Scoops Reports 2012 - 18 August Damnaglaur Circular

18 August Damnaglaur Circular  Report by Cath Birkett

The optimism of nineteen walkers was well rewarded this Saturday when a misty start to the day’s excursion turned into hot sunshine by its end.
Jim was first to arrive, with Robert, followed by Robert (Rab) Simpson who was a visitor and whose mum lives in Creetown.  Soon afterwards Ken, Margaret, Audrey, Mary Sloan, Graham (with beard, not seen him for ages), Florence and her friends from the Dales, Judy and Mike then Leslie, Cath, Catherine, Forbes and Isobel arrived.  I introduced my friends, Shirley and Carol, who were staying with me for a week.
I eventually managed to gather them all together, between all the cars and introduced all the visitors before leading them all through the garden to the back gate, forgetting to tell them anything about the walk!
A stroll around the beautifully kept garden of the walk leader at Damnaglaur began what was to be a ramble of continuous delights. The flocks of geese, turkeys and hens at Buckie Knowe along the road, together with various breeds of sheep, gave an interest which was heightened when the old track across by Kildonan croft was taken, with great views down to the little harbour of Drummore, now filled with the incoming tide, shining in the sun.
The school road was climbed to the church on the hill, the Kirk Covenant, so named because it was built in the year of the signing of the Covenant, 1638, to replace the old Kirkmaiden kirk, the remains of which are to be seen on the Mull farm. A diversion into the graveyard was taken to inspect the memorial to those who died on the SS Main, which was torpedoed by a German submarine in 1917. The ship was raised and visitors were allowed on board for a small fee, the money was used to pay for this memorial.
Now the walkers took a route down the dappled Glen Road and across a field to view the standing stone near Kilstay. This is thought to mark an early Christian site and burial ground which is adjacent to another early church recorded nearby.
A little dog thought to join the walkers just at the corner, but was deterred by its owner, and the sea wall was taken to by well-balanced people for the next stretch of the walk, which now took the route of the new coast path.
The walk went mostly to plan except that Forbes and Carol opted to walk along a ledge below the sea wall which was great for a while and then became REALLY difficult as the ledge narrowed and even got covered by the sea and seaweed!  They had really wet feet for the rest of the walk!    Entertainment was provided by a couple who walked along a ledge above the tide, which was not deep at this point, but gave a few wet feet before the road was once more gained.
A colourful garden at the entrance to the village was inspected and the abandoned shore road was followed past flowery and picturesque cottages, now a quiet corner fronting the sea. The harbour, with a half built or half demolished shed spoiling the view, was passed, and an old eighteenth century mill inspected, with its wheel and fast flowing water from the leat still intact.
Along Cailiness road a picnic site with comfortable seats on the beach welcomed the ramblers for a lunch break, a pleasant interlude with birds flying low over the water and the rushing music of waves close by.
A path cut through rampant wild flowers, including the now seeding cups of wild carrot and stands of aromatic mugwort, provided an interesting specimen of ‘robin’s pincushion’ on a wild rose – a hedgerow gall, looking like a mossy ball, which is caused by the minute gall-wasp which lays its eggs in the rose bud in spring.
The caravan site at Maryport was soon reached and the new coast path was left, to climb steeply uphill up past Creechan Farm, the exertion rewarded by splendid views over to the Mull and its lighthouse.
We took advantage of the veranda at the ‘shack’ at Maryport to have a rest and for the walkers to catch up before we went through the boring and deserted caravan site.  The slog up from the site was followed by the lesser but longer one up to and through Creechan, with a stop to view its lovely garden from where there is a fabulous view across to the Mull.
Now it was only a short distance through a field which, just a few days ago, had just been the stubble after silage but which was now very green and often boggy, and along the road back to Damnaglaur where delicious tea in the sunshine awaited hungry walkers, having completed a most pleasant and relaxing circular excursion in the southernmost part of this area.
I got lots of help especially from Shirley, Carol and Audrey, making drinks and cutting, buttering and putting jam on scones before we sat outside, joining the others in the sunshine.  It was a lovely relaxing time and I enjoyed showing Catherine around the garden.

