The passing juggernauts failed to wake me, so it’s a bit of a late start.
One of the reasons for enduring the A75 is to visit the two Neolithic burial tombs at Cairn Holy, dramatically situated in the hills at the end of a steep woodland climb. I have the place to myself, so circle round the stones several times, watching how they dominate the surrounding wild landscape.
It’s a short walk to Carsluith Castle. A chap explains that it is a fortified house rather than a castle, protecting the family from raiding neighbours. The OakHill cafe is next door, serving delicious poached eggs and avocado. I’m becoming worryingly healthy.
Thankfully, it’s possible to avoid the A75 entirely for the rest of the day, following parallel roads and a cycle path, taking me past some attractive gardens.
One house has a manikin in the window. Is it just me that finds that image slightly sinister? Perhaps I’m picking up some vibes, as revealed in a museum window in Creetown. I did not appreciate that The Wicker Man was filmed in this area. That would explain the huge wooden figure I found on my last visit. Burial tombs and giant effigies; I’m slipping back into pagan times.
The cycle path follows a disused railway line, through a deep cutting with water dripping down moss covered rocks, in silence despite the A75 being only a short distance away, before climbing through pretty woodland.
The sun is shining by the time I reach my campsite, just outside Newton Stewart, before a leisurely stroll round the town for food and drink. It’s been a lovely relaxing day.
Walk distance: 15 miles.
Total distance: 1,782 miles.
Hi Tony,. you’ll be pleased to know thats you done with the A75 (apart from crossing it one last time!). More spooky things to come, with witches awaiting you on the Machars. Actually, not really scary just extremely sad that people’s superstitution allowed them to horribly kill many innocent women.
Yes, it’s impossible not to get wrapped up in the history of the places you pass through, some more brutal than others.
I liked the path along the old railway line where it looked so lush and green. I’m glad you got Cairn Holy to yourself as I think that’s the best way to appreciate the best neolithic cairn in the south west. Unfortunately, there’s nearly always been other people there when I’ve visited and some were slightly annoying!
I was lucky with my relatively early morning timing. A few cars were arriving as I left.