A Pilgrim ramble.....St Ninians Cave

Walk: St Ninians's Cave

This short ramble was inspired by the Pilgrims walk from Glasgow to Whithorn but this is certainly not the full walk, only a very, very short section, the final mile or so. A recent visit to the Govan Stones and a chat with the staff kicked it off. Many pilgrims past and present would have visited the Govan site en route. Well worth visiting.

I was in the area for a break with the good lady site who was happy with a short walk to visit this historic place.

Scotland has so much history of all kinds and on my rambles I enjoy stopping and immersing myself in locations and try to imagine the sounds, sights, smells etc. of that history.

St Ninians Cave has been documented as a place of worship and healing back to the 8^th century. St Ninian is reputed to be the 1st Saint in Scotland, 397AD. That's a huge wow for me. The Latinus Stone on display at the Priory is the oldest surviving Christian memorial.

The ramble will be narrated mainly via the snaps.

Well sign posted

Despite the time of year the birds were still singing in this lovely wooded section

Out of the woods there are options

But we continued straight on down Physgill Glen where the water soon came into view. Despite it being summer the weather was cool, the water was gunmetal grey rather than Mediterranean blue but this is Scotland.

Colourful flora such as this Campion all around the path as we walked down

Evidence of geological upheaval 

A true shingle beach to cross to wards the cave seen ahead. Not much different to what the 8th century pilgrims would have seen

How smooth are these?

A recent podcast suggested that rocks with this quartz strata lining had a good chance of containing a fossil. Same podcast examined rocks from Nairn area and found some minerals had only be found in rocks in Estonia. Considering they started being formed sub equator they have travelled a long way.

Just reflect on the exact spot and cave entrance, those early travellers all stood here. The interior has collapsed so only the entrance is clear, although danger of rockfall signs around.

Not quite sure she is a pilgrim!

Free Sea Kale for your foraging diet

Rock Pipit

Trail back that away

The season is coming to an end

So an excellent short ramble. For those a lot more adventurous the walk can be comfortable extended by doing a circuit from Whithorn or including some of the way marked coastal paths.

Time to relax, some mead would be appropriate.

A fabulous short ramble.....Glencoe Lochan

 Walk: Glencoe Lochan

On a short trip with the good lady I was looking for some short but scenic rambles that she could enjoy and this looked like a perfect opportunity to explore a rarely visited part of Glencoe village.

There is a well appointed car park but be warned it is a pay car park that does not take cash/card, mobile phone only payment system that come with dodgy reputations so you might be better to park in the village and walk the ‘hard’ extra 5 minutes.

This short circuit was a blockbuster for this time of the year, a short option but one that I would highly recommend for anyone wanting to stretch their legs on their way north or staying in the area.

Good lady eager to get on with it

What's good about it? Actually rather a lot. It is mainly a woodland walk, the trees being planted back in the 1800’s by The Earl of Strathcona to make his Canadian wife feel less homesick, didn't work as she went back to Canada. Still there are a lot of impressive trees, unfortunately a lot non native along with invasive shrubs . Throw in a small but very scenic lochan. There are 3 official coloured walking routes but our ramble incorporated all three.

She is doing well

But still more to come

Pap of Glencoe from the top of the trail

Initially a short but steep climb through the trees, up the blue ‘Mountain Trail’, steep for the good lady, before we got some hill views dominated by the Pap of Glencoe but also more views across Loch Leven.

Down to the lochan and out of the trees, Beinn a Bheithir was silhouetted on the calm water, stunning Autumn view.

No sooner up before we were heading back down to the lochan. We had seen some Redwings in the trees up top but out in the open they were flying over the lochan in huge numbers, hundreds were seen.

From another angle looking back is The Pap

Rounding the lochan a Great Spotted Woodpecker was hammering away, so loud. I cannot remember hearing one so obvious like this at this time of the year, always associated them knocking with Spring. It is a beautiful spot with Beinn a Bheithir silhouetted on the calm water. That brings back memories of a very hot day.

On the final section this American invasive shrub dominated, Gaultheria Shallon

Antler scrape?

The last section was another lovely woodland but at times many trees by storm damage. Mighty Douglas Firs and Sequoias amidst our traditional trees like Ash, Beech, Rowan, Oak etc. Also passed this which was the right height for a red deer to scrape its antlers against.

Looking across to the Corbett Mam na Gualainn with interesting clouds forming

Back at the car zoomed in on these dramatic Altocumulus clouds

A cracking short term ramble which highlighted the beauty and impact of a Highland woodland. The colours and structures were amazing. I was also taken by just how much bird noise there was. As it is Autumn it was obviously not the breeding season but clearly there was a lot of bonding calling going on as groups moved through the trees.

A wee ramble we will do again.

Ascent: 147m

Distance: 2.9

Time: 1.14

Wildlife: Great Spotted Woodpecker; Great Tit; Coal Tit; Long Tailed Tit; Robin;

A delightful walk.....Sandgreen Bay

 Walk: Gatehouse of Fleet - Sandgreen Bay

The good lady was at an arty workshop so I took advantage of the good weather to do this circular walk. No hills involved but I absolutely loved it. I did the walk clockwise but either way fine. 

Stunning woodland pity you cannot hear the non stop singing of the spring birds

The ruined Temple

My ramble started by going through the Caley Palace woods which were alive with singing birds, a magical place today.

Interesting water level board at the side of the road! Any information on why this is here would be welcomed.

The old church ruins at Girthon. This structure was built on top of another church estimated first established in the 13th century.

There is some road walking but it is so devoid of traffic that the feeling of peaceful countryside dominated.

Him

or Him?

Then cutting along to Sandgreen Bay where I encountered the testosterone bulls. I was far away wondering what this low level rumbling noise was. Then I spotted five bulls in the field and the noise was coming from two of them who were having an alpha male encounter. Watched for around 10 minutes, the body language of the two was fascinating as was the body behavior of the other three bulls who were clearly agitated.

A beautiful bay with the D&G coast a standout. The bay has a large caravan park surrounding it and as you would expect water sports dominate. As I walked through the caravan park boats, canoes and other sea sport items were plentiful.

Turned around and headed back into the forest with outstanding scenery including the stunning bluebell woods and running water.

So warm it was great. If your in the area I strongly recommend this ramble.

After all that energy expended it is time for a pint sitting outdoors at the Masonic Arms in the spring sunshine, bliss.  

Ascent: 93m

Distance: 14.42km

Time: 4 hours

No gold just grey today....Coronish mine walk

Walk: Cononish Gold Mine

Ascent: 185m

Breaking the trip with a short walk for the good lady. Last year we had watched the documentary series about the goldmine so it was an opportunity for her to actually see the location of the mine. Albeit from a distance but vehicles were moving about the entrance but not a great deal to get excited about. The weather forecast was for sunshine and showers which turned out to be a lot of showers, some heavy rain and very little sunshine. The low clouds also meant she didn't get to see the higher summits of Oss & Lui. The River Cononish was impressive in full spate, slate grey matching the skies. 

Still a pleasant enough ramble, the first of a few low level walks for this week.

Distance: 9.43km

Time: 2.08

Wildlife: Blue Tit; Great Tit; Raven; Meadow Pipit.