This short walk is in three distinct parts – a stroll though the Aldouran Glen gardens (with fully accessible paths), a rougher walk through the wooded glen, and a track/road section back down into Leswalt. The first section has various options including paths for wheelchair users – who would find it easier to use the… Continue reading Aldouran Glen
Author: Keith Heron
Kilsture Forest
This easy walk through Kilsture Forest (or Wood? FLS can’t decide) is mainly on good paths with occasional views over surrounding farmland down to the coast. The D&G instructions are out of date – there is no longer a car park at the other side of the forest so when you arrive at the track… Continue reading Kilsture Forest
New Galloway to Dalry
A there-and-back-again walk along the flood banks of the Water of Ken. The path is quite rough in places and I suspect will be rather overgrown in summer, for some short sections I was already squeezing between gorse bushes in March. The route involves three short stretches along the side of the A713 which is… Continue reading New Galloway to Dalry
Knockman Wood
Don’t be put off by the gates at the entrance, just close them behind you and drive the quarter of a mile or so to the car park. And don’t be put off by the conifer plantations you walk through to start with, they soon turn in to some lovely mature woodland, with evidence of… Continue reading Knockman Wood
Red Haven
Parking is now available on the left about 200 metres down the road to Balcary, which allows you to access the Millenium Garden and footbridge, leading on to the playing fields where the walk starts. Much of the footpath has been improved but there are still some short sections which can be very muddy. There… Continue reading Red Haven
Loch Trool Circular
This was a lovely walk on a spring day, but the paths have good surfaces all the way round so it could be undertaken in almost any conditions. The route has been extended at both ends of the Loch (due to the old bridge collapsing at the eastern end, and a new section of loch… Continue reading Loch Trool Circular
St Kentigern’s Churchyard
A very short walk along the bank of the River Annan to visit the historic St Kentigern’s graveyard. Be aware that the road bridge is narrow and you will need to be aware of the traffic. Ignore the first three paragraphs on the D&G leaflet as they are from the Hoddom Castle walk. When I… Continue reading St Kentigern’s Churchyard
Repentance Tower
A short climb gives superb panoramic views including Criffel, the northern Lakes, and inland to the borders hill country. The tower (locked up) and small graveyard are an additional bonus. Note that the text on the D&G leaflet is rather garbled – ignore the first two paragraphs as they are carried over from the Hoddom… Continue reading Repentance Tower
Hoddom Castle
Much of this easy and enjoyable walk is through woodland along the banks of the River Annan and takes in Hoddom Castle, an imposing building around which a caravan park is based. The walk finishes up passing along the side of the golf course. The way markers from the car park seem to have disappeared… Continue reading Hoddom Castle
Brighouse Bay
This walk has three distinct sections – a walk though scrubby woodland alongside the Brighouse caravan park, a coastal path, and a return leg through farmland. For me, the second section was the highlight of what would otherwise not be a very attractive route. Particularly if the ground is wet (as it was when I… Continue reading Brighouse Bay