White Coomb a Panorama Special
Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 1:51 pmParked at Grey Mare's Tail car park. It is £2 for the day to use. It is a good path that takes you up to Loch Skeen.
Grey Mare's Tail by Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
Loch Skeen by Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
At the mouth of the loch there are three paths to choose from. Over the burn and you can head straight up in front of you to the ridge. On the right a fisherman's path leads around the shores of the loch and further right a path that climbs up the bank and then heads towards a fence line and on to a dyke that goes up the Lochcraig Head. I took the fisherman's path as I wanted to get a good look at the loch. Boggy in bits,but then every path is up here.
Loch Skeen from climb up Lochcraig Head by Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
After meandering along side the loch cut across to slope of Lochcraig Head and headed up. Steep here, counting my steps starting at 40 a time before a rest. Contouring it a bit to avoid scree and eventually joined up with path from the dyke to reach the top.
Loch Skeen from top of Lochcraig Head by Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
From here on the walking is much easier with only gentle climbs and descents till White Coomb itself.
Walking round to White Coomb by Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
Following a fence line as usual, small detours to avoid the wettest parts.
White Coomb top to Solway Firth by Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
Great view from the top. So I had my lunch here, sunny, a breeze, nothing more.
Walking back down by Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
Going back down, the drop back to Grey Mare looks impressive.
The route down to Grey Mare's Tail by Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
The dyke guides you till the crags, cutting left and dropping down to pick up the dyke again further on. You get good at walking along the dyke to avoid the boggy bits.
Looking back up to White Coomb by Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
Back at the burn, either go up above the first waterfall or below it to get a ford across. Then it is back on the good path back to the car park. This route walks right around Loch Skeen and it makes it the best route for scenery. In poor weather better going straight up onto the ridge. I had good weather though
Grey Mare's Tail by Joe Kincaid, on FlickrLoch Skeen by Joe Kincaid, on FlickrAt the mouth of the loch there are three paths to choose from. Over the burn and you can head straight up in front of you to the ridge. On the right a fisherman's path leads around the shores of the loch and further right a path that climbs up the bank and then heads towards a fence line and on to a dyke that goes up the Lochcraig Head. I took the fisherman's path as I wanted to get a good look at the loch. Boggy in bits,but then every path is up here.
Loch Skeen from climb up Lochcraig Head by Joe Kincaid, on FlickrAfter meandering along side the loch cut across to slope of Lochcraig Head and headed up. Steep here, counting my steps starting at 40 a time before a rest. Contouring it a bit to avoid scree and eventually joined up with path from the dyke to reach the top.
Loch Skeen from top of Lochcraig Head by Joe Kincaid, on FlickrFrom here on the walking is much easier with only gentle climbs and descents till White Coomb itself.
Walking round to White Coomb by Joe Kincaid, on FlickrFollowing a fence line as usual, small detours to avoid the wettest parts.
White Coomb top to Solway Firth by Joe Kincaid, on FlickrGreat view from the top. So I had my lunch here, sunny, a breeze, nothing more.
Walking back down by Joe Kincaid, on FlickrGoing back down, the drop back to Grey Mare looks impressive.
The route down to Grey Mare's Tail by Joe Kincaid, on FlickrThe dyke guides you till the crags, cutting left and dropping down to pick up the dyke again further on. You get good at walking along the dyke to avoid the boggy bits.
Looking back up to White Coomb by Joe Kincaid, on FlickrBack at the burn, either go up above the first waterfall or below it to get a ford across. Then it is back on the good path back to the car park. This route walks right around Loch Skeen and it makes it the best route for scenery. In poor weather better going straight up onto the ridge. I had good weather though