Hi MC, I was originally going to include the descent of Snibe Hill, cross the bog lands at Loch Narroch and return by the Rigg of Jarkness, but unfortunately I ran out of fuel. I would have needed to carry another corned beef roll to include that lot in my journey. However Im certain a younger person than I could easily eat the extra miles to include the Rig.
My walk started at Bruce’s stone and the plan was to head straight for the summit of the Buchan Hill via its steep front called the Black Gairy. I noticed a large ladder type style on the high deer fence as I walked down the track towards the bridge over the Buchan burn and wondered why it was there ? It looked in direct line with the summit so I clambered across and followed a very indistinct path. It brought be into the deep gorge of the Buchan burn just above a huge waterfall.
I looked for the way across but could only see one way. It involved a death defying leap across four feet of dark swirling water before it tumbled into the waterfall. The jump was onto a large round rock much higher than the rock I was jumping from. I hesitated a while and thought of the long walk round to the Buchan bridge. Taking a deep breath I louped the leap and grabbled the top of the high round rock with my hands. My feet found no grip on the slippery surface and went under the water. I cursed but managed to get onto the top of the rock by using my arms in a “press up” type motion, not easy with a rucksack falling over my head. If you decide to do this walk, I don’t recommend my route, take the sensible way and cross by the bridge further down hill.
A photo of the waterfall with the death defying leap above it. I noticed a withered bunch of flowers tied to a tree where I took this photo, and wondered if someone else had not been as lucky as me
The climb up the Buchan hill is steep and not recommended in poor visibility. Although its safe there are a lot of craggy outcrops to work around in a zig zag fashion. Here you can see one of the outcrops and a great view of Loch Trool below.
Once above the Black Gairy, the hill flattens before the summit. It was here that I saw my first feral goats. They are native of the Galloway hills and you can usually smell them long before you see them. Further in the distance I hear a new born kid calling its mother but as I don’t have a telephoto lens, there is no picture of it.
It’s a bit like the short sharp shock punishment treatment for criminal offenders in the 90’s but before you realise it, you are beside the cairn at the top of Buchan hill. The views over loch Trool then over towards Ireland make it all worth while.
From the summit, it’s a gentle descent onto the Rig of Loch Enoch and the walking is easy. In fact there are traces of a path along the broad ridge. This view from the ridge is looking across The Cauldron towards Benyellery on the left, connected to the Merrick on the right, by the Neive of the Spit ridge. I did that walk two weeks ago.
This is the view looking east towards Craiglee and its access ridge the Rig of Jarkness. I hope to do a walk report on it soon. It makes a lovely ridge walk and descent then return by rounding Loch Dee.
This photo shows the tops where Im walking too, covered in cloud clag. That is Craignaw with its top just peeking through, and I wasn’t looking forward to doing this round if the mist stayed on the ridges. I was pretty certain it would lift by the time I got there .
Everywhere you look in this area, there are huge boulders balanced on the ground. They are not man made monuments but natural made monuments to the glacier that made them. The huge glacier scooped and carved the landscape, carrying huge boulders in its icy mass. When the glacier finally melted, everything was stranded where it stopped.
The hills are solid granite with a very sparse covering of vegetation on top. Its very wet in the hills because the rainwater cant seep into the ground, instead it lies in puddles on the rock until it evaporates. This photo shows a typical puddle, beyond it is the crags of Craig Neldricken.
Only the strong survive in this type of terrain. This clump of heather survives the sodden ground which could rot its roots by growing on top of a rock
Because this walk is so long.. I have split it into two parts. Look back shortly and I hope to have the rest posted then.