Wigtownshire Ramblers Glenapp Circular April 2013

Saturday the 6th of April 2013

A good turnout for today's walk in Glenapp. There are twenty four of us.

We've parked up next to Dupin Farmhouse adjacent to the A77 in Glenapp.

The 'Farmer' leads today's walk. Although I know parts of the area, it's mostly a new walk for the group.

We'll be on farm track and forest road for much of the walk.

A zigzag climb in a generally easterly direction takes us up Muillbane hill.

We're soon looking back on Finnart's Bay. It's a grand day for a walk. Though it's cool, the climb sees a few top coats being divested.

There's delight on walkers faces when level ground is reached.

We disturb pairs of geese

The 'Farmer' takes us over to view the ponds where the geese flew up from.

It's a controlled wildfowl spot with a number of hides dispersed around the ponds.

We reckon these were Greylag geese on the water.

An interesting milestone at the side of the track.

Does anyone knows the significance of the dates 1987 to 1992 ?

We continue on until we reach open moorland. Here a ninety degree turn puts us in line with Carlock Hill. Carlock Hill was included in a walk we did back in March 2011

  

It's a long downhill stretch

Below us we see Altimeg and Carlock Cottage. Once we're down we cross the Water of Luce.

A short climb brings us up to Carlock House

This is the family seat of the Earl of Inchcape

Our walk leader who has had occasion to visit the house imparts some interesting facts.

Ignore the crossed out passage, I can't get my research right. It wasn't Carlock House that was owned by Sir Ewan, it was Ivan Mackay that bought the Brux Estate in Aberdeenshire that had belonged to the Forbes family. I need my eyes tested.

I was intrigued by a line in this Powerbase link which stated "A sporting estate once owned by an aristocrat who changed sex to marry her housekeeper "  A sensational story back in 1952 it refers to Sir Ewan Forbes of Craigievar, the previous owner of Carlock. Brought up as a girl, he re registered as a male and a month later married his/her housekeeper! A fascinating story with transsexual  and hermaphrodite references.

A reflective picture is called for.

Altikelly Glen sees us crossing the busy A77.

We now join a track leading south. A tree resembling a cactus comes into view.

A lunch spot with a view

It's an unhurried lunch break as we enjoy the views over the Carrick and Galloway Hills.

Time for group pictures

Who's that waving ? Thanks Scoop.

A view up the Water of App Glen

After reaching the end of the track we find we have to descend a quite steep bank through the trees .

It's easy for some, others have to take more care. A couple or three scratches were suffered but the descent was successful.

The 'Weaver' and Scoop take a moment's rest.

Coltsfoot (tussilago farfara) and Primrose (primula vulgaris) are in abundance.

A JCB sits ready to start some drainage work.  

Torrisdale across the Water of Luce. 

Reaching the Bridge of Mark, we again cross the A77.

  

We're taking a look in the grounds of the 'Glen Kirk'

Built in 1849-50 Glenapp Church has seen significant changes mostly related to the Inchcape (Mackay) family.

A track north parallel to the A77 takes us back to Dupin

A pastoral picture to finish the walk.

The Ballantrae Garden Centre Coffee Shop is our destination for after walk refreshments.

It's been a very nice dry weather walk. 

Shorty's writing this week's report and it will appear here.

Wigtownshire Ramblers – Saturday 6 April 2013 – Glen App Circular

Twenty-five ramblers met at the entrance to Dupin Farm, just off the A77 in the upper reaches of Glen App.  Thanks to the farmer they were able to park their cars each side of the track and away from the main road.  The sun shone brilliantly from a clear blue sky and the fierce easterly wind had moderated to a gentle breeze.  Although there were still remnants of snow scattered around the hills it seemed that spring might finally be arriving.

The group set off past the farm and up the forest road which climbed the steep sides of the glen to reach the woodland.  They were relieved when the slope eventually levelled off and the road turned south-eastwards through the forest around Muillbane Hill.  A few geese took off over their heads, honking loudly and most of the walkers took a short diversion to view a duck pond which had been constructed in the forest.  A pair of Greylag Geese were practising sedate synchronised swimming on the peaty water unfazed by the appearance of the brightly clad ramblers.

