Criffel.

A dodgy weather forecast left us in two minds.The best place to go would seem to have been a clifftop walk at St.Abbs head in Berwickshire but there was a small chance of a good day in the Dumfries area.I really fancied a stretch of the legs though so we headed south down the M74 for Criffel.It didn`t look to promising going over Beattock summit as the windscreen wipers were brought out of retirement after 8 weeks inactivity.I think the last time was on the return from Kaim Hill on the 8th March :)

Things began to look up though as we cut off the motorway and approached the outskirts of Dumfries.Just after leaving New Abbey I took this pic of Criffel through the windscreen..



To reach the car park for Crifell you take a right turn off the A710 at NX978638 signposted Ardwall and along this single track to a fair sized carpark at it`s conclusion.A large notice board points the way through the lower section of sitka spruce.The path climbs steadily upwards alongside a rather nice stream and over the granite bedrock although there are a few muddy sections to negotiate.We soon crossed a forestry road and broke out onto the open hillside.

Bob and the River Nith below...



Soon however,as we hit the 1500ft mark, the clouds gathered round,obscuring what I know is a fantastic view over the Solway.Nae luck..! We made good time to the summit but didn`t hang around for too long,just long enough for me to get my trig point photo :)



Couple of rams on the way down....especially for Martina :)



An obliging hare in the farmyard near the bottom...





The day was still young however and we mulled over options for the rest of the afternoon.It was a toss up between going to find a cave that I had visited as a youngster near Ecclefechan and Southern Scotland`s answer to the Italian Chapel on Lamb Holm in the Orkneys,the Ukranian Chapel near Lockerbie......

Learn a wee bit about this hidden gem here.....

Ukranian Chapel


....or,the sunkissed delights of the Solway Coast.As Bob had indulged my Marilyn and trig point obsession it was the Solway wot won it.True to form the sun came out as we drove round.We hadn`t been to Rockcliffe for 15 years or thereabouts and had forgotten how nice it was.Parked in the car park at the start of the village and followed the road round to the beach....



There were a couple of nice looking wee hills along the coastal path to Kippford so we headed off along the well made National trust path until we spotted an offshoot heading towards Muckle Hill. (Named Mark Hill on the OS map) A cracking wee hill this is....loads of birdlife as well.
On the way up....



Bob on the rocky summit...



Looking over Rough Firth....



Made a detour to the Mote of Mark on the way back too....

Mote of Mark



The distance covered wasn`t very much at all ,a couple of miles and maybe 500ft or so all in but it took us a few hours due to the stunning scenery on display.Can thoroughly recommend this area for a laid back day out.Some nice gardens in the village too.Gazebo with a view over the Solway....



I even managed to drag myself up Castle Hill on the outskirts of Dumfries on the way home to bag another trig point....Bob sat in the car and read a paper...he`s got more sense :)