce's victory at the 'Battle of Glentrool' 

Here's our international visitors giving Scotland a friendly wave.

Another view of Buchan Lodge from Bruce's Stone

Back on the move it's a downhill road walk.

We'd normally take a forest track to get back to Caldons, but forestry operations mean we have to keep to the road.

Back at Caldons car park we divest ourselves of our rucksacks and cross over to the southern bank of the Water of Trool to begin walking east.

This info board can be read by right clicking and selecting 'Open in new tab', then clicking on the picture in that new tab.

I've blogged this Martyr's Tomb before but more information can be found on the British Listed Buildings site.

My ice sculpture pictures albeit small are beginning to take shape. 

After walking around half a mile and reaching the point where the Water of Trool had flooded we find that the water had now receded. However because the walk had already been changed we would conclude the walk by retracing our steps to the car park.

Spotting this dead tree on the way back I took a closer look. Scoop soon followed.

The dead tree must be a Birch since these are Hoof Fungus and Birch Polypore which only grow on Birch trees.

 My fellow snapper also took some wonderful pictures, and many of these will be available in the new year on www.damnaglaur.blogspot.co.uk when I get the site sorted out. (Regarding www.damnaglaur.blogspot.co.uk there's a problem at the moment if the browser is I.E, but no problem on other browsers)

Thanks for the pictures Scoop.

On our return to Newton Stewart our scheduled after walk tea and scones was due to be taken in the Belted Galloway. Because of the flooding earlier in the week it was still closed, however the proprietor was kind enough to arrange the Old Toll House in his other establishment The Galloway Arms Hotel for our use. 

A lovely end to a very enjoyable day's walking.

Here's the 'Milkmaid''s report. She's related to 'Wheels' you know !


Wigtownshire Ramblers report 24/11/12

On Saturday, 17 ramblers, including two visitors, one from New Zealand and one from Normandy, met at Caldons car park, Glen Trool, for a circular walk around Loch Trool. This was shorter than originally intended. Part of the walk was abandoned due to flooding of the Water of Trool. 

Setting off through the old campsite the air was fresh and crisp, the trees and undergrowth coated with frost. A red squirrel was spotted in the branches overhead. 

When the new footpath along the south side of Loch Trool was reached, it was found to be a big improvement over the old one. In spite of the recent bad weather, the going was dry and clean, a welcome respite from the mud the group has become accustomed to. The walkers enjoyed the views along this part of the walk. With very little wind, the still waters of Loch Trool reflected the trees perfectly. The Fell of Eschoncan, Benyellary and Buchan Hill were clothed in the burnt orange colours of dead bracken leaves and grasses. 

On reaching the end of Loch Trool a visit was paid to Glenhead farmhouse where walkers found the doors and windows blocked up with breeze blocks. This classic Galloway farmhouse is facing demolition if no other use can be found for it soon.

Pausing to admire the Gairland burn in spate, and the waterfall at Buchan Bridge the group arrive at Bruce’s Stone for lunch. This monument was erected in 1929 to commemorate Robert the Bruce’s first victory over an English army in the Scottish wars of independence. 

The path along the north side of Loch Trool was closed due to logging. Larch trees in this area have been infected by the fungus-like pathogen Phytophthora ramorum which can kill a tree in one growing season.  Once the disease has been detected felling is essential to control the outbreak and stop it spreading to our native trees.

Walkers made their way down the road to reach Caldons car park, where rucksacks were stored in cars. A visit was then made to the nearby Martyrs Tomb which marks the place where six covenanters were killed while at prayer in 1685. From here the group continued to the Water of Trool, pausing to admire bracket fungi on the trunk of a dead tree, before returning to their cars.

 Tea, scones and a roaring fire were enjoyed at The Galloway Arms Hotel in Newton Stewart. 

The next walk on Saturday 1st December is a 9 1/2 mile walk from New Luce to Castle Kennedy. The walk starts at 10 am at New Luce village hall (NX175 645). Meet for car sharing at the Riverside, Newton Stewart, and the Breastworks, Stranraer at 9.30am. If going straight to the start of the walk please phone the walk leader on 01776 700707. New members are always welcome.