Wamphray Glen circuit, near Moffat

Summary

This waymarked circuit set up by the Crown Estate explores a wooded glen, the site of an old motte and bailey, an old mill and a fine old church, all set in farmland on the east side of Annandale.

Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Waymarked paths and minor roads; muddy in places. The route includes many steps and has become rough in places - it was originally set up many years ago.

Getting there

Start

Small parking area by road junction and walk info board at NY120960.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start Grid Ref

NY120960

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 5km / 3 miles
Time: 1.5 - 2 hours
Ascent: 110m (Profile)

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Explorer 322 - Annandale

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Walk Description

User reports (1)

Stage 1

The walk starts from where the Boreland Road leaves the road down the east side of Annandale at Wamphray, between Moffat and Lockerbie. There is space to park several cars and an information board gives details about the route. Begin by following the path into the woods next to the board; it soon descends steps to reach the bottom of the wooded glen, and then crosses a footbridge over the burn. On the far side follow the path to the right, but soon fork left to head up a flight of wooden steps.

Stage 2

At the top of the steps turn right to follow a narrow path between the fence and the top edge of Wamphray Glen. Further on the path climbs some more steps, and later passes through a pedestrian gate. Cross a feeder burn on a footbridge and then head up to follow the field edge above the woods once more.

Stage 3

Keep along the field edge until the path re-enters the edge of the trees through another pedestrian gate. This part of the path is becoming eroded; after another gate, keep right beside the fence, soon turning right over a drain. The path leads into the woods once more before climbing up to the pasture edge again - the flat-topped mound up to the left here is the site of a motte and bailey castle. Dating back to 1100AD, there would have been a wooden tower on it, surrounded by a palisade to protect cattle. Keep to the right of this to follow the path which now leads down and crosses a footbridge to reach a minor road.

Stage 4

Turn right along the road, which soon crosses a wooden bridge. then continuing on the far side past the former Wamphray Mill - now a private house. Further on the road climbs past Wamphray Kirk to reach a junction. You could short cut back to the start by turning right here, but our route goes left, climbing past the far side of the church.

Stage 5

After around 500m turn right at a footpath sign to head through the rightmost of two gates. This leads along a muddy, tree-shaded track; turn right again when this reaches a fence. Pass through two pedestrian gates and continue along a track beneath the edge of trees. The track continues between two fences; after a gate, cross another track and turn left onto a path still between two fences. This soon swings right. When it meets a hard track turn right down this. There are views towards Queensberry and the Harestanes wind farm in the distance.

Stage 6

At the road turn left, then right at the next junction (footpath sign) - onto a grassy track, not the stony one ahead. The track descends between hedgerows and then curves left next to the woods. Eventually it emerges on a larger track; bear right onto this. When it meets a minor road turn left to follow this back to the start.

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