Scoops Reports 2012 - 4 August Loch Inch & Balker Fell

4 August Loch Inch & Balker Fell    Report by Richard Kay

Cath, Thomas and Frances were at Castle Kennedy gardens at 10am to meet the other walkers: Jacqui, Mary, John, Duncan, Irene, Margaret, Audrey, Ken, Mary Sloan, Richard, Andrea, Robert, Gordon and a new lady from near Port William, Anne.  I did a scone count and went into the tea room to ask them to put 8 aside for us for later. Allan Leiper was supposed to have led the walk but was unavoidable detained elsewhere!  Cath agreed to lead the walk backed up by Richard who brought along his map too!
Saturday morning was bright and sunny with only a few clouds sailing across the largely blue sky.  Seventeen ramblers assembled under the trees at the Castle Kennedy gardens car park.  The group set off away from the gardens along the Estate road.  They turned off along a path through the woods around the south-eastern corner of the Black Loch and turned back to the New Luce road.  This was followed for a short distance until they reached the road leading to Sheuchan and Meikle Tongue below the escarpment of Sheuchan Hill.
The track turned uphill into the woods around the slopes of the hill.  Once they had crossed the Sheuchan Burn they turned back along the forest road through an area of recently thinned conifers.  The sharp tang of the recently cut logs stacked along the roadside added to the moist smell of the woods.  The machinery had turned the road rather muddy but it was soon passed.  The route then reached the open fields with views across the woods and lochs of the Estate.  The track followed the contour below the woods past Cullurpattie and on towards Balker Farm.
At Balker the ramblers were greeted vociferously by several dogs who were surprised to see such a large group.  Their owner soon silenced them as the group paused for a short chat.  Beyond Balker the track climbed gently.  Along the way they paused to examine a well set in an alcove in the wall.  A small plaque identified the date as June 1931.
It was Allan’s plan to go up to the mast from where we would get great views and we could have our lunch.  Well, after following the road past various buildings and then getting clogged down in mud as we walked along a track churned up by logging machinery, we started to climb up a good track towards the mast.
Beyond the well the walkers turned right up a track which climbed through the woods to the aerial on the edge of the moor.  Further thinning work had been carried out in the woods and piles of logs for the sawmills and small roundwood for firewood lined the track.  Above the woods the track crossed rougher moorland and climbed along the edge of the wood to the mast with its numerous aerials and equipment cabins.  The group had intended to pause here for lunch but the growth of the trees had obscured the view and the midges were enjoying the damp air hemmed in by the trees.  The ramblers decided to seek a better area and continued across the moor until they reached the open fields above Meikle Tongue.  Here they found a grassy bank with lovely views over the Black Loch to Castle Kennedy and the sea beyond.  A slight breeze kept the midges at bay.  A rumble of thunder and a few spots of rain drew attention to the dark clouds amassing to the north.
Fortunately we only got a very light shower despite the thunder clattering behind us and Margaret got to blow out her one birthday candle which I had stuck into her sandwich and tried to take a photo before the wind did the job for her.
After lunch they descended the steep brae and followed the track back to Cullurpattie.  After the houses they turned down through the woods towards the bridge over the tip of the Black Loch.  After pausing to admire the water lilies on the loch they climbed to the Estate road leading to Lochinch Castle.  They turned away from the castle and followed a rough track between the fields of grain until they reached the woods.  Once they reached the main belt they turned south along an attractive but muddy path through the wood until they reached another track.  The group took this route past some friendly miniature ponies until they reached the main drive.  A single Greylag goose was grazing in the field next to the drive.  Others could be heard honking on the loch below.
A short way up the drive the ramblers turned down towards the old Inch Church and graveyard.  The ruins were well overgrown with ivy and rhododendron and many of the old and ornate gravestones were hidden amongst the vegetation.
I enjoyed spending a bit of time in the old cemetery with its derelict church – many members of the Dalrymple family are buried there, the last seeming to be in 1996, but the area is vastly overgrown, which surprised me.
After crossing the graveyard they followed the old track which was marked only by shallow depressions in the field.  On reaching the woods they turned eastwards until they reached the Castle Kennedy drive.  As they walked back along the drive they had fine views over White Loch to the ruins of the old castle and a distant view of the current one.  Unfortunately the rain decided it had waited long enough and proceeded to deluge the group as they hurried back to their cars.  
I was really flagging and cadged a couple of jelly babies off Richard which gave me a quick sugar boost and then we came to the main drive down into the garden.  Soon afterwards it started to rain in earnest and waterproof jackets were donned for the short section left to walk back to the cars.
The day was concluded with welcome tea and scones in the tearoom before the group dispersed.
We had a quick footwear change before most of us piled into the tea room (not Gordon who had a bus to catch).  We all laughed a lot and enjoyed a longer than usual chat before leaving.  While we were in there the rain bucketed down but eased off as we were about to leave.

