Carsethorn and Powillimount Shore walk

Summary

This tidal walk heads out along the shores of the Solway Firth from Carsethorn, continuing across the sands and mud until Powillimount Beach. The return is along quiet country roads, passing John Paul Jones cottage museum - the birthplace of the father of the US Navy.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Sand and mud on the shore section, which is impassable at high tide; a few rockier sections. Return on country roads.

Public Transport

Bus to Carsethorn from Dumfries.

Start

Small car park in Carsethorn. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 9km / 5.5 miles
Time: 3 - 3.5 hours
Ascent: 60m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NX993598

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Walk Description

User reports (1)

Stage 1

The walk begins from Carsethorn village; there is a small car park immediately beyond the Steamboat Inn. The outward section of this walk is tidal, and impassable for a couple of hours around high tide.

Stage 2

Begin the walk by heading down onto the shore and turning right along it; it is mostly on firm sand and mud, with some small stones. The shore is backed by native woodland.

Stage 3

There are a few short rockier sections as the route passes Hogus Point and Borron Point. The route passes the House on the Shore at the back of the next bay - a spectacular arts and crafts house. It is a private home so continue along the shore.

Stage 4

The shoreline becomes much rockier. After 3.5km it is possible to head through a natural arch - the Thirl Stane.

Stage 5

Once through the arch, turn left along the beach until the car park at Powillimount. Here take the minor road inland. After around 0.75km turn right onto a track, signed for the John Paul Jones museum.

Stage 6

The museum is on the right after a further 500m. John Paul Jones was a complex character; regarded as a pirate by England, he was a hero to the French and is regarded as the father of the US Navy; the museum is housed in his birthplace. Continue the walk along the track.

Stage 7

At a junction, with Arbigland Gardens on your right, turn left. Follow the track to the public road, then turn right along it. Keep left when a track goes off right, continuing along the road for 900m. At the next junction, turn right. Ignore the turning on the right for the dairy at Tallowquhairn, instead following the road that bends left. At the t-junction, turn right to return to Carsethorn.

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