Carsphairn

I left my car on the west side of the A713 just south of Deugh Bridge and north of the village of Carsphairn then walked across the road, passed a cottage and onto a vehicle track.

Start of walk
Start of walk

This took me through a field of sheep and lambs and initially along the south bank of a burn.

Track through field of sheep and lambs
Track through field of sheep and lambs

The track later left this stream and continued in a north-easterly direction below Willieanna and Dunool.

Track continues below Willieanna and Dunool
Track continues below Willieanna and Dunool

The vehicle track came to an end at a stone dyke which was followed south-east through some damp ground to the footbridge over the Polsue Burn.

Bridge over the Polsue Burn and route ahead
Bridge over the Polsue Burn and route ahead

It was then a steady climb along the side of this stone dyke to the summit of Cairnsmore of Carsphairn where there was a cairn and trig point. The highest point of this Corbett was apparently an embedded rock 12 metres to the north-west. As had been the case in the past few days in the south-west of Scotland the views weren’t very good due to a haze.

Ascent route Cairnsmore of Carsphairn
Ascent route Cairnsmore of Carsphairn
Summit, Cairnsmore of Carsphairn
Summit, Cairnsmore of Carsphairn

After a break here I descended south then south-west to Black Shoulder later heading west as I made the easy stroll to Dunool. In poor conditions the stone dyke would assist in navigation.

Route to Dunool
Route to Dunool

From Dunool I descended to the col with Willieanna where there was a gate of sorts at the junction of stone dykes. I then climbed to the summit of the Willieanna the highest point of this Tump being on the opposite side (east) of the stone dyke I had been following.

Willieanna and Craig of Knockgray
Willieanna and Craig of Knockgray

I remained on the east side of the stone dyke as I descended south towards the col with Craig of Knockgray coming across a stock fence which I quickly learned consisted of an electric wire. Once I negotiated this and a further electric fence lower down I reached the Benloch Burn which was easily crossed. It was then a steady climb to the junction of walls marking the summit of the Hump, Craig of Knockgray.

Route to Craig of Knockgray
Route to Craig of Knockgray
Willieanna, Dunool and Cairnsmore of Carsphairn
Willieanna, Dunool and Cairnsmore of Carsphairn

There were more fences to cross as I descended west, latterly through some rough and wet ground, to reach the cottage beside the A713.

Village of Carsphairn with Corserine in the distance
Village of Carsphairn with Corserine in the distance
Descent route. Bow and Coran of Portmark in the distance
Descent route. Bow and Coran of Portmark in the distance
  • Time taken – 4.25 hours.
  • Distance – 12.75 kilometres.
  • Height climbed – 825 metres.