White Coomb and Carrifran Gans

[dovecotdave]

Finally a return to some glorious weather after a November like May so a short drive down the M74 for a walk up White Coomb (821m) and Carrifran Gans (757m).

The view down into the Carrifran Wildwood, from just off the top of Carrifran Gans, has to be one of the finest views in the South of Scotland. I've been well aware of the work of the Borders Forest trust for many years but only managed to head into to Carrifran Wildwood for the first time on the 10th May - some photos added at the end of this report.

The main path up by the Grey Mare's Tail was absolutely heaving but things soon quietened down when we jumped the burn at the top of the falls and head up towards Upper Tarnberry and White Coomb itself.

A steady stream of folk heading up to Loch Skene and beyond

A wee hop over the Tail Burn

White Coomb from Upper Tarnberry

Heading up White Coomb with Loch Skene and Lochcraig Head behind

All quiet at the top of White Coomb

Heading up to Carrifran Gans with the view back to White Coomb

Into Carrifran Wildwood and the Black Hope Hills. A real view to remember (and well worth taking the wean out of school for a hill school day!)

A steep decent from Carrifran Gans via Dun Knowe......

.....where a Two banded Long Horn Beetle joined us for lunch

The descent takes you right alongside the wildwood.

Moffatdale and some forestry operations to dodge on the way back to the car.

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Carrifran Wildwood visit - 10th May 2021
We were really pleased with our plan B today. With plans to go higher thwarted by the continuing bowfing May weather we spent 3 hours exploring somewhere we've been meaning to go to for years, Carrifran Wildwood near Moffat.

With a vague recollection of the reigning tree of the year being here (but no signal to check) we headed in to find a memorable looking Rowan. A few contenders were snapped and glad to say we did find "The Survivor Tree".
So good to hear a glen bursting with varied birdsong. Grasshopper and Willow Warblers seen and heard.

This rewilding story deserves wider recognition....the 3 min video at this link is well worth a watch.... https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/.../tree-of-the-year/

The Tree of the Year 2020 - The Survivor Tree

Carrifran Wildwood during one of the drier moments

Didn't quite make it up to Rotten Bottom....soggy more like