Drumlanrig Castle and Country Estate.

A slight departure here from the normal type of blog post for Walking with My Buddies.  Instead of putting on details of one particular walk I am going to put mainly pictures of one of my favourite places for walking and running.  I have lived near here all my life and most of my family have at some point worked for Buccleuch Estates in some capacity.  My Dad was the estate slater for many many years, my Uncle Bill was one of the gamekeepers, and other Uncles Aunts, cousins etc were joiners, brickies, labourers, office workers, cleaners so I more or less grew up with estate blood in my veins, and I feel very attached to the place and the memories old and new that it holds for me.  My children also went to Watch Club which was a sort of Saturday morning nature club where their love of all things yucky, gooey and wet was nurtured by the rangers. The Estate we see now has changed a great deal from the Estate of my childhood, it is now a business in a way it never was before, but it is still beautiful and remains as un-commercialised as possible in this day and age.  There are still many places of peace and quiet to enjoy alongside the mountain bikers and tourists.

I am in no way advocating to people that they go and walk here without checking out the Estate's own facebook pages and website for terms and conditions etc. and details of entry times and charges where applicable.(Don't wish to get into trouble with the Estate). So see links.  I have for the last few years bought a season ticket which is excellent value.

I have walked and ran here throughout the seasons, Autumn being my very favourite, the colours the smells and the abundant fungi amazing.  However every season has it's own beauty and interest.

If taking your dog, remember to clean up after it and keep it under control for the benefit of wildlife and other Estate users, Oh and watch out for the mountain bikers too.  Trails are posted and leaflets are available, but basically I tend to just wander and exlpore.   I'm sure there are still lots of places which I haven't been to yet, which is exciting.  I love a wee explore me LOL   Who would of guessed?

So enjoy the photos and perhaps take a trip yourselves.

Signposts like this keep you on the right track.

Since Larch Die back and the winds last year this view has changed a wee bit.

Spectacular river views on the Nith Linns Walk.

What it's all about "Fun Walking with my Buddies".

Starburn

Slatehouse Loch

Waterfall Walk

Waterfall Walk

Classic view of the Castle with the Durisdeeer Hills in the background.

So there we are some of my photos.  I hope I've given you an idea of what it's like up at Drumlanrig and if you've not been before I've given you some ideas for a trip sometime.  As you can see there are plenty of opportunities to get active with the camera.  I've added a couple of links to give more information about the Estate etc.,

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Drumlanrig-Castle-Country-Estate/111796998870922?fref=ts
http://www.drumlanrigcastle.co.uk/

Tynron Toddle.

Tynron Toddle

Walk date - 13th July

Location - Tynron, Dumfriesshire
Start and end grid ref NX8092
Total distance - 3.36 miles (my garmin).
Surface - mixed we encountered dirt track, tarmac and grass.
What did we see - a very scenic little hamlet (well worth a visit) some lovely quaint houses, a waterfall (see blog) country church and war memorial.
Susan's rating - nice easy walking, there is a slight uphill at the start but apart from that nothing strenuous.


On Sunday morning we (the dog walk Sunday crew) met at Tynron Village Hall car park to head off on a nice little toddle in Tynron.  It was absolutely lovely to see one of our friends who hasn't been walking with us for a while because of an injured foot.  It was great to see his wee dog Meg too, Kona was well pleased. 

We followed the signs past the church and then the graveyard up the little hill until we reached the memorial bench for Choo Campbell.  Tess as always likes a little sit and a pose on any available surface,  Ssh there may be treats involved.

 At Choo's bench the route splits in two, we followed the waymarkers, can't miss them really, well you can and I have in the past which led me on another adventure, but that's the joy of adventuring.  I was running head down, puffing and panting and found instead of leveling out as I expected I just was keeping going upwards.  Never mind that walk is for another day.  On with this one.

After about probably half a mile or so we arrived at a fork in the road.  Today we took the left hand fork which heads back down to the tarmac road.  The right hand fork will take you on to the slopes of Tynron Doon.  Well worth a walk for the views from the top.  

 The fork led us back down to the road.  Another day I will do this (and extend it) in reverse, but for today we headed back down towards Tynron Village on the road, perhaps about 5 minutes walking and turned left down the lane here at the big house gates.  Kirkland House.

 We kept on the tarmac road past some really nice scenery and houses with the most beautiful gardens until we arrived at this little gate.  Seductive to say the least.  I just had to see what lay behind.  It was a track, sadly a bit overgrown and very boggy after the recent rain, so we abandoned that and toddled back up to the road.

