Author Archives: drow 'n smirr

Glenkens Pilgrim’s Way: a midsummer walk

June 21, 2022

7.74 miles  5h 9m ascent 252m The Ordnance Survey shows a footpath between Polmaddy and Carsphairn. For more than 500 years it was part of the main route through the Glenkens to the south coast. It was once part of … Continue reading →

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High Craigeazle: a trio of memorials

June 14, 2022

6.90 miles 3h 54m ascent 305m (1000 feet) Brockloch Bridge-High Craigeazle-Dunkitterick Cottage “I was born on Sunday, the 22d of October 1775, (I ascertained these points in 1805,— I did not exactly know my age in 1794) and baptized a … Continue reading →

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Spooky Woods: the Seventh Stane

June 7, 2022

5.8 miles 2h 40m ascent 350m Glentress Forest There are 7 stanes and, until today, I had visited only six: The Ghost Stane, The Heart Cleft Stane, The Gem Stane, The Giant Axe Head, The Talking Head Stane and the … Continue reading →

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Maxwell’s Otter, Myrton Loch and the Quarrel Megaliths

May 31, 2022

8.03 miles 3h 35m ascent 161m St Medan-Monreith-Myrton-Drumtroddan Stones (return) A bronze otter stands on the lichen covered rocks of Craigengour. His head is turned to look over the Lag promontory towards the Isle of Man, on the horizon. A … Continue reading →

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Conquering Cruggleton Castle

May 24, 2022

5.98 miles 3h 47m ascent 110 Garlieston-Cruggleton return, and Torhouse Circle Garlieston Harbour is the closest port in Scotland to the Isle of Man. A sign warns that this is a working harbour and I can understand why such a … Continue reading →

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No Particular Place to Go

May 7, 2022

3.15 miles about 1.5h 166m ascent Near Bala, Gwynedd I sat nursing the last vestiges of a hangover, warmed by the afternoon sun. The planned morning walk had not panned out. We had found the lakeside path closed. Three generations … Continue reading →

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Eden Way 7: Satan’s stiles

May 3, 2022

7.83 miles 4h 5m ascent 117m Temple Sowerby-Colby Bridge Our first Eden Way sortie of 2022, indisposition and inclement weather having delayed us. There was neither deluge nor drama and it was no great distance. But I cannot say it … Continue reading →

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Balloch Woods

April 25, 2022

3.11 miles 1h 57m ascent 94m Pond Trail-Larch Trail-Burnside Trail “Corse o’ Slakes, Cross of Rocky Hills – Slakes in Saxon meaning rocky hills or rocky brows. In Galloway there are no roads so wild as the one which leads … Continue reading →

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