2013 - 19 January - Kirroughtree – Newton Stewart

19 January Kirroughtree – Newton Stewart

19 January Kirroughtree – Newton Stewart   Report by Richard Kay

Eighteen ramblers and one well behaved dog met at the Anglers’ car park at the top of the Mines Hill above Blackcraig. 

Frances, Isobel and Sheila (new), drove to Newton Stewart where they met other walkers: Richard (leading), Jim, Mary, Claire, John (two poles), sisters Erica and Rosie (new) and Ken.   I then followed Richard who turned off at Blackcraig and then took another left turn which took us up a really steep hill with passing places, to the Fisherman’s Car Park.  Peter walked up the road from his house, with Bella, his dog. Florence arrived soon after with Jimmy, Mary (Cairnryan) and David (not put off by his epic climb last week!) as did Irene and Duncan.   We were a total of 18 walkers.  Richard was leading us as Andrea was unable to do so and he proposed me as backup because I am ‘always at the back anyway’!  I phoned Cinnamon to advise them of the number of scones required and gave them an estimated time of our arrival there.

The weak winter sun was working its way through the thin clouds and the ground was sprinkled with a light dusting of fine snow.  It promised to be a fine day for a walk.

I was totally surprised when we went uphill into the forest and came across a way marker for the Lade Walk in Kirroughtrie – I had no idea that this was so close to Blackcraig!  

The group headed off following the newly constructed Yellow Route which wound its way through the trees down to the Bruntis Lochs. These were built as a water source for the lead mines and could be regarded as industrial dereliction but are now a most attractive feature of the forest.  When they reached the big loch a pair of herons wheeled above the glassy water, silhouetted against a clear blue sky. 

Richard led us over tracks and forest roads and we soon reached the Bruntis Lochs.  The reflections were just wonderful which, added to a big area of ice on the water, gave the photographers amongst us plenty of scope!   We had a long stop on the other side of the larger of the two lochs, having crossed the beautiful bridge over a burn and admired the Jewel Stone.  There was plenty of photographic material here and I had to rush to catch up with the others with Mary who, like me, was trying to capture the image of a beautiful robin who kept pace with us for a while.

There was a short pause to admire the ornate bridge over the outflow from the main loch and the repaired Jewel Stone, a symbol of one of the Seven Stanes cycle routes.  As they stood there a cyclist whirred past on the downhill run towards the visitor centre.  The group then made their way round the north-east side of the loch until an old track led northwards to a forest road.  The forest road was followed round the north side of the loch until the leader realised he had missed a turn and they back tracked a little way to where the Blue walking route led up through the trees to yet another forest road.  This road was followed south-westwards until a short track followed a moss decked dyke to an upper road where the group turned northwards, following the white trail round Larg Hill.  Along the way they met two other ramblers who were walking a borrowed dog in the opposite direction.  Greetings were exchanged and the ramblers continued on their way.    
We were delighted to see Marie and Peter coming towards us with a spaniel – that of friends – which was more interested in greeting Bella, Peter’s spaniel. 
Views of the snow covered hills were seen sporadically through the larch trees.  They looked magnificent in the sparkling sunshine.

Soon afterwards we left this stretch of forest road to negotiate a moss covered dyke into the rougher ground of one of the fields of Larg Farm.  Peter and Bella left us then to return home and the rest of us concentrated on avoiding brambles and admiring the views of the snow covered hills in the distance.

The group followed the lower road below Larg Hill until they reached the edge of the fields of Larg Farm.  At this point one member and his dog left the group to walk home and the remaining walkers crossed the fields down to the remains of the Larg Tower, and ancient tower house believed to have been the seat of the McKie family.  This was built on land granted to the McKie family by Robert the Bruce for services to the king during the wars of independence. 

After examining the ruins they crossed another field and reached the New Galloway road by Larg Cottages.  The road was crossed and the ramblers followed the old road line up into the Doon Wood.  
It was really brilliant being led on a walk where most of us had not been before and the interest continued after we crossed the road and entered more woodland. 

They left the track and walked through the lovely larch wood to the Parliament Knowe.  This was an old hill fort of unusually small dimensions which had been used as a traditional camping ground for passing tinkers.  It is believed that the name derives from the practice of local miners meeting there to discuss their mutual problems.  Lunch was taken on the top of the knowe where quarrying activity had provided ideal seating.

The sun now disappeared behind scudding clouds and the temperature dropped markedly.  The ramblers returned to the old track and climbed towards the Doon Fields. The fields which are completely screened by woodland, had once been used as a training site for young motocross riders.  All signs of their activities have now healed.  The group crossed the field and went back into the woods.  This section is known as the Wild Wood.  The area is predominantly conifer plantation but scattered older broadleaved trees suggest that there may have been an old wood on the site. 
It was here that I was lucky to catch sight of a buzzard taking off from its high point in the trees.