 However the roar of a nearby waterfall proved too much for Arthur, Robert and myself, we just had to go and see it.  The picture shows the top of the waterfall but unfortunately the summer growth made it difficult to snap any more than this A great groove has been cut through the rock and the edges drop straight down to what looked like a boiling witches cauldron of dark water.  I could of been in grave danger of falling in if I had tried today because of the undergrowth and the slippy wetness of everything.  Oh and I didn't take Kona anywhere near at all, that would of been a recipe for disaster. So great care must be taken, this is wild countryside no signs, no safety rails, approach with caution.  I will be going back sometime soon but not on my own, I will take someone with me.
After viewing the waterfall we made our way out onto the open hillside.  There is a 5 bar gate to the cottage and beside that another smaller gate with a waymrker sign similar to the one pictured below. , Follow markers and respect the privacy of anyone in the cottage.  After a short walk of perhaps 10 to 15 mins we came to this gate, our turning point for today.   There is the promise here of further interesting walking, I've had the map out, always a dangerous sign, and know where I can extend for future walks or runs.  However for today we turned and re-traced our steps back to the village

Tynron.

Me playing with my settings again.  Picking out the red doors etc.,

 We didn't wait for tea today, we were way too early but Linda and I did stop in at Penpont Tearoom and got ourselves a take away feast.  I had a chicken wrap with sweet chilli sauce and salad, Linda had a BLT and we both had Mars bar cake and coffee.  Very yummy and reasonably priced too. We ate this at the metal bridge in Keir with a simply wonderful view of the Lowther hills in front of us. 

There are many options for walks from Tynron, some I have done and some I have yet to explore, but if you want a nice short introduction this one is good, combine it with a tea even better.

Link to Tynron pages. 
http://www.moniaive.org.uk/tynron

Durisdeer Dawdle -

6th July 2014

Walk Details

Location - Durisdeer, Dumfriesshire
Start Location Grid ref NS 894037, turn around grid ref NS 919061
OS Map Explorer 329 Lowther Hills.
Total distance 4.5 miles
Surface - some tarmac in village then dirt track road.
What did we see - Historic Church and the Marbles (see photo) Roman Fortlet, beautiful hills, and would you believe massive hailstones (in July!!!).
Susan's rating - nice straight route, you can deviate to look more closely at the Roman Fort.  This route does take you round the side of the hill and is uphill all the way, it's not steep but it is continuous.  For the less fit take a walking pole and take frequent rests.


We started the walk in Durisdeer Village, there is normally space to park just be aware that people live here and may need access to their houses etc so park responsibly.

First pic- The route is well signposted.                      Second Pic - Linda holding the gate for us.
                                                                         

This is what the track looks like. Yes it looks flat but it does climb all the way.

You can take the signposted track to the fort if you wish but you can see it from the road.

 When we set out the weather was really lovely, it was warm and sunny.  Just beyond here the others turned back and Linda and I carried on so that KP and Tess could have a swim, well KP mainly.
We carried on to the gate at the top of the track. Beside the gate is the sign underneath which points back down to Durisdeer.  Through the gate it's just a short walk to the spot where several small streams meet.  Kona loves this spot. 

Sometimes called the Well path, but here on this sign it is Wald Pass.

Kona enjoying the water, as usual.Here you will see traps straddling the burns, I presume they are for Weasels, Stoats etc.,

Views from our stopping spot where the streams meet, the first pic is taken looking back towards  Durisdeer and looking at it now, we really should of seen what was coming, the second is looking towards Dalveen Pass.  If you keep on the track that's where you will arrive after about another mile or two.   A good walk is one I've done from Dalveen Pass, down Wald Pass to Durisdeer and up through the pass to the Bothy and down the track to Kettleton Reservior  the Burn Farm then onto Thornhill via old Thornhill Station through the Golf Course to Cample and on to Closeburn

 Here is Linda looking, but not feeling drookit.  A lesson in how quick the weather in Bonnie Scotland can change, we had torrential rain followed by massive hail stones.  Really in July!!  Good job we walk prepared for all eventualities.  Waterproof top, bottoms and hat in evidence here.

 The rain and hail lasted probably about 15 minutes and out came the sun again.  It was like it had never happened.  Just look at that lovely blue sky.

The Reverend Scott was the minister at Durisdeer he also looked after us at Closeburn.  He was a minister of the "old school" and will forever live in my memory as a softly spoken, kindly, but firm real old fashioned gentleman, seemingly eternally  dressed his in ancient black ministerial clothes. A man who had a proper vocation and genuine concern and love for his parishioners. 
Those who know me also know about what the biblical quotation on the bench means to me.  It is very special.

 Kona and Tess enjoying a rest on Rev Scott's bench I'm sure he wouldn't mind at all.

 The very beautiful Durisdeer Church.  On Sunday afternoons from the middle of July the church ladies put on the most wonderful teas.( Sandwiches,scones cakes tea, coffee).  All for a very reasonable price.  I think the money goes to Church Funds and sometimes to selected charities.

 The above picture is of the Marbles -  a testament to love.  Look up the history of this if you are interested. http://www.dumfriesshirecompanion.com/Durisdeer.htm

I love Durisdeer, it is a great starting point for some more strenuous adventures.  The hills are relatively easily accessible by the moderately fit and generally extremely quiet and empty.  Kona and I have spent many a day exploring the little glens on either side of the village.  It's been my classroom for practicing my map reading - not always successfully I might add.  I'm sure there are many more blogs to come from this marvelous place.  If you are up here spend some time looking around and enjoying the "other worldliness" of this hamlet.  I always feel transported back in time here.