The ramblers returned to the road and followed it through the forest and out onto the open moorland below Drumdowns.  The track then turned downhill above the Altimeg Burn and the walkers soon found themselves back on the valley floor.  On reaching the Water of App they found that the footbridge marked on the maps was in a ruinous state.  Some paddled over the shallow ford but others found a new footbridge a little further down the river. 

Beyond the river they passed the pheasant rearing pens, empty at this time of year.  A little further on a pet Magpie was fluttering up and down a pen, its feathers shining blue, black and white in the bright sunshine.  The route then started to climb the northern side of the glen.  As they rounded the bend they had a view of Carlock House, the Scottish home of the Earl of Inchcape.  The house is sheltered by magnificent conifer woods but maintains fine views down the valley and across the hills to the south.

The ramblers followed the road up to the A77 which they crossed carefully and took a further forest road which climbed through the forest on the slopes of Carlock Hill.  They walked along the road and came in view of a large dead tree which reminded them of the cacti in the Wild West.  This area was chosen as a lunch stop with its numerous tree stumps providing ideal seats.

After lunch they carried on along the track which followed the contour high above the main road.  The track became more and more overgrown and the ramblers had to weave among the fallen and regrown trees.  Eventually they reached a point where they had to descend to the river.  The route chosen was steeply down through some scrubby woodland and bracken.  This was taken slowly and with a variety of techniques; some proceeding boldly straight down, others sitting down and sliding on the steepest sections.  They were all delighted to find small primroses flowering shyly amongst the dead bracken.  Eventually they all reached another forest track which led them southwest above the river amongst regrowth of larch and sharp whins.

The route passed the cars, inaccessible on the other side of the river and continued down to the Bridge of Mark near Glenapp Church.  They crossed the bridge and the main road and entered the churchyard where they viewed the impressive memorials to James McKay, 1^st Earl of Inchcape and his family.  Beyond the graveyard they followed a farm track, which ran parallel to the main road, back to the cars.

After thanking the leader for creating a most interesting walk most of the ramblers proceeded to the Craigiemains garden centre at Ballantrae for tea and scones which they enjoyed sitting on the terrace in the sunshine.

Next week’s walk, on Saturday 13^th, will be a moderate five mile walk around the hills above Creetown.  New walkers are always welcome but please contact the walk leader before joining.  Meet at 09:00 at the Breastworks Car Park, Stranraer or at 09:30 at the Riverside Car Park, Newton Stewart to share transport.  The walk will start from Adamson Square, Creetown at 10:00 (Grid Ref: NX 475 589).  If going direct to the start or for any other queries please contact the walk leader on 01988 840268.

The Galloway Cog

HOORAY !

I photographed the elusive Galloway Cog. I'd heard a lot about this cross and that the first day of April was the best day to view it, so I got up early and headed through the woods. What an amazing sight greeted me.

CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS AMAZING CREATURE

Wigtownshire Ramblers Monreith March 2013

Saturday the 30th of March.

Today's scheduled walk, the Haggis and Rowantree Hill circular was cancelled due to the probability of deep snow on the route. Instead, last weeks cancelled walk, the Monreith circular will replace it.

Recce on the 20th of March

There are twenty four of us out today.

Walk start at Monreith clifftop car park

Tracks and snowy fields north east from Monreith via Stellock

The Fell of Barhullion

Canmore says there may be chambers or galleries in the prehistoric fort that the cairn sits on.

Time to pose for the camera. 

What a lot of beautiful people.

Towards the Galloway Hills

The top picture is a stone at the base of the Triangulation Pillar.  A carved date appears to read 1874.

Flush Bracket Number S8290

The snowy descent. Fabulous views over to the Mull of Galloway and up Luce Bay

Snow, muddy paths and a drystone wall slowed progress

Passing Drumfad Loch

At Barfad, evidence that the snow plough was needed

A small example of a Snow Cornice

Along the core path from the Clachan of Myrton to the ruins of Hillhead farm

Spring's arriving but winter's hanging on

Lunch at Keepers Cottage looking out on to the White Loch of Myrton

The ruins of the West Lodge

View north west to Dourie Farm and beyond to Garheugh and Auchenmalg

A group photo on Cupid Hill

A blurry picture of fleeing deer, a strange stool, a cow highway and a 'Scoop'

The monkey puzzle plantation

The same deer or another group ?