The original intention was to walk further round Clark’s Wood to the east but felling of areas of Larch following the identification of the Phytophthora disease meant that they avoided these areas and turned directly down to the Bower Wood.  There was no sign of the local Fallow Deer which are commonly seen here.  Perhaps they had all gone down to Minnigaff village where they had been causing problems for gardeners.  The group left Bower Wood and crossed the golf course to the doocot which stood between the fairways. This was examined and the group was amazed at the number of cells in such a small building.  As no golfers were in sight, the ramblers then crossed the next fairway and entered the track leading to the Kirroughtree Stables. 

The track was followed round through the chalet park and down to Minnigaff.  The main road was crossed and the group picked their way by the driest possible route past Broomisle Cottage and down to the river.  This cottage was most unusual in that it has no road access and the occupants have to make their way as best they can over the fields.  Recent wet weather had apparently made this very difficult.  The group reached the riverside path and were amazed to see how high the debris from the recent floods had spread up the riverside trees.  The path had also been severely eroded by the floods.  The group made their way round the potholes and crossed the Sparling Bridge to the end of their walk in the Riverside car park.  While the drivers were ferried back to the start to collect their cars the remaining ramblers made their way to Cinnamon where they all enjoyed tea and scones.

I went in Jim’s car, along with Ken and Jimmy back to Blackcraigs to collect my car before joining the others in Cinnamon.  We were really pleased that Andrea was able to join us.  The staff at Cinnamon had put lots of tables together for us and, with a little bit of shunting, we managed to get all the walkers, including Ken, sitting together!

Scoops Reports 2012 - 6 October Newton Stewart Circular

6 October Newton Stewart Circular  Report by Jim Deans

 Small hill by Barbuchany.

Frances, Isobel, Rachel and Heather met the other walkers in Newton Stewart: Carl, Irene, Duncan, Mary x 2, Peter, Ken, Margaret, Audrey, Gordon, Linda, Leslie, John and Jim who was leading the walk.  Jim and I did a quick recce of the Belted Galloway, a recently new restaurant at the side of the car park and then enquired of the Ramblers who wanted a scone later.  We informed the owners of this lovely venue – a dozen, we thought.
On a bright morning with a decent weather forecast, eighteen ramblers met at the Riverside car park, Newton Stewart for the walk.
The walk began by crossing the Cree at Sparling Bridge, and following the river up to Creebridge.  It's recorded that Robert the Bruce forded the Cree at this point in 1329 on a pilgrimage to St Ninians.
From here the route went through Minnigaff to Kirroughtree House. A short stop was taken for the walk leader to read out some of its history and association with Robert Burns and the Heron family.
The garden through which we were walking was full of early autumnal colour, in particular the rhododendrons and maples.
The perimeter path of Newton Stewart Golf course led up to the tenth tee where Wild Wood was accessed. The walk continued along the sometime muddy track to Bower Wood and the Old Edinburgh Rd at Minnigaff.
Carl and I lagged behind here, taking photos of the view of NS from the golf course and then of the tracks of footprints formed by the walkers as they disturbed the early morning dew!  A haze hung around the perimeters of the course which diverted us before we joined the others in the wood.  Here, the leaves were not in full autumnal colour but the bracken was in various stages of change while the floor of the wood was covered in an orange carpet.
The group now made their way to the Queen Mary Bridge, the site of the old Cumloden Woollen Mill. Now converted to upmarket flats, a millstone is still visible through one of the windows on the Penkiln side. On the bridge attempts were made to secure a wish by cleanly dropping pebbles into the wishing pot. A cheer would accompany a successful drop.
The next point of interest was Minnigaff Parish Church. The 900 year old Yew tree and the listed Heron memorial were among the many points of interest. Here the walk leader set the group the task of finding the headstone depicting an arrow piercing two ravens. This is related to the legend of the three brothers, McKie, Murdoch and McLurg trying to impress Robert the Bruce. One of the brothers shot two ravens with one arrow.  The search was successful.
I love wandering around this amazing cemetery, full of interesting memorial stones, many of which had been sculpted into beautiful shapes – some of these were not quite so beautiful as demonstrated in the one which a member of our group found – was its discoverer Audrey?
A lunch stop was taken on the banks of the Cree by the King George V and Queen Mary suspension bridge. A light shower saw a number of umbrellas produced.
Jim retraced our steps for a short way after we realized that Mary (Cairnryan) was not with the group.  She had not realized that we had left the cemetery but had met some walkers to whom we had chatted fleetingly earlier, and they had pointed her in our direction.  She was not far away when Jim met her!
After lunch the group made their way over the bridge and up to King Street. Here they learned that when the mills were in production, King Street and Arthur Street went by the names of Cotton Mill Row and the Gorbals.
A left turn at Duncree led to the old coach road which originally went from Old Hall Farm to House O' Hill. Here panoramic views of the Galloway hills were enjoyed.
The route now took a ninety degree turn south. Following drystone walls and crossing excellent stone stiles, fields of various sheep were crossed above Old Hall farm and Douglas Ewart High School to reach Corsbie road.
After entering Blairmount Park, an unexpected diversion took the group up to the trig point on Doon Hill. Very few people knew of the existence of a trig point in Newton Stewart. After encircling Blairmount Pond, the Barnkirk road and the A75 were carefully crossed.

