Lochmaben to Hoddom Castle

From Lochmaben the Annandale Way runs beside big Castle Loch before crossing fields to the village of Hightae. Here the route climbs on minor roads and forest tracks through the woodlands around Rammerscales House to open moorland which is crossed to the 217 metre summit of Almagill Hill, a splendid viewpoint. The descent leads to more roads and fields and the Lockerbie branch rejoins before the route reaches Hoddom Castle.

Terrain

The climb to Almagill Head is the only significant ascent on the route apart from the first stage. The slopes of this hill are used for cattle grazing and can be very churned up, making for awkward walking whether wet or dry. In fact this is the roughest walking on the whole route. Narrow paths cross the hillsides but are not always clear. There are plenty of waymarks though. Away from the upland section the walking is on roads, tracks and good paths and there are no difficulties.

Public Transport

Bus to Lochmaben.

Start

Lochmaben. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

Lochmaben is a pleasant old town, dating back to at least the 13th century when a castle was built here; there are shops, cafes, bars and accommodation.The route leaves the town on a path beside Castle Loch, on which there are many water birds, including many swans. Look out for carved animals and benches along the path.

Stage 2

From the end of the loch the route follows tracks and paths through fields to the village of Hightae, where there is a hotel. The most interesting section is along a high dyke above a little stream called Calf Lake. To the south wooded slopes and moorland can be seen, the next destination of the Annandale Way.

Stage 3

From Hightae the route follows minor roads up into the woods and past big Rammerscales, a square red-stone Georgian manor house built in 1768, and set in lovely estate woodlands. Beyond the house forest tracks are followed out of the forest and onto open moorland.

Stage 4

The route runs along the eastern side of this broad wedge of moorland, which separates Annandale from Nithsdale. The initial walking is on good tracks but these fade away past a ruined farm and the going is rough up cattle rutted slopes to the trig point and pointed obelisk on Almagill Hill. The latter is known as Joe Graham's Monument. Graham was a local master of fox-hounds who died in 1893. The view from the summit over the chequered fields and woods of Annandale is one of the finest on the whole route.

Stage 5

There is no path on the descent down more rutted and gorse-strewn slopes from Almagill Hill. However there are two Annandale Way marker posts so keeping to the route isn't difficult in clear weather. The descent reaches a farm track and the route turns east past Almagill Farm and then runs on tracks and paths in fields and woods, crossing the B7020 road, to Williamwath Bridge over the River Annan.

Stage 6

The route follows the river south a short way on a path then leaves it for tracks and minor roads past ruined St Mungo's Church to Sorrysike Moor and a junction with the route from Lockerbie.

Stage 7

From Sorrysike Moor the route follows a track to Brocklerigg Farm and the Water of Milk and then a riverside track to a footbridge opposite Hoddom Castle. This track is also the Salmon Trail cycleway and there are many carvings and signs about the life cycle of the salmon. Cross the footbridge; to head onto the next stage of the Annandale Way turn left here along the riverside path, but to reach this stage end at Hoddom Castle go straight ahead across a field and through some woods. The castle was built in the 1560s. The grounds are now a caravan and camping park and there is a bar and shop in the castle; a pick up could be arranged here. The nearest bus stop is at Hoddom Cross, 2km along the road from Hoddom Bridge.

Next stage: Hoddom Castle to Annan

Route / photos : Chris Townsend

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