Murrays Monument

Thursday 8th March.
We set off for Murray's Monument, which is by the side of The Queens Drive, the road from Newton Stewart to New Galloway. The monument is set on a hill and is a short steep climb up from the car park. The views from the top are fabulous but today the weather was cloudy and damp. We then took a path behind the monument which joined a track up to the Black Loch. It was really pretty in spite of the weather.
Yet again the path we wanted was closed due to harvesting, so we tried an alternate route. This led us to stepping stones across Tonderghie Burn, but the burn was flowing so high we couldn't cross :(
Then it started raining, so we turned back. We decided to take a different (very muddy) path that led to the edge of the Wild Goat Park - there were some young kids - cute! The path then led us down to Grey Mare's Tail waterfall which was in full flow! Then back to the van for lunch and hot choccie!
We headed back via the pet shop in Newton Stewart for dog food, and revisited Isle of Whithorn, a historic fishing village we hadn't been to for over 10 years. There are now a couple of memorials to the crew (7) of the Solway Harvester which sank in storms off the coast of the Isle of Man in January 2000.
One is made up of a large mound of small rocks (about 4 feet high and 6 across) many of which have messages painted on by friends and family in memory of those lost. It seems other folk have since added their own rocks for their loved ones. It was very moving and I had a quiet moment thinking of Dad.
We watched the sunset and then headed back to the cottage for our last night in Scotland for this holiday.

Bennen Hill

Wednesday 7th March.
Today we were going to Laurieston Forest trails. The journey took us to Gatehouse of Fleet, (pretty village, cutest Boots ever!) and then across country to Laurieston. What a lovely road along the Fleet valley. Quite wild but beautiful.
When we reached the car park the forest trails were closed due to harvesting. A bit disappointed we decided to head for Bennen Hill viewpoint. Along the way we saw Red Kite hunting and stopped to watch them. What magnificent birds they are. I hope some of the photos are OK! ( watch out on Facebook soon!)
We reached the parking area and set off up the short but very steep climb to the viewpoint. We were rewarded with lovely views in spite of the cloudy weather. And then it rained! Not for long, fortunately, and that led to a lovely double rainbow!
We then decided to follow some tracks around the far side of the hill through the forest. It was lovely and the dogs were having fun (and getting muddy!). We stopped for lunch sitting on a rock under some trees, and half way through lunch it hail stormed! Lucky we were under trees!
As quickly as it started it stopped and the sun came out again! Bizarre!
We finished the trail and got back to the van for muffins and hot chocolate :)
There were more sightings of Red Kite on the way back, and we meandered across the Machars on a little winding road to the cottage. A bath for the dogs tonight!

Clatteringshaws Loch view

Tuesday 6th March.
Today we decided to walk to Benniguinea some 1200ft above Clatteringshaws Loch. The walk was on a good track almost all the way but was a steady steep climb most of the way. When we reached the top the views were stunning in spite of the cloudy weather. The wind was very strong and cold so we didn't stay long!
We descended on a different narrower track and found a sheltered spot for lunch on the way down. Oscar was off his lead most of the way and behaved well again. He definitely has an explorers instinct! Near the bottom on the way down there were sheep on the track which made him growl a little. I think he wanted to round them up!
We then headed back to Newton Stewart for shopping, stopping to watch the wild goats and also to grab a couple of easy caches. By this time the rain was falling quite steadily so we made our way back to the cottage via Port William with two very tired dogs!

Glen Trool

Monday 5th March.
Another lovely morning, and another delicious leisurely breakfast :)
We stopped in Newton Stewart for supplies on the way to Glen Trool, anticipating a lovely walk around Loch Trool. When we reached the car park we found that all the walks around the Loch were closed for refurbishment. :( We were extremely disappointed - we had been looking forward to this walk almost since the cottage was booked.
We scanned the maps but decided as it was already mid-day that we would park up at the visitor centre (all closed) and do a forest walk instead.
We set off through the forest and decided to try Oscar off his lead again. There were no other people around but he did really well. As we reached the riverside path it became clear he is going to love water! He investigated every puddle pond and riverbank he could reach!
After a while we stopped for lunch ( Lochinver pies , yummy!) and the weather got cooler with a few spots of rain. We decided to retrace our steps back along the riverside. We eventually returned to the visitor centre, and simply had to look for a cache near the bridge. Then back to the van for hot chocolate and snacks!
The drive home was lovely on a little B road across The Machars back to the cottage.
After unpacking we took the dogs on the beach and watched the sunset! The beach was very rocky so Oscar had to learn some climbing skills - no problem though for Molly with all her experience!
Then home for a lovely meal and chillaxing!

Mull of Galloway, 4th March.

We woke to a beautiful sunny, but cold, morning. Coffee in the garden while the dogs exercised!
A leisurely brunch was followed by a drive to Stranraer for supplies. Rain when we got there, followed by snow and hail on the way out.
We decided to drive down the Mull of Galloway to the lighthouse - the
most southerly point of Scotland ( we had been to the most northerly point at Dunnet Head last summer). It is actually as far south as Workington!
A lovely drive and the sun was back out again. It was very very windy when we reached the end!
We walked the circular path around the Mull taking in the spectacular views across to the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland, and also catching a glimpse of the snow topped Cumbrian mountains! The Mull of Kintyre was also visible in the north, but the mist wasn't rolling in from the sea ;) No bagpipes :)
After we got back to the van we warmed up with some hot chocolate and then drove back to Ardwell, where we stopped at the picnic area by the beach for some late lunch and more hot chocolate.
We then took Molly and Oscar onto the beach and decided to let Oscar off his lead in public for the first time - eek! There was nobody else on this lovely beach :)
They were both really good and had a great time charging round on the beach. Oscar soon learnt to come when called - tasty treats are a great incentive!
Then back to the cottage for a well earned supper. There were some spectacular skyscapes on the way - obviously some rain somewhere!
A lovely day and both well relaxed :)

On the way to Auchenmalg.

Saturday 3rd March.
An uneventful drive to the holiday cottage. Oscar's new travel sickness tablet did the job, though he did seem a little spaced out! Several short stops seemed to help.
The cottage is lovely, plenty of space and lovely views across Luce Bay.