Wednesday 18th October 2017 - Queensberry Hill

Some images of the walk up Queensberry featuring Alan McQ, Alan S, Davie C, Davie McM, Dougie, Gus, Ian, Jimmy, Rex and Robert.

 

    We set off from Mitchellslacks farm near Thornhill at 10:07

          and followed the track alongside the Capel burn.

 

    Some thought that this was the bothy but it is a ruin called "New House" on the map.

    Another ruin called "New Burleywhag" can be seen in the distance

    Underfoot conditions were very wet

    The guys helped to carry slates in to the bothy for a future workparty

    The bothy lies below the Daer Hass and Earncraig Hill

 

    Burleywhag has been maintained by the Mountain Bothies Association since 1979

    Holly remained outside the bothy

    whilst the others enjoyed their coffee inside.

   

 

 

  

   

    FRT was taken in The Crown in Sanquhar

 

 

 

 Here are some images taken from the summit of Queensberry last October

 

    Summit cairn looking northwards

    Moffat hills to the east

    View northwards includes a glimpse of the Daer reservoir as well as the Clyde windfarm

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?

Durisdeer 5 March

Allan, Davie C, Gus, Jimmy, Johnny, Malcolm, Rex, Robert

On the way up

The skies were overcast as we met at Durisdeer for the Morton Castle walk. Robert assured us that the weather was going to be fine so we set off in an clockwise direction passing beside the cemetery and following the track up to Kettleton Bothy. When the backmarker arrived - guess who! – he was surprised to see the assembled company having coffee alfresco. “There are three guys in there still asleep”, said Jimmy, explaining the situation. It was later determined that the boys were from Thornhill, ‘getting away for the night’.

And down

By 11.15 we were on our way again and were soon at our highest point, looking down on Kettleton reservoir and beyond to Thornhill. The skies were lighter by this time and fine views were to be had. Having gone downhill and onto tarmac we reached Morton castle for lunch at about 12.45.

“An hour and a half back to the cars”, exclaimed Jimmy who, having left the house without camera or wallet, was still trying to find a friend who would buy him a pint.

Morton Castle in the distance

And closer up

Where's Malcolm's hand? It brought a smile to Johnny's face!

It is a measure of the pace that was set that we got back to Durisdeer in a tad over the hour. No bad thing as the rain had begun, but Robert had been right in that the day up to now had been much better than the BBC had forecast.

FRT was taken at our usual haunt i.e. the Crown in Sanquhar where we were warmly received. One of the regulars even asked after the ‘big man’ and seemed genuinely concerned that he had been poorly. However, the rest of pub asked after the dug.

Penpont 16 October

Alan, Allan, Davie Mc, Gus, Jimmy, Paul, Robert

The weather forecast for later in the day was awful, so a decision had to be made at Cumnock as to whether we would do the scheduled walk at Penpont or do a local walk, and hope to complete it dry.

Autumn colours were just beginning to show

‘Go for it’ was the concensus of the two who heard that a vote was taking place, and so we set off down the road for Penpont and our round trip of the Scaur Valley. One of the reasons for this walk is to pick sloes for our annual sloe gin competition. Having said that we didn’t have one last year due to a poor season for sloes, and them that know suggested that this year might not be much better. Undaunted we took our more usual clockwise route out of Penpont and cut off up the wee road to the right. As we walked, we started to find the elusive sloes, not in the quantities we’ve seen in other years, but, after perseverance, enough were picked to satisfy the needs of Alan, Gus, Paul and Robert. The other three helped with the picking but decided to pass on the idea of participating in the competition.

The route is amply described i.e. Corfordine, Auchenhessnane, Druidhall and back to Penpont, on previous blogs and the post of November 2011 contains a route map, so suffice it to say that we took a well –earned coffee stop at our usual spot on the bridge before pressing on. Holly had been enjoying herself chasing pheasants and it brought back to mind a previous visit when we encountered a host of well –healed shooters and their entourage. Scary to think that it was five years ago!

Alan wonders why he has to clear up after Holly

We pondered taking lunch at the bridge just beyond Druidhall but it was felt that we should get as much of the walk done while it was still dry and so we continued up to the junction with the Penpont to Sanquhar road before sitting down for sustenance.

“Thirty-five minutes back to the cars from here”, said Davie, “and it’s all downhill”. For once he was right, other than a wee incline which, even to Allan, was nothing, and the cars were reached with the weather still holding out.

It wasn’t until we were in the Crown in Sanquhar that the rain appeared. A much better day than we had hoped for, rounded off by some reminiscences of previous walks spurred on by the copy of our calendar proudly on display in the pub.

1 May Wanlockhead to Sanquhar

Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Ian, Jimmy, Malcolm, Paul & Robert

            May Day, the beginnings of summer: The bus dropped us off at the Lead Mining Museum in Wanlockhead on what should have been, according to the forecast, a lovely spring morning; should have been but wasn’t. The sky hung heavy, pregnant with rain. Already it had plattered on the bus window on the way up to the museum and it threatened to come any time again.

The intention of the day was to walk part of the Southern Uplands Way from Wanlockhead to Sanquhar, an easy and not too long a walk and a very pleasant walk in fine weather. So, given the glorious spring weather of the day before and the forecast for today, we looked forward to a pleasant walk in fine weather. Now it looked as though all we could look forward to was a soaking.

