Hoddom Castle to the Solway Firth

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The final stage of the Annandale Way is a beautiful riverside walk along the banks of the River Annan. The town of Annan is en route with all facilities, but the stage end is simply a road end. It's a great stage for birdwatching, from the herons of the river to the wildfowl of the Solway.

Terrain

Good riverside paths, some tracks.

Public Transport

No public transport to Hoddom Castle; nearest bus is at Hoddom Cross. There is also no public transport from Newbiebarns at the end of the route - if a pick-up has not been arranged then there is a 3km walk back to Annan.

Start

Hoddom Castle. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

This stage starts at Hoddom Castle; the nearest public transport is at Hoddom Cross 3km away. Begin by heading north to rejoin the Annandale Way at the river. Do not cross it, instead turning right to head downstream. Eventually the path joins a track - turn left along this to reach the road by Hoddom Bridge. Turn left, crossing the bridge, then turn right onto the riverside path on the far side.

Stage 2

After 250m a grassy path on the left detours to visit St Kentigern’s churchyard, which dates back to the 11th century. Note the skulls carvings on some of the graves. St Kentigern - also known as St Mungo - is said to have come to Hoddom in 573, before becoming the patron saint of Glasgow. In 1991 the remains of a large 8th century monastery were discovered behind the kirkyard. Return to the riverbank.

Stage 3

The banks of the river have some beautiful old trees, and are a riot of wildflowers in early summer. Pass a couple of fishing huts, and cross tributaries on small footbridges - at one point requiring a short detour away from the river. When the path meets a track in the woods, fork right to keep on the riverside path. It eventually emerges at the road at Brydekirk Bridge.

Stage 4

Turn right to cross the bridge, then on the far side turn left immediately down River Street, then fork left onto a path when the road curves away to stay on the river bank. A woodland stretch follows, with the route climbing higher above the water.

Stage 5

Keep left at a fork and continue by the river. There is a muddy stretch alongside fields before some wonderful oakwoods are entered. Beyond is another more open stretch, where the route follows a grassy track for a time. Continue downriver, passing to the right around a fenced building to cross a parking area. Back by the river, cross a footbridge over a tiny tributary and up a few steps. At a track turn left to rejoin the river. Cross another tributary before passing under the A75.

Stage 6

Follow the path until it joins a track, then fork left when the path runs off to rejoin the river once more. Pass through a gate for a stretch across riverside meadows, rich in wild flowers. There's another gate before the final meadows; at the far end head up steps up to the road bridge over the Annan, and turn left here to head back onto the High Street. Annan dates back to medieval times, and was the home of the Bruce family - renowned for Robert the Bruce, king who won Scottish independence from England at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. At the far end of the bridge turn right to return to the riverbank.

Stage 7

After a short distance another bridge is reached - this time carrying the cycle path. Cross this to return to the west side, then follow the track runs to the houses at Newbie. Continue to the industrial buidlings, joining a road, then keep left at a road junction onto a minor lane. Ignore a footpath off left, instead continuing through the gate ahead, then at a junction of tracks turn left to an electricity substation. Pass to the right of this, then left to rejoin the now much wider River Annan, . Turn right to follow it to its mouth on the Solway Firth by Barnkirk Point.

Stage 8

The route now turns right to fllow the shore of Solway Firth. At a fork the route keeps right, soon joining a track. Go left here, then keep right at a fork in the track. The route becomes a path again and continues to pass a fenced compound, finally arriving at a cairn marking the end of the Annandale Way. This is the end of the walk. However, there is public transport or facilities here; if you have not arranged a pick-up, it's probably best to retrace your steps to Annan (not included in the distance given). You can shortcut this to 3km by taking the minor road back to Newbie.

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Hoddom Castle to the Solway Firth

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