{"id":6608,"date":"2020-08-03T19:14:00","date_gmt":"2020-08-03T18:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/?p=6608"},"modified":"2020-09-07T22:03:29","modified_gmt":"2020-09-07T21:03:29","slug":"frae-the-big-brig-tae-the-auld-halt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/dumfries-galloway\/frae-the-big-brig-tae-the-auld-halt\/","title":{"rendered":"Frae the big brig tae the auld halt"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>10.12 miles  5h 2 m  178m ascent<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-1 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"769\" src=\"https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Loch-Skerrow-1024x769.jpg\" alt=\"Loch Skerrow\" data-id=\"6612\" class=\"wp-image-6612\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Loch-Skerrow-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Loch-Skerrow-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Loch-Skerrow-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Loch-Skerrow-768x577.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Loch-Skerrow-1536x1153.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Loch-Skerrow-2048x1538.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Big Water of Fleet Viaduct-Skerrow Halt<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> The drive to the viaduct was a little slower than expected because we came to a &#8220;temporary obstruction, 15 minute delay&#8221; sign. I turned off the ignition, put on the brake and sorted out my rucksack. When I looked up the cars in front of me had gone. I can&#8217;t have been there too long, or the drivers behind were very patient because there was no tooting before I drove on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<p>This was Mabel&#8217;s first big walk. I wondered if I would be carrying her on the way back but she coped admirably.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-1 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"795\" src=\"https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Mabel-on-her-first-long-walk-1024x795.jpg\" alt=\"Wee Dog\" data-id=\"6617\" class=\"wp-image-6617\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Mabel-on-her-first-long-walk-1024x795.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Mabel-on-her-first-long-walk-300x233.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Mabel-on-her-first-long-walk-150x116.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Mabel-on-her-first-long-walk-768x596.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Mabel-on-her-first-long-walk-1536x1192.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Mabel-on-her-first-long-walk-2048x1589.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a straightforward walk along the route of the the old railway except where it would have crossed its viaducts. The Big Water of Fleet viaduct is deemed unsafe and closed to the public. Some folk were walking along it, but we walked up to the bridge at Cullendoch and then back to the old railway, now a forestry track. The Little Water of Fleet viaduct is long gone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The railway is as straight as a Roman road and cuts straight through rocky obstructions. There has been extensive felling so the views have changed, with Cairnsmore of Fleet and its shoulders Meikle Mulltaggart and Craigronald dominating the horizon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-1 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"769\" src=\"https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Cairnsmore-of-Fleet-1024x769.jpg\" alt=\"Cairnsmore of Fleet\" data-id=\"6614\" class=\"wp-image-6614\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Cairnsmore-of-Fleet-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Cairnsmore-of-Fleet-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Cairnsmore-of-Fleet-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Cairnsmore-of-Fleet-768x577.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Cairnsmore-of-Fleet-1536x1153.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Cairnsmore-of-Fleet-2048x1538.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Cairnsmore of Fleet from the old railway<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The Little Water of Fleet flows under the track and one could easily miss it if you weren&#8217;t looking. I only realised we had crossed over when we came to the track junction that is 100m past it. I am certain there was a signpost &#8220;Mossdale footpath&#8221; when I was last at this junction but there is no sign now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-1 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"769\" src=\"https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Railway-cutting-1024x769.jpg\" alt=\"Railway Cutting\" data-id=\"6616\" class=\"wp-image-6616\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Railway-cutting-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Railway-cutting-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Railway-cutting-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Railway-cutting-768x577.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Railway-cutting-1536x1153.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Railway-cutting-2048x1538.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We decided to carry on along the old railway, which is now a cycle\/footpath rather than a forestry track. Christy had found a huge stick to carry along but gradually gnawed it down to a twig and lost it in a muddy waterway. He could only be tempted away when I found him another stick. Mabel, despite her diminutive size, kept up, tramped through any water she could find and showed no sign of running out of steam. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Loch Skerrow was deep blue in the sunshine. I had intended to bring binoculars to check Craigherron Island if I came here again, but I hadn&#8217;t, so I still don&#8217;t know if its trees are rowans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-1 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-5 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"769\" src=\"https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/P1010084-1024x769.jpg\" alt=\"Loch Skerrow\" data-id=\"6615\" class=\"wp-image-6615\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/P1010084-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/P1010084-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/P1010084-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/P1010084-768x577.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/P1010084-1536x1153.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/P1010084-2048x1538.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We had lunch on the old railway platform, then picked up our bags and headed back the way we had come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-1 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-6 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"769\" src=\"https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/lunch-at-Skerrow-Halt-1024x769.jpg\" alt=\"Lunch at Skerrow Halt\" data-id=\"6619\" class=\"wp-image-6619\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/lunch-at-Skerrow-Halt-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/lunch-at-Skerrow-Halt-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/lunch-at-Skerrow-Halt-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/lunch-at-Skerrow-Halt-768x577.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/lunch-at-Skerrow-Halt-1536x1153.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/lunch-at-Skerrow-Halt-2048x1538.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<p>[sgpx gpx=https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/RK_gpx-_2020-08-03_1037.gpx]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>10.12 miles 5h 2 m 178m ascent Big Water of Fleet Viaduct-Skerrow Halt The drive to the viaduct was a little slower than expected because we came to a &#8220;temporary obstruction, 15 minute delay&#8221; sign. I turned off the ignition, &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/dumfries-galloway\/frae-the-big-brig-tae-the-auld-halt\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6608","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-dumfries-galloway"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6608","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6608"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6608\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6910,"href":"https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6608\/revisions\/6910"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6608"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6608"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.screel.co.uk\/walks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6608"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}