Southern Upland Way 5: Sanquhar to Wanlockhead

This short stage crosses scenic moorland to the interesting old mining district along Wanlock Water, where it is worth spending some time exploring.

Terrain

Most of the route is on paths and tracks. There are some short steep sections and the going can be muddy in places. Care is needed with navigation on the highest sections when it's misty.

Public Transport

There are buses to both Wanlockhead and Sanquhar; the latter also has a rail station.

Start

Sanquhar. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 12.5km / 7.75 miles
Time: 4 - 5 hours
Ascent: 569m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NS780099

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Walk Description

Stage 1

The stage starts at the southern end of the High Street in Sanquhar where the Way turns up Leven Road, passes under the railway, bends right then left to a steep climb up a wide swathe of grass between stone walls with excellent views back to Sanquhar and the hills beyond. There are wooden benches along the climb. Near the top, at a spot known as Matthew's Folly, there is some decorative wrought ironwork and a formal sandstone cairn marking the centenary of the Sanquhar Riding of the Marches in 2010, an annual ceremonial event.

Stage 2

Beyond Matthew's Folly the Way joins a farm road, leaving this where it turns left for a footpath through fields and a narrow strip of woodland to a minor road across which it continues on another farm track to the corner of a wood.

Stage 3

The track is left here for a path that climbs up moorland slopes to a col south-east of Conrig Hill from where it drops down to the ruin at Cogshead. The edge of a forest is touched at Cogshead as the Way follows a track for a short distance across the Cog Burn towards the ruin.

Stage 4

From the ruin the Way becomes a path and climbs onto rough moorland again, across the southern slopes of Lowmill Knowe and then the western slopes of Glengaber Hill. This is fine rolling hill country with excellent views.

Stage 5

t a col below Glengaber hill the path becomes an old little-used track that descends quite steeply to Wanlock Water with the mine workings soon coming into view. Wanlock Water is crossed by a bridge and then the road on the north side followed up the valley to the first houses of the straggling village of Wanlockhead.

Stage 6

Soon the Way leaves the road and descends to cross Wanlock Water again and follow the track of an old narrow guage railway into the main part of the village where there is the interesting Museum of Mining, which has a cafe. Wanlockhead is the highest village in Scotland at 425 metres. Mining was carried out here from the Middle Ages to the 1950s.

Route: Chris Townsend

Next stage: Wanlockhead to Beattock

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