Watson Bird Walk, St John's Town of Dalry

Summary

This varied walk was created to celebrate the late Donald Watson, a renowned bird artist who lived in Dalry; it was one of his favourite routes. The first half is along the flood embankment of the Water of Ken, rich in wildflowers. The second half climbs over Mulloch Hill with superb views over the Glenkens.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Good path along raised flood embankment for first half. Second half is rougher, on open hill pastures.

Getting there

Start

Street parking in St John's Town of Dalry.

Public Transport

Bus to St John's Town of Dalry.

Start Grid Ref

NX620812

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 5km / 3 miles
Time: 1.5 - 2 hours
Ascent: 115m (Profile)

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Explorer 320 - Castle Douglas

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Walk Description

User reports (1)

Stage 1

There is on-street parking along Main St in St John's Town of Dalry. Begin the walk by heading to the bottom end of the street, passing to the right of the Clachan Inn to take the signed track to the right of the Town Hall - the building with the clocktower that looks a bit like a church. The track is signed as a footpath tor New Galloway. When the track swings left, fork right on the footpath. Soon it leads down steps to reach a footbridge over the river - don't cross, instead turning left through a pedestrian gate.

Stage 2

The route now runs along the top of the flood embankment for the river - the Water of Ken - for the next section, following a wide meander. The wildflowers are beautiful in early summer; watch out for the many songbirds. After 2km, the path leads through a gate onto a grassy track next to a cottage. At the hard track beyond turn left.

Stage 3

The track soon leads to the main A731 road. Go straight across, passing through a pedestrian gate on the far side. This second half of the walk crosses rough pastureland with no clear path. Aim ahead through the field, keeping to the right of a shallow burn, towards the big oak trees. Above these, the route keeps to the left of a drystone dyke until there is a pedestrian gate - use this to cross to the other side and continue uphill with the wall now on your left.

Stage 4

When another pedestrian gate is reached turn left through it and then the adjacent farm gate. The summit of Mulloch Hill is atop the mound in front of you - the easiest route up is slightly to the left. Near the top is a picnic table with a superb view looking towards Loch Ken.

Stage 5

The trig point marking the highest point is just to the left. A signpost indicates the direction to begin your descent, soon passing another lower cairn. Bear slightly left to reach and pass through a gate in a fence and wall, then head to the next marker post, and another gate in another wall. Now bear right, passing through yet another gate, then keep on to the very far end of the next field.

Stage 6

Pass through this to join a grassy track, and follows this back into St John's Town of Dalry. Turn left down Kirkland Steet with its whitewashed cottages, then take the next right onto Throughgate to return to Main Street and the start.

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