:: Wednesday 16 May

CAIRNSMORE OF DEE

This walk is offered as an alternative to the very arduous day on the Rhinns of Kells but it still provides rough walking in the middle section. There are three main Cairnsmores in the Galloway Hills, Cairnsmore of Dee, or as it is sometimes called Black Craig of Dee, is the smallest at 493 metres.

Transport will take the group to Clatteringshaws Wildlife Visitor Centre, which is well worth spending some time in to discover what can be seen in the Forest Park. There is another Bruce’s Stone close by at Raploch Moss commemorating his victory in 1307. This battle took place prior to the one at Loch Trool and there will be time to visit it. Clatteringshaws Loch is man made and is part of the Galloway Hydro- Electric Scheme created in the 1930s.

The route starts opposite the Visitor Centre following a forest road to Benniguinea where there is a prominent radio mast. The views back over Clatteringshaws to the hills beyond give a different perspective to other views that may have been seen earlier in the Festival.

The next part of the walk is on typical Galloway ground, pathless, heathery, tussocks and muddy in bits however the panoramic views make all the puffing and panting worthwhile. The summit is reached using the ridge and a well-earned lunch can be taken beside the trig point. The route now goes south over the Rig of Craig Gilbert and Craig Gilbert itself for two kilometres dropping on to the Raider’s Road. We follow this back to the dam and a short walk along the road takes us back to the Visitor Centre where a welcome cup of coffee can be purchased.

Time will be allowed to further explore the Centre and surroundings before being transported back to Newton Stewart.