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.

Morton Castle Meander - The Nature Trail.

Walk Details

Location - Morton Castle Nr. Thornhill.
Total Distance  - 2 miles approx.
Surface - grass and trail.
What did we see - Historic Ruin, beautiful blue damsel flies, cows, chickens, lots and lots of lovely wild flowers.
Susan's rating - a nice little walk round the nature trail, well signposted and easy going.  Would be a good hour or so out with the kids, they could explore the castle.  Just keep an eye on them because of the water.


I have been going to Morton Castle for as long as I can remember.  I think I first went there with my Dad back in the days when it was more wild and not quite so manicured.    I have included a link to Undiscovered Scotland which gives a good description and a potted history, there should also be much better directions of how to get there than I can give.
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/thornhill/mortoncastle/


So on Tuesday 1st July, Marissa, Kona, Sally dog and I took advantage of the brilliant weather to take a stroll round the Nature Trail.  Not too long in the sunshine and with some water for Kona and Sally to have a cooling swim. Morton proved just a (almost) perfect hour of relaxation.  I say almost because we did not complete the nature trail as there were rather a lot of cows down by what I have decided to term the Swan pond.  Why, because it  had some swans on it.  Anyway we thought that because of the dogs, discretion was the better part of valour and we made a small detour.  Normally we wouldn't do this but I must admit I'm never very sure of cows. 

Pointing the way - you will see these all round the trail, just follow the arrows.

The Lowthers in the distance.

Kona and Sally having fun in the water.

The Swan Pond

From the Swan Pond we exited the field through the gate and  out onto a tarmac road  turned left and headed uphill past the cottage then past the farmyard road end, and past  a small pond on the left hand side and back to where we had parked the car just opposite the castle gate.

This is a very short walk but it can be extended by taking the trails through the woodland opposite the castle.  If you wanted a longer adventure you could park in the Kings Quarry and head up through the woods. Or if you are feeling energetic you can turn right before the swan pond and start the climb up the the Roman fort.  There are a couple of information boards on the way up the hill which break up the journey and allow you to take a little breather.  The views from the top are stunning you can see all the way to the Lowther Hills and beyone one way, Drumlanrig the other way and straight in front in the dip you have Kettleton Reservoir.

Dalswinton Estate Wander.

Walk Details

Walk on 22nd June 2014
Location - Dalswinton Estate, Nr Auldgirth, Dumfriesshire.
Total distance walked 3.50 miles
Surface - mixed - some tarmac, dirt tracks and some grass.
What did we see - ducks, bulls, wild flowers, red bridge, fisherman's hut.
Susan's rating - nice easy walking, flat.  Only problem may be that one of the fields the path goes through has a sign saying beware of the bull.  We did not see any bull but went round the edge of another field anyway, just in case.  So care needed perhaps.
Oh and as with all the walks featured in the blogs, use your common sense and walk with due care and attention and at your own risk.  I am only describing these walks as they were on the days I/we did them.
Follow the country code at all times.  Leave no litter and respect other peoples space and property.


Dalswinton Estate is a great place to walk the walk described here is only one of the combinations that can be put together to make walks of differing lengths.  So I will more or less photo blog this one. My advice is go wander about, see where the roads take you, just remember the way you went out so that you can come back to same way if in any doubt.

Start point.

Whether coming in from Dumfries or the Auldgirth side you turn down at the Single Lodge Cottage and continue past the garden and plant centre coming in along the side of the little loch to the parking space.  There is a little box for donations, it's nice to pop something in. The money goes to a good cause.

We followed the tarmac road round to Bankfoot Farm.

Just past Bankfoot Farm we turned up this track and through the Railway Arch.

Once through the arch we turned left down this track and kept on going.

I had climbed over the stile before I noticed a gate, typical really, I never have been one to take the easy or most obvious route.

 This is a delightful walk along the riverbank.  Very well kept which makes for easy walking.

The structure you can see in the middle of the picture is the Fishermen's Hut.  From here you can carry straight on along the road past the Red Bridge, keep going and you will come to Sandbed Farm house, keep on the track and in about 100m or so you will come to a fork in the road.  One road leads round to the front of the big house and the other brings you back to the tarmac road in the rear of the big house.  We cut across the field back to the railway bridge and back past Bankfoot.  We then turned up left to Drum Loch.  It's signposted a the fork in the road and then again a bit further on.

 

From here we walked along the path, being careful not to let the dogs near the water and cause upset to the fisherman who was there.  

The path leads round to the main loch in front of the big house and back to our starting out point. 

There are many more photos of the walks around Dalswinton which unfortunately will have to wait to be posted as these ones have taken an age to post tonight.   I may add another blog covering more of the estate soon, so watch this space.