:: Tuesday 15th May

CAIRNSMORE FROM THE RED DEER RANGE

Cairnsmore of Fleet is one of three hills named Cairnsmore in Galloway but this one dominates Newton Stewart and the Cree Valley. It is a popular walks with locals as it is only a ten-minute drive from Newton Stewart to the start of the normal route and can be completed in three hours.

However, the route chosen for this walk is a bit more challenging but much more rewarding. Most of the route is on fairly good surfaces with a couple of sections where it potentially can be 'typically Galloway' wet and tussocky, but this walk must be viewed as mountainous and prospective walkers must be properly attired with boots and protective clothing carried in a day sac.

Walkers will be transported to the start at the Red Deer Range, which is on the road to New Galloway. We take the forest road opposite and follow it for a couple of kilometres at the same time gently ascending to 350 metres. On leaving the road we go through trees to climb the first peak of the day, Craignarget that literally translated means crag of silver and is believed that silver was mined in bygone days.

It is now a straightforward route to the top of Cairnsmore via Millfore Hill (another common name for hills in Galloway), Craignelder with an interesting rocky escarpment and a fascinating crag named Flesh Market. Wild goats roam these hills so perhaps this is where they met their demise! We carry on past the Coo Lochans, Deers Den and Meikle Multaggart and the ground steepens on the final kilometre to the summit. Good views of the corries on the east side of Cairnsmore are seen from this approach.

The views to the west and south are hidden until you reach the summit plateau and on a clear day it is possible to see five kingdoms: England, Wales, Isle of Man, Ireland and Scotland. The sixth kingdom, heaven, is of course directly above you.

Cairnsmore in Gaelic is Carrach Aonach Mor which means great mountain (rocky hill-pillar) and the more than two dozen aircraft accidents are a grim reminder that this huge rock of granite is unforgiving to the unwary. A landing and take-off has also been achieved on the broad plateau!

Due to the flat top it is necessary to move around to appreciate the wonderful vistas from the summit but in all directions you can only marvel at nature’s creations.

There are various routes to Kirroughtree Visitor Centre with the well defined path back to Cairnsmore farm the most straightforward but, if time permits, it is worth going to the southerly top at the Knee of Cairnsmore giving you a closer look at the easterly corries and the opportunity to look towards the Clints of Dromore.

The descent from here is following a steep ridge towards the Graddoch Burn where the forest road leads back to the farm already mentioned, or an alternative is to continue to Bardrochwood farm. This is a delightful conclusion to a splendid walk following Bargaly Glen back to the Visitor Centre with the bluebells in full bloom.