Cairnsmore of Fleet and my first Swifts of the year

Hill: Cairnsmore of Fleet

Category: Graham/Donald

Height: 711m

An excellent walk over Cairnsmore of Fleet with the Ayr OIR. 

The weather alternated between cool and very warm, clouds built up and threatened to drop their loads but thankfully none came our way.

Cairnsmore of Fleet is just outside Newton Stewart. A straightforward walk but as an isolated hill it has superb all round views.

Heading into the woods

The initial stretch, ascending through the woodlands of Bardrochwood moor was warm and clammy, beasties flying but a cool breeze kept most at bay. A good track all the way and before long the open moorland of the hill was reached.

Good track to summit

The eye could see that the good track continued up the hill. Stop to take in the superb views behind. 

Wigton Bay

The tide was out and the sands of Wigton Bay stood out. Further on the Mull of Galloway stretches out to the sea and the coastline of Northern Ireland just in view. Magnificent.

Galloway hills behind trig

On towards the top, path more boggy but no problem and then the memorial cairn to the 9 aircraft crashes on the hill. Cool now, a good time for a sheltered lunch and take in the views of the Galloway hills. Good banter with the usual name that hill quiz. As we lunched half a dozen swifts twisted and turned after their lunch, my first sighting of swifts this year.

Cairn 2 ahead

After lunch we wandered over and past the ‘Spout of the Clints’ where a small herd of 5 wild goats was spotted running towards, never to be seen again.

Goats disappeared down there

Dick collecting his flock

The secondary cairn is huge, dated from the bronze age is at 656m, standing above the Knee of Cairnsmore.

Descent

We descended down the rocky flanks of the ‘Door of Cairnsmore’. Full concentration every step as these slopes were littered with heather and grass hidden holes, capable of damaging an ankle or worse. Glad to reach the rough path that could be seen from above.

All safely down

As we headed back to the woods I spotted two beautiful Red Angus cows looking at us, quite far away on our left. Then they started coming closer. Not curiosity as they broke into a run and they were quick. Looking to our other flank the rest of the herd were grazing uphill. Thankfully the two ran across our path to rejoin the others without running us down, exciting times.

Pearl bordered fritillary? (if so rare butterfly)

A very good walk, enjoyed the chatter and the company, all good on a fine day.

Wildlife: Wild goats, Swift, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Buzzard, Crow, Orange Tip, Meadow brown, Grayling, Pearl bordered fritillary.

Time: 4.39

Ascent: ft (m) 2377 (767m)

Distance: m (km) 9.36 (15.3km)