            But it was still dry when we left the bus strop to follow the Wanlock Water down past the old lead workings. (Which Paul helped to restore as he keeps reminding us!) Down past the old cemetery we came and the first spots of rain hit. It didn’t last long, just a slaver in the wind. But, as we crossed the Wanlock Water, it came again. This was enough to have the pessimists among us don the waterproof trousers. Jimmy & Robert were the optimists who walked on regardless. This passing shower took its own time to pass and we walked up the old track towards the pass on Glengaber Hill in the constant downpour.

            We topped the pass and Robert succumbed to the weather and donned the waterproof trousers. This might have been an easier task if his trousers hadn’t been soaking and his boots just as bad. To watch him struggle, standing on one foot, pulling and tugging at his waterproofs and trying desperately hard not to land on his backside was our only enjoyment on this particularly dreich part of the walk. Eventually he succeeded. He shouldn’t have bothered for no sooner than had he the waterproofs on than the rain went and we came down to the ruined farm of Cogshead in the dry. And was that the sky beginning to break up? We would see.

            We had coffee/lunch at Cogshead while Davie Mc delighted in drawing Allan’s attention to the path climbing steeply up the slope of the unnamed hill opposite, Allan whose dislike of climbing is legend in the Ooters. And it was to this path, whether Allan liked it or not, that we headed after coffee.

 The slope was not quite as steep as it looked, just steep enough and long enough to catch the breath and burn the legs and string the group out in a long crocodile. But the sky definitely cleared as we climbed and this cheered even the most reluctant of climbers. By the time all of us had reached the col between this unnamed hill and Conrig Hill and looked down on Nithsdale, the sun was out and the fresh breeze was chasing the rain south-eastward. And waterproofs were dispensed with, such was our cheering up. ‘It’s all downhill from here’, said out expert. And so it was – mainly.

We dropped down in the sun towards Brandleys Cottage then through a boggy stretch and through a wood. Some were calling for lunch/coffee so we made the four hundred and ten metre detour from The Way to the Black Loch where we had our second break of the day. Some waterfowl rose from the lochan at our approach. ‘Four tufted duck and a pair of mallard’ announced our birders. We couldn’t argue, and didn’t. We sat down beside the Black Loch for lunch. Like Dr. Johnson said of the Giant's Causeway, the Black Loch and its crannog are worth seeing but not worth going to see. Some were disappointed but we all sat in the sun and enjoyed our peece.

Back on the way, we still came down, down past the riding of the marches centenary fence and down into Sanquhar by the Coo Wynd.

As Shakespeare said ‘All’s well that ends well’. This was a day that started poorly but ended in lovely spring sun and we had a fine walk after all.  

FRT was taken in our usual howf in Sanquhar, The Crown (Established 1739) where we were treated like long lost friends. We can highly recommend this hostelry for its homely atmosphere and friendly staff and clientele.

While we sat there enjoying our fluid replacement therapy another heavy rain shower soaked the streets of Sanquhar. How lucky were we!

Durisdeer 17 October

Alan, Allan, Davie Mc, Jimmy, Paul, Peter, Rex, Robert, Ronnie

At the Crown in Sanquhar there is a star

It’s the lady who works behind the bar

Took pity on some drookit souls

With two big plates of sausage rolls

The weather forecast had been poor with heavy rain expected and as we journeyed down to Durisdeer for the Morton Castle walk the rain got heavier and heavier. However, as we changed into our wet weather gear in the church, the decision was made to go at least as far as the bothy before reviewing the situation. The route has been described on previous blogs so suffice it to say that, given the conditions, we didn’t hang about (now there’s a surprise!) in making our way up the puddle-splattered track to the howff. As we dried out and, with Rex having started the fire in the stove, the steam rose and coffee/lunch was partaken amidst the haze. It is probably the earliest lunch stop we have ever had since we had started walking at about 10.15 and the trek had only taken about 40 minutes. Most were of the opinion that we end the walk there and return to the cars whilst one or two (who shall remain nameless to protect their guilt) were in favour of continuing the circular walk.

As we blethered and as Davie entered our details in the bothy log we were joined by two lads from Dumfries, Ryan and Nicholas, who, being self-employed window cleaners, had been washed out for the day and had come up to the hills for a walk. As Holly ‘greeted’ their big dug, a convivial conversation ensued and Ronnie took the opportunity to get his varifocals cleaned by experts. A miniature set of windscreen wipers will be fitted before the next wet walk.

When it was time to bid them farewell we assembled outside the bothy where by this time the rain had almost gone off. “Who’s for the circular walk to Morton Castle?” asked Jimmy. The silence was deafening.

And so we returned down the track to the cars and dry clothes, although it has to be said that the weather had improved markedly on the descent. But, as our leader suggested, more heavy rain could not be ruled out.

Our usual haunt in this neck of the woods is the Crown in Sanquhar and we hit our watering hole much earlier that we usually do. As always we find the atmosphere most welcoming and, as we supped up, the barmaid presented us with a large plate of lovely, hot sausage rolls. “There’s more on the way”, she said and before long a second one arrived. Brilliant!

Many thanks for the hospitality! We’ll be back.

Over the last year or two we’ve had stovies at the Mercat in Cumnock, shortbread at the Corner Bar in Lochwinnoch, our Ne’erday in the Black Bull in Darvel and scones at the Coachhouse in Muirkirk.

With a welcome like those it’s no wonder we continue to support the wee local pubs. And to think that after spending a fortune at a recently done-up hotel in Arran they wouldn’t even give us some nuts for the table! Say no more!