This excellent walk climbs amongst the lowly but rugged area of little hills on the western edge of Gatehouse of Fleet. With Pictish stone carvings, superb views, an impressive monument and romantic church ruins, it has plenty of interest.
Rough waymarked paths and minor roads; can be muddy in places.
Bus to Gatehouse of Fleet.
Gatehouse of Fleet car park.
Park in the public car park in Gatehouse of Fleet just east of the bridge over the river. Off on the opposite side of the road is the Mill of Fleet - an old watermill housing tourist information centre, cafe and exhibition space which is worthy of a visit. Begin the walk by heading west along the main street - 'Fleet Street!', crossing the bridge and continuing until the main road bends left.
At this point a footpath ahead climbs up to the Venniehill Viewpoint, but the walk turns right along a minor road. Pass the Venniehill picnic site and follow the tarmac lane which soon begins climbing. Keep right when it appears to fork, soon reaching a gate and cattle grid where the lane ends and becomes a track. Leave it here by turning left through a small gate just before the cattle grid - a footpath that leads through the bottom of a private garden before crossing a high stone stile over a wall. On the next section of the walk the path winds through an area of bracken and rolling wee hills - pay careful attention to the waymarkers to stay on route.
The path would be hard to follow where it not for the arrow posts. Continue until a fork where a sign indicates Trusty's Hill to the left and Anwoth to the right. The route eventually heads to Anworth, but Trusty's Hill is worth the detour so go left first. The path heads towards this low hill and heads round its left flank before doubling back to climb it. Just before the bald grassy top is reached, an iron railing is seen encasing a rock. This is to protect the ancient Pictish carvings which can be clearly made out on the rock - it is rare to find Pictish carvings so far from the main homeland of the Picts in northeast Scotland. The top of Trusty's Hill is though to have once been a fort and offers fine views of the Fleet valley and Gatehouse. Return to the path junction (shortcuts lead to trouble!) and this time take the 'Anwoth' option.
The path leads through a kissing gate and continues its winding course until another sign indicates Rutherford's Monument to the left and Anwoth to the right. Once again the walk will return to this point to continue to Anworth, but first take the detour to visit the prominent granite obelisk that is Rutherford's Monument - there should be no difficulty in finding it! The monument commemorates a minister from Anwoth who later became Professor of Divinity at St Andrews University; it commands a superb view of the Fleet Estuary. Nearby a second monument is more modern, commemorating all the ministers who followed!
Return to the path junction and take the Anwoth option. The route soon enters mature woodland and descends through the trees; go through the gate and across the field at the bottom to pass to the left of the ruined church and reach the minor road beyond, opposite a picturesque cottage.
Turn right along the road which leads through very attractive countryside - the Fleet Valley is a National Scenic Area. Eventually the B796 is met at a t-junction - turn right here and carefully follow this back into Gatehouse of Fleet.
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