Ruth's Coastal Walk (UK)

318 Isle of Whithorn to Port William

Posted on June 1, 2017 by Ruth Livingstone

I set off from the Isle of Whithorn in a great mood. It’s a brilliant day for walking. The morning is mild – no wind – and the landscape is flooded with warm sunshine.

Continue reading →

Posted in 19 Dumfries and Galloway | Tagged hiking, otter, photography, scotland, travel | 28 Comments

317 Garlieston to Isle of Whithorn

Posted on May 31, 2017 by Ruth Livingstone

Today my planned walk follows core paths from Garlieston to the next village along the coast, a place called Isle of Whithorn.

After my wonderful experience on core paths yesterday, I’m not anticipating any problems. So I set out from Garlieston full of optimism, and walk around the edge of the harbour. Even with the tide out, and with mud everywhere, the bay looks lovely.

Continue reading →

Posted in 19 Dumfries and Galloway | Tagged cattle, coast, photography, pilgrimage, travel | 30 Comments

316 pm Wigtown to Garlieston

Posted on May 30, 2017 by Ruth Livingstone

It is possible to walk to Garlieston along the B7004. The road isn’t very busy. But I decide to walk through some adjacent Forestry Commission woodland instead. Kilsture Wood.

Continue reading →

Posted in 19 Dumfries and Galloway | Tagged bluebells, hiking, photography, travel, woodland | 19 Comments

316 am Wigtown to Garlieston

Posted on May 30, 2017 by Ruth Livingstone

Yesterday I discovered the coastal walk out of Wigtown was closed due to ‘lambing’, so this morning I know I must follow the road. At least it’s quiet, with a pavement, and the countryside is attractive.

Two goats watch my progress from a steep field. They want to join me, and leap up and down, butting at the fencing. Naughty! Continue reading →

Posted in 19 Dumfries and Galloway | Tagged bluebells, cattle, hiking, photography, travel | 8 Comments

315 Newton Stewart to Wigtown

Posted on May 23, 2017 by Ruth Livingstone

The light is dull this morning, but at least it’s not raining. I walk out of Newton Stewart along the A714. Wigtown is only 8 miles away, says the signpost, but I know my route will be a little longer because I intend to divert away from the A road as soon as I can.

Continue reading →

Posted in 19 Dumfries and Galloway | Tagged books, hiking, photography, travel, woodland | 23 Comments

314 Creetown to Newton Stewart

Posted on May 22, 2017 by Ruth Livingstone

Today I plan to walk up the River Cree from Creetown, cross over the bridge at Newton Stewart, and continue down the other side of the river to Wigtown. I have a complicated travel plan that involves two buses… but… it’s raining.

What a miserable day! I decide to walk under the shelter of my big green umbrella.

Continue reading →

Posted in 19 Dumfries and Galloway | Tagged cycle route, hiking, photography, travel, woods | 10 Comments

313 Gatehouse of Fleet to Creetown

Posted on May 21, 2017 by Ruth Livingstone

I catch the bus from Creetown to Gatehouse of Fleet (apparently, the locals just call it ‘Gatehouse’) and start off down the street from the Murray Arms Hotel, where I ended my last walk.

Today I have two routes to choose from. The most obvious route, and the one that sticks closest to the coast, is the A75. But, other coastal walkers warned me how awful this road is, with no pavement, and a stream of heavy lorries heading for the Stranraer ferry port. Continue reading →

Posted in 19 Dumfries and Galloway | Tagged hiking, military road, photography, travel | 14 Comments

312 Brighouse Bay to Gatehouse of Fleet

Posted on May 20, 2017 by Ruth Livingstone

The first bus I try to board is full of people, and is the wrong one. “I’m going to Gatehouse, not Brighouse. You need the council bus,” says the driver, rather sniffily.

The next bus that arrives is empty. The journey to Brighouse Bay normally costs the princely sum of £1. I have my fare ready in my hand, but I must look very down-at-heel because the driver decides to let me travel free of charge.

Brighouse Bay is lovely this morning. I follow the path along the shore.

Continue reading →

Posted in 19 Dumfries and Galloway | Tagged bluebells, hiking, photos, travel | 21 Comments

311 Kirkcudbright to Brighouse Bay

Posted on May 19, 2017 by Ruth Livingstone

Kirkcudbright is pronounced Kerr-coo-bree. Who would have guessed? It’s a pretty town with pastel-coloured buildings and a pleasant park in the centre. Much nicer than Dalbeattie, and there’s a buzz to the place.

Today I’m planning to walk to Brighouse Bay – a refreshingly straightforward and pronouncable sort of name! Continue reading →

Posted in 19 Dumfries and Galloway | Tagged bluebells, hiking, photography, scotland, travel | 9 Comments

310 pm Dundrennan ranges to Kirkcudbright

Posted on May 18, 2017 by Ruth Livingstone

I eat my lunch and enjoy the views over Kirkcudbright Bay. The rocks below me are extraordinary – jagged, twisted and fissured as if they’ve been sculpted by a crazy giant wielding a serrated knife.