Scoops Reports 2012 - 28 July Logan Gardens – Devil’s Bridge

28 July Logan Gardens – Devil’s Bridge  Report by Cath Birkett

Cath, Frances and Elaine got to the gardens just before 10am and met the other walkers there: Jim, Ken, Margaret, Audrey, Florence, Jacqui, Leslie, Linda, Duncan, Irene, Andrea, Robert, Mary, Carl, Catherine Makepeace, Catherine (from PP caravan), Hilary and Mary from Cairnryan.   Elaine went into the Potting Shed Bistro to give the number of those wanting a strawberry tea later and I led for a short while until she caught up with us.
Despite a dismal forecast for the day, the ramblers set out from Logan Gardens in fine weather. Twenty one walkers took the track past Logan House to Logan Mains where they eventually turned towards the sea and Port Gill. Undergrowth was lush, yellow vetch brightened the path and the air filled with the delicious scent of pineapple weed crushed  underfoot.
Ducks, guinea fowl, geese and hens greeted the company at the entrance to the little bay of Port Gill, which was viewed from the cliffs above. Boats pulled up onto the rocky beach and a few caravans by the little inlet made the peaceful bay an ideal holiday hideaway. I think they are just fishermen’s ‘huts’.
 The walk led onwards to the south now. The Iron Age fort of Duniehinnie caused some interest with a few hardy souls adventuring across the narrow link from the cliffs, to explore the remaining lumps and bumps left on the sea   cropped grass.
The flowers were still creating a colourful carpet on the banks and headlands. The delicate Grass of Parnassus grew profusely in one place, while yellow hawkweed dotted the ground and created a golden glow, enhancing the hot sun which appeared from time to time.

I joined Jim, Florence and Catherine in clambering over to a wild flower covered area which looked like it was separated from the main area but which had a narrow section over which we ‘walked’ – I used Catherine for balance until I felt secure enough to do this on my own.  This was the Iron Age Fort of Duniehinnie.  The wild flowers were prolific although they were well past their best.  
 After this I went upwards with Ken, Margaret and Audrey as we had reached a section with a narrow track.  It was easy following the progress of those below us and it was quite good getting photos from a different perspective.
The folly on top of Mull Hill beckoned as the cliffs were navigated. Now only a single wall, which resembles a tower, it was once part of a larger building, but its original purpose is now obscure. Wild carrot, whose flowers were being inspected by a host of orange insects,   clothed the steep grassy sides which led to narrow inlets all along this stretch of cliff, with the sea roaring through restricted passages, creating a foamy swirling surface.
A curious seal popped up to watch the ramblers pass by.
 The force of the sea acting upon the rocks was seen in the jagged shapes of the sea girt stacks and caves which have been eaten out of the cliffs, and then the spectacular Devil’s Bridge, a great archway with a large flat rock alongside where shags rested. Here the company also rested for lunch whilst herring gulls wheeled overhead, screaming at the intrusion of so many walkers.
Some of the walkers stayed further up, reasoning that if they came down they would have to go back up again but I tried to encourage some to  come to see the bridge – they had not realized that this was what I was calling to them about!!  Even the small groups near where Florence and I sat having lunch did not know that this was the reason this lunch spot had been chosen.  Some walkers moved on not even seeing the bridge!  Soon afterwards, Jim, Catherine and Florence made  their way down to stand on the  top of the bridge which is MUCH wider than it seems from either side, and we took loads of photos of them from the other side of it.
 Views across to Ireland were hazy but the Mountains of Mourne stood out, and the gap which showed the entrance to Belfast Lough could be clearly seen. The broch at Ardwell Bay and the nearer bay of Drumbreddon were picked out along the coast north, and then as the corner turned the view south included the picturesque village of Port Logan; this all increased the satisfaction of walking on such a beautiful coastline.
 Another rock bridge, this time much smaller, was passed where a new core path was being fenced to create better access along this coast.
There was a short section where we looked down onto rocks with their wonderful semi-vertical layering, the sparkling blue of the sea, while in the distance black storm clouds were coming closer, in contrast to the stunning yellow of the ladies bedstraw which lined our track – it was magic!
As the walkers crossed the fields to a quiet road leading onto a Logan estate track, and passed the gamekeeper’s house with kennels of barking dogs, the rain suddenly came on with force. But by the time the cars were reached once more, the tarmac on the car park was steaming.
Heat from the summer sun welcomed the ramblers to a cream tea in the restaurant, set alongside the lovely walled gardens. A delicious end to a most enjoyable walk.

