Despite the fact that I walked this route on a grey January day there was still plenty of interest for a short walk around the town. I don’t imagine that there are still copies of the leaflet available in any of the shops and the tollbooth museum was closed so I no doubt missed out… Continue reading Sanquhar Historic Walk
Category: Nithsdale
Durisdeer Well Path
Sometimes when doing these Core Path walks it is difficult to stick to the prescribed route as other walks or extensions to the main route look so tempting. This walk up a glen between steep hillsides is one of those and I will be returning to take the path up Black Hill. That shouldn’t put… Continue reading Durisdeer Well Path
The Parks
An easy stroll along the banks of the Nith with some historic landmarks including Castledykes Park. Some of the landmarks mentioned in the route description have changed or disappeared altogether but the walk is easy to follow. Don’t miss one of the last remains of Dumfries’ industrial past on the opposite bank from the car… Continue reading The Parks
Waterloo Monument
What looks like a short easy walk on paper is in fact quite hard work. The first 1.5 km or so is along a relatively level country lane, but once you start up the side of the hill most of the path is made up of quite steep stone steps which are in poor condition.… Continue reading Waterloo Monument
The Hills
A short walk through woodland by the side of the Dumfries/Dalbeattie road. The paths are firm and generally dry, one short section is moderately steep . Part of the route is along the old railway line and there are limited views of the old railway viaduct. It’s a nice break for 20 minutes if you… Continue reading The Hills
Kirkconnel Village Walk
Ignore the detour that I made up the main road – my only excuse is that the road island seems to have been removed. Simply cut into the gardens before you start to climb the bank out of the village. The first section of this walk along the bank of the Nith is a fairly… Continue reading Kirkconnel Village Walk
Old Church Walk
A couple of miles outside of Kirkconnel, this walk allows views of the local hills without involving any climbing. The car park where the walk starts is also the starting point for a 19 mile walk to Wanlockhead. Just before the remains of St Connel’s Church there is the possibility of a diversion to a… Continue reading Old Church Walk
Burns’ Walk
Starting from the centre of Dumfries this is a riverside walk with surprisingly rural views. Much of the path is along narrow riverside paths where walking two abreast would be challenging, with the return half mainly along a cycle route and then through the town centre. A very short section (perhaps 100m) is along the… Continue reading Burns’ Walk
Tynron Doon
The Doon itself is a much more impressive earthwork than it appears from a distance, with a series of ditches and banks to climb before you reach the top, from where there are no doubt some great views looking across the Nith Valley on a better day than I enjoyed. Since the publication of the… Continue reading Tynron Doon
Penpont to Keir Mill
Starting in the village of Penpont this walk starts by leading you along the side of the Scar Water before returning along a quiet country road past the smithy where the first rear-wheel-powered bicycle was made. The walk might be best during spring when the riverside views are clearest and the invasive Himalayan Balsam hasn’t… Continue reading Penpont to Keir Mill