Crossing the fields south of Monreith House

South Lodge, Blairbuie Bridge and back to Monreith

A very pleasant walk today.

Shorty's report to follow.


Wigtownshire Ramblers – Saturday 30 March 2013.  Monreith Estate

Twenty four ramblers assembled in brilliant sunshine at the cliff top car park in Monreith.  The sky was bright blue with a few white clouds.  However, a keen easterly breeze reminded them that spring had not really arrived yet.

The group set off through the village admiring the various features of the houses.  They particularly noted one where the balcony railings had been replaced with panes of glass to maintain the beautiful view from the windows.  At the south end of the village they followed the signs to the top of the Fell of Barhullion.  The track led up past Stelloch Farm, where they were greeted by the owner and his two enthusiastic dogs.  He described the snowdrifts which had filled the lane for three days and the lack of power over the previous weekend but seemed unfazed by the experience.

The track led round the house and past the ruinous steading.  Just beyond the wood the group intended to turn through the gate towards the fell but found it blocked by snow.  They clambered over it and set off up the field.  The leader described a series of cup and ring carvings on a rock in one of the fields but no amount of searching could find them in spite of their being found easily on the recce the previous week.  The group carried on up the hill, through another gate, this time free of snow, and soon reached the summit of the fell.  There were magnificent views in all directions.  The Isle of Man stood out white against the blue sky to the south, The Mull of Galloway a dark line beyond the blue water of Luce Bay to the west and the Galloway Hills a snow-clad screen to the north-east.  The whole of the Marchars lay as a patchwork of snowdrifts and dark fields below them.

The walkers then descended the north side of the fell where they found their way impeded by a series of snow drifts, some still two or three foot deep.  They found a route across them and made their way through woods and fields to the track around the north side of Drumfad Loch.  They were amazed by the number of different animal tracks which were clearly visible in the lying snow.  Deer, fox, badgers, rabbits, hares and pheasants were all identified.  The going got easier once they reached the track and they continued past the new and refurbished houses at Drumfad and on to the Clachan of Myrton.  At the Clachan they took the designated core path along the side of the old smithy and over the low hill to the ruins of Hillhead Farm.  The snow had caused considerable damage to the ivy clad trees along the path and several diversions had to be made to go round the collapsed vegetation.  Beyond the ruins the track descended back to the county road.  About a hundred metres along the road the group entered the Estate via the North Lodge gate and followed a small path through the woods down to the shore of the White Loch.  Here they found that the snow had brought down the power cables so they proceeded cautiously to the Keepers Cottage where they paused for lunch.  The sun continued to sparkle on the waters of the loch but the cool breeze limited their stay.

After lunch they followed the path round the loch shore. The snowdrops had now largely faded but the daffodils had made little progress since last week.  Spring was struggling to make its presence felt.  Along the loch shore they past a couple of fishermen who were sheltering from the stiff breeze.  They seemed to be having little success in the cold conditions.  

Once they had passed the boathouse the walkers turned away from the loch and followed the track to the ruins of West Lodge.  Once again diversions had to be made to avoid trees brought down by the snow and wind.   The track led over Cupid Hill through the oddly named Botany Bay plantation until they reached the new cow motorways.  They were told that this was part of a system imported from New Zealand where the cows are kept out of doors with the stalls exposed to the elements.  It was not recorded what they thought of the last week’s weather.  From there they followed the tracks to the swamp behind Monreith House where the Skunk Cabbage was beginning to shine yellow from the stagnant water.  They then cut across the fields to the Monkey Puzzle wood.  They noticed that several of the trees were producing cones, promising a good seed year.  They then went down past the Sour Croft to the Blairbuie bridge and took the track, now thankfully largely clear of snow, to the cars in Monreith village.  As no suitable local source of scones had been identified, one group repaired to the County Golf Club and the remaining walkers went to CInamon café for tea and cakes.

Next week’s event will be a moderate walk around the upper reaches of Glen App.  Meet at Riverside Car Park, Newton Stewart at 09:00 or the Breastworks Car Park in Stranraer at 09:30 to share transport. The walk will start from Dupin Farm (NX 082 753) at 10:00.  New walkers are welcome but please contact the walk leader on 01776 700707 before joining the walk.