Open fields were now crossed to begin the ascent to the mobile phone mast above Barrhill Wood.

Arriving at the mast a tea/coffee break was taken. The view of Newton Stewart from this point truly shows the town to be the Gateway to the Galloway Hills. The good weather allowed most of the hills of the Minnigaff range to be identified.
It is from here and down towards the Cree Valley that I always love the views and I took just as many photos as usual – Carl was busy recording the view with his video camera – we had to hurry to catch up again!
The descent eastwards afforded wonderful views of the Cree Valley. After crossing the embankment of the old railway line into Newton Stewart, an old metal gate was climbed and the riverside walking and cycle path accessed. From here a lovely riverside stroll brought the group back to the start point.
Tea, coffee, scones and other culinary delights at the Belted Galloway completed a very enjoyable day.
I think the only walker who did not partake of refreshments here was Peter who was anxious to get back to Bella, his dog, so that he could have another walk!  Despite asking for a dozen scones to be set aside, when the group saw the selection of cakes available, many of them had a change of mind!  The owners were very accommodating and made sure that we had plenty of tea and coffee – we shall go there again!

Scoops Reports 2010 - 4 December Newton Stewart Circular

Wigtownshire Ramblers 4 December Newton Stewart Circular

The Ramblers excelled themselves this week by managing to lose two walkers even before they started. The group had decided to abandon plans to walk on the Southern Upland way near Derry and instead, in view of the weather conditions, to do the safer walk around Newton Stewart. Unfortunately, two walkers missed the message and disappeared for the rest of the day. Florence, Frances, Isobel, Audrey, Jack, Forbes, Graeme from N. Yorks who is visiting family in Stranraer and Mary Mitchell discussed the condition of the roads.  A decision was made, on the advice of a roving mountain rescue volunteer in his Sainsbury sponsored vehicle, not to do the planned walk which would have entailed a really difficult journey along minor, icy roads.  We tried to phone Jim who had been expected to be there and who, we were sure, had taken Ken whose car was in the car park, but his phone was switched off – we were pretty upset about their not being there but just had to set off without them.

The walk around Newton Stewart has been done three times before but the addition of snow made it look very different.  The mist was hanging low over the landscape and at times it meant our views were obscured but it was SO atmospheric and, with the sun shimmering   through the trees the landscape was beautiful.

The start was quite treacherous as they negotiated icy conditions over the Sparlin Bridge and along the riverbank. One walker was wearing overshoe grips and was obviously more at ease on the black ice. The steady climb past Kirroughtree Hotel and on over the Golf course up to the top of Clarks Wood soon warmed everyone up. A buzzard and a heron soared upward as they passed by, and there were many tracks in the snow, causing much debate over which animals had made them. At one point it looked as if there had been a rally of rabbits having a party.

They acquired the company of a chocolate coloured labrador at Kirroughtree who couldn’t be persuaded to return home until the group emerged from the Bower Wood, whereupon he took off without a farewell bark.

On reaching the Old Edinburgh Road they made their way to the Queen Mary Bridge where attempts were made to drop pebbles into the wishing pot. 

Another doggy encounter was made after crossing Queen Mary’s Bridge when a sixteen week old collie puppy out for a walk with his owner greeted the group enthusiastically.

We took our time wandering around Monnigaff Parish Churchyard before heading for the King George V Suspension Bridge and made use of the picnic tables beside it to have our lunch. We crossed the bridge then headed up the Girvan road turning left up the hill at Duncree.. 

Lunch was taken on the river bank below the Bridge. After clearing the picnic tables of snow the walkers had a lovely view over the frozen Cree. It was too cold to sit for long and the Ramblers were soon off again up the track towards Old Hall Farm where cross-ing the dykes was a treacherous affair owing to the ice. Unfortunately, there were no views from the hill because the town and the hills beyond were covered by a thick haze.

The walk went on skirting the frozen pond in Doonhill Wood, crossing the quiet A75 and onwards and upwards to the mast on top of Barrhill.

Here there was a spectacular view as the mist had cleared and the range of hills beyond the town were clearly visible, sparkling with snow under a blue, blue sky. Comparisons were made between this walk and the one undertaken in May during the walking festival when the temperatures were somewhat higher.

The walk continued down to the cycle track and back into the town where hot drinks and teacakes were enjoyed. Some members went off to visit Cunninghame’s outdoor shop, where the launch of the Walking Festival was taking place, with the intent of buying overshoe grips.

 It was a wonderful walk, with great company and gorgeous views and I was purring constantly!  We got back to the cars about 3.30pm and Florence, Isobel, Forbes, Richard, Andrea and I went to

Riverbank cafe for drinks and cakes and then, without Richard and Andrea went across to Cunningham’s where the new NS walking festival programme was there for viewing.