duncanrigramblers

Our next outing is on Sunday, 11th October 2026.

Our walks this week are both within the Durisdeer area.

Comfort Stop: Abington Services

Social Stop: Thornhill

Booking on is by email or text to Ronnie Taylor at 07773028647 and ronnietaylor1956@icloud.com or via the website link

The Walk Book on : Enter your name, email address and contact telephone number and Click the Submit button. Later you will receive a tect from Ronnie Taylor confirming your booking on the bus.

Unfortunately we are unable to offer an Extended walk on this outing due to a lack of a Walk Leader.

The Club Walk: Durisdeer to Carronbridge

Dist: 8.5 miles  Asc: 721 ft Desc: 1085 ft Grade C+

Leader: Mike Carroll

Proposed Stroller walks:

If there are available spaces on the bus, then the committee would be prepared to offer a couple of shorter stroller walk options depending on the level of interest shown for either option.

To book on please contact Ronnie Taylor on 07773028647 or ronnietaylor1956@icloud.com or drop down menu “walk book on”

If you have any questions regarding the walks or require more information, please contact Mark Bannerman our Route Co-ordinator on marban_007@outlook.com

Adequate food, hot and cold drinks, clothing and equipment are essential for your comfort and safety on both walks. Walking poles and gaiters are also recommended.

Our coach leaves the John Wright’s Sports Centre car park at 8.30am sharp and returns around 6.30pm

Booking on coach: Ronnie Taylor, 07773028647 / ronnietaylor1956@icloud.com to book a place on the coach or to add your email address to the mailing list or for any further information.

Thank you for your continuing support!

Our next outing is on Sunday, 11th October 2026.

Our walks this week are both within the Durisdeer area.

Comfort Stop: Abington Services

Social Stop: Thornhill

Booking on is by email or text to Ronnie Taylor at 07773028647 and ronnietaylor1956@icloud.com or via

“walk book on”

Unfortunately we are unable to offer an Extended walk on this outing due to a lack of a Walk Leader.

The Club Walk: Durisdeer to Carronbridge

Dist: 8.5 miles  Asc: 721 ft Desc: 1085 ft Walk Time: Grade C+

Leader: Mike Carroll

Mike describes the walk as follows.

The walk will commence in the historic village of Durisdeer. It is situated on a Roman road that connected Hadrian and Antonine Walls. Later this road became the Well (or Wald) Path, a route for pilgrims making their way to St Ninian’s in Whithorn, reputed to be the first Christian church in Scotland. James IV made a pilgrimage to Whithorn along this route in 1497. The church, now closed, was built between 1695 and 1720 and it contains the renowned Queensberry Marbles.

We leave Durisdeer at the cemetery with the first two miles being a gradual ascent up Glentaggart passing Kettleton Byre Bothy and Blackhill Moss Cottages. This section of the walk will provide us with fabulous views of open countryside with the Lowther Hills dissected by steep ravines (or cleuchs). The high point of the ascent will be reached as we approach Parr Hill. As we go around the western slopes of Parr Hill we will view Kettleton Reservoir, built in 1939 to supply water to settlements in Dumfries and Galloway. The next two miles is a gradual descent to the reservoir’s dam with Bellybought Hill on our left. Morton Mains Hill can be seen on the far side of the reservoir to our right. This hill contains evidence of a prehistoric settlement on