26 March Wanlockhead to Sanquhar

An unusual picture of Davie Mc. The only view we normally see is his backside disappearing into the distance.

Alan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Gus & Jimmy



Down Church Street

      Though it was an early start for some to catch the 8:58 bus at Sanquhar for the short journey to Wanlockhead, the five who made the trip were well rewarded for their effort for today the sun shone, the air was clear and the views extensive. We were to follow the Southern Upland Way from Wanlockhead back to Sanquhar, not a long or particularly arduous walk but one which is turning into a favourite.







Past the old graveyard



      A cold south-easterly breeze, blowing off the top of Lowther Hill, greeted us as we left the bus in Wanlockhead but it was a light breeze and it was on our backs so didn’t bother us unduly as we started off down through the village. Down Church Street we came, down past the abandoned church, down past the barking dog who met its match in Holly, down past the old cemetery, down past the beam engine, down past the slag heap, all the time enjoying the sun and the downward slope of the tarmac. Then the tarmac gave out to an unsurfaced road but still the progress was down the valley. The sun went behind one of the clouds being created by the hill country of the Lowthers and the breeze was chill but this was only a temporary blip in what was to be a great day. We crossed the Wanlock water by a footbridge and our downward progress stopped.



A view down the Wanlock Valley from one of our many 'view stops'

      Now came the first climb of the day, a climb up the valley side, a climb that was eased by being on an old track, but a climb nevertheless. We would follow the track over the hill to the ruined farmstead of Cogshead but that was still in the future. As we climbed the track, the sun made a re-appearance and stayed with us for the rest of the day. The climb was warming up and Davie Mc hadn’t quite recovered from his chest infection so ‘view stops’ were called frequently. The view down the Wanlock valley was opening up for us as we climbed and the abandoned farm of Duntercleugh looked almost Highland with its red corrugated iron shed beside it. And beyond the valley Cairntable at Muirkirk was bathed in sunshine. Not so the Lowthers though for when we looked back they brooded ominously dark under heavy clouds. But these clouds wouldn’t reach us and we climbed on in the sunshine. Against our tradition, a halt for coffee was called at the top of this climb and in a spot sheltered from the south-easterly, we settled down for a casual coffee.



      After coffee our progress lay downward again, still following the remains of the old track, down to the ruins of Cogshead. Again, against our tradition, no halt was made here. Instead we tackled the second and last climb of the day, up the stey slope of Willowgrain to the pass by Conrig Hill. Again this was taken in stages but the top of the pass was reached more easily than expected and another halt was called here, this time for lunch.

Our afternoon stop on the Sanquhar Moors

     Now our progress was all downhill and easy. The views from so high on the side of the Nith Valley ware extensive today; from Criffel in the south to Corsencon in the north, the whole of Nithsdale was spread before us; away in the west Cairnsmore of Carsphairn and the Rhinns of Kells showed that the spring had not yet quite sprung by still holding on to patches of the winter snow. And it was this view as well as the warming sun – we were well sheltered from the cold wind now – that cheered us as we dropped down to Brandleys. Another halt was called and we settled down for a break in the sun. The skylark sang high above us and it took some time to spot it high in the blue. And a whaup burbled its evocative moorland song to remind us that spring is indeed just round the corner. And it felt it as we relaxed in the early afternoon sunshine.

      Gus, the first timer on this walk, was asked if he wanted to view the famous Black Loch. Why he declined was beyond us. Maybe it was because we said we would wait for him coming back. Anyway, nobody viewed the Black Loch today, we just kept on our downward progress over the Sanquhar Moor.

      We came into the town by the Coogate, walked along the High Street and partook of an excellent and well merited FRT in the Crown.

      A great day out. And a hint of days to come?