Cornish Hill

[SassenachCelt]

A cool morning greeted us for the expected two hour slog to deepest Ayrshire from Glasgow. In the end it was a 90 minute journey. The windy roads from turning off the A77 just past Minishant into Straiton, and onwards to the car park at the Stinchar Bridge, in the Galloway Forest Park seemed to go on forever but eventually

The plan was that we would scout out the walk so that we could take a group on a easy walk in the splendid isolation that the area affords. However it became clear that the 5.1kilometre amble would prove small reward for a long drive. That said the walk is on a well maintained Forestry Commission path all the way to the top. As the mist rose fantastic we got some outstanding views of the Galloway Hills and lochs.
Exiting the forest, the route then rises over the heather-covered hills towards Cornish Hill. From there, there are views of Ayrshire's western coastline, Cairnsmore of Carsphairn in the East and Shalloch on Minnoch to the south.

Descending down the lochside proved an ideal spot for a picnic. The hill loch plays a crucial role in the life of two of Ayrshire's large rivers. The Water of Girvan rises high in the northern corrie of Shalloch on Minnoch and flows into Cornish Loch, to exit the loch at our picnic spot. The River Stinchar also originates on Shalloch on Minnoch (on its northern side) where it then flows to the west of Cornish Hill, then due west to the sea at Ballantrae.

The walk continued by following the course of the Water of Girvan, then to meander through the forest and back towards the forest road. The number of trees that had fallen down due to excesses of weather was most notable on the road back to the car park and a reminder of the power of nature to effect our environment.

An interesting walk but I wonder if anyone has experience of the area that might combine this hill with, say, Shalloch on Minnoch???

[Caberfeidh]

If you go farther up, the burn which is the infant Water of Girvan comes from Loch Girvan-Eye, which is in turn fed by a tiny burn from Shalloch on Minnoch. The strange name Girvan-Eye comes from the old name Loch Garrony, a reference to the wild garrons (hill ponies) which once lived here. These animals are believed to be descendants of ponies brought by the Norse who had a kingdom in Galloway a thousand years ago. Loch Girvan-Eye is rightly described in Tom Weir's book "The Scottish Lochs" as "A tiny sheet of water full of trout". I reckon you could continue along that ridge from Cornish to Shalloch on Minnoch , but the going would be very hard. Pathless and rough, full of random rocks, boulders, holes and bogs, this area was called "The Rig o' Jarkness" an old term meaning "Ridge of Desolate Wilderness", which it certainly is from a farmer's point of view. Did you get any photos? I haven't been back to Galloway in years.
The Black Bull pub in Straiton used to have a painting of Bing Crosby on the wall, as he had enjoyed a pint there while making a beer advert. No doubt it paid for a golfing holiday at Turnberry !

[clairelouisebradley]

Hey SasenachCelt, heard you were up your first (of many?) munros? When can we expect your review of Ben Lomond?

[SassenachCelt]

Hey SasenachCelt, heard you were up your first (of many?) munros? When can we expect your review of Ben Lomond?

All in good time C - all in good time