Author Archives: drow 'n smirr

The Glen of the Wildcat

3.3 miles 2h 24m  ascent 241m  Back Hill of Orchars-Altiwhat-Fell of Fleet A burn, labelled Altiwhat on older OS maps, empties into northern apex of Loch Fleet, the Loch itself becoming the source of Little Water of Fleet. The burn … Continue reading

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Temptations below the Clints of Dromore

4.1 miles  2h 10m  260m ascent The Clints of Dromore are a section of steep south facing cliffs at the southern margin of the Cairnsmore of Fleet granite intrusion. The surrounding peat bogs are said to have 10m of peat … Continue reading

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Three Spaniels on Lotus Hill

4.8 miles  2h 40m  311m ascent Forestry tracks, paths (stony, mossy, boggy), pine-needle covered forest walks, heathery moorland, fallen trees, felled trees, distant gunshots, rocky outcrops, erratics, collapsed dykes, burns, bridged and unbridged, forest (conifer, deciduous, felled and replanted), ad … Continue reading

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A Lactation of Conifers

2.7 miles  1 hour  74m ascent Easing myself back in to walks, I decided to visit Morton Castle and explore Morton Woods which proved a shorter walk than I had expected. Morton Castle stands on high ground above Morton Loch. … Continue reading

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Squelch, squelch: onomatopoeia by the Pot of Ae

9.0 miles  5h 29m   552m ascent  max elevation (Queensberry) 697m Route: Kinnelhead-Blairmark-Harestanes Heights-Mount Glass-Pot of Ae-Lochanhead A gentle stroll up Queensberry from the NE, taking in Harestane Heights (picture above). The forecast said that any rain would clear up … Continue reading

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SUW12.2: the spell lifted

7.8 miles  3h 24m   450m ascent Route: SUW from near Craigbeck (low level route) then along the Selcoth Burn to Sailfoot Despite completing the SUW coast to coast in July, I was left feeling that the job wasn’t done … Continue reading

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SUW9.2: Cogshead again

9.7 miles  3h 24m  624m ascent Route: Crawick Water at Nether Cog to Cogshead then the northern SUW loop to Wanlock water and Wanlockhead Between Cogshead and Wanlock Water the SUW offers two routes, and when we last came this … Continue reading

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The Southern Upland Way: overview

The 212.6 miles of the southern upland way include coastal cliffs, upland moors, hills and mountains, meadows, riverbanks, loch side paths, farmland, parkland, woodland, country estates, paths across dams, farm tracks, drove roads, roman roads, ancient trade routes, and coffin … Continue reading

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