Scoops Reports 2012 - 21 July Big Hill of Glenmount & Ness Glen

21 July  Big Hill of Glenmount & Ness Glen  Report by Jim Deans

  

  

  

  

Elaine arrived in the nick of time to join us on the bus from Stranraer.  The driver was anxious to be on the move as were Frances, Rachel, Audrey, Margaret, Susan, Jacqui, Mary, Linda, Leslie and John.  Susan and Carol followed behind in their car. There was a hold up at traffic lights on the A75 after we had picked up Ken – a lorry had gone off the road and was on its side in a ditch.  So we got to Newton Stewart 10-15 minutes after the time scheduled. Jim, Mary Sloan, Robert and Catherine joined us.  Our driver dropped us off at the Roundhouse – a cafe where we ordered a dozen and a half scones to be consumed later!  Waiting for us there were Douglas, Christine, Gordon, Lorna (who Douglas and Gordon walk with each week), Carl and Christine Sloan.  A few of the walkers decided to have tea before we set off so, added to the fact that we were late in arriving anyway, we were a good half hour late in starting our climb up away from the cafe.
Twenty-four walkers met at the Roundhouse on Loch Doon for the walk start. Two thirds of them enjoyed a comfortable ride up in a Wigtownshire Community Transport bus. The forecast was for white cloud with occasional sunshine.
 Jim decided to cut out the first of the hills we were to climb but Leslie headed off there anyway – we could see him clearly when he reached its summit.
With a resplendent Loch Doon behind, the walk started westerly with a gradual climb of Glessel Hill.  From here the next target of Big Hill of Glenmount could be seen. First a scrubby patch of moorland had to be crossed. Occasional quad bike tracks assisted, but tussocks  and  bog  slowed down progress.  Eventually a drystane dyke below the hill was reached and the going became easier.
After a steady climb the trigpoint on the summit at 382 metres was reached. There were no far reaching views today, but magnificent views of the Galloway hills and surrounding lochs were enjoyed.
We eventually got to the top of the Bill Hill of Glenmount, and we  thought we would see Leslie there.  Unfortunately he wasn’t so, after a photo call and some discussion, it was decided that Gordon would go to look for him since he knows the area well.  Lorna went with him so that she could enjoy going at a quicker pace than ours!
 After a short break the walk continued. A long downhill stretch, more tussocks and a steady climb via bracken-strewn slopes now brought the group to the Wee Hill of Glenmount. With occasional glimpses of the sun, a lunch break was taken.

Looking back, the Big Hill of Glenmount looked like an enormous pyramid.  A picturesque drystane sheepfold enhanced the view.  Following a leisurely lunch the group now made their way north over moorland to the ruins of the former farmstead of Little Shalloch.
  The boggy track now accessed was once a main thoroughfare connecting the hamlets of Dalcairney and Knockdon. After following the track northeast for one kilometre, a change of direction east across the moors brought them to the small hill of Carwaur. Here another short break was taken while the sun shone.
Fields of horses were now visible as the estate of Craigengillan was in reach. Also in view was the almost completed Scottish Dark Sky Observatory. Due to open in October, it will be open to the public and school groups for day-time and night-time visits.  It was here that Ken realized he had left his pole back at where we had taken our last break.  Nothing could stop him from going back – a long way – and a few walkers opted to wait with Christine Sloan who was the back up.  We found out later that his pole was not there and he thought that perhaps he had left it at the derelict house!  Christine and company had waited half an hour for him. 
After passing a small reservoir the group now entered the estate and made their way to Craigengillan House. Here the walk leader told some of the history of the founding family in 1580, the McAdams, and their descendants, who remained the proprietors until 1999. They also heard the tragic tale of one Quintin McAdam who died in 1806. They also learned of the hard work of the present owner Mark Gibson in opening up the estate and Ness Glen to the public.
As we went through the wood we met up with Leslie, Gordon and Lorna.  Gordon had been in touch earlier to say that he had found Leslie.   When we reached the river we parted company with Gordon who had left his car nearby.  (These are Jim’s photos)
 A short tour of the estate including a lovely view of a picturesque thatched cottage now saw the group reach the northern end of Ness Glen.  Restored to its full glory in 2004/5 this geographical delight of the Victorians followed the River Doon back to its source of Loch Doon. A Site of Special Scientific Interest, the deep gorge has a myriad of rare mosses and ferns, while the river runs over rapids, falls and fast flowing streams. Needless to say the photographers in the group had a field day.
I took so long over photographing the bubbling, cascading water that Christine’s group caught up with me – the rest of the group with whom I had been walking were long gone! I moved on more quickly than the others which was just as well as there  were only two scones left although one  had been put aside for me anyway!

Back at the walk start, the proprietor of the Roundhouse catered admirably with tea, coffee and various scones and confectionery for the after walk refreshments. It was a contented crowd that mounted the bus back to Wigtownshire.

We enjoyed sitting outside having our tea/coffee and scones, for about 15 minutes before   the driver of our bus said he was ready to go.  Rachel moved forward on the bus to get a seat where she was less likely to feel sick and Susan joined us at the back.  The journey took two hours each way but the return journey seemed to go quicker than my expectation!  My body did not seem to be quite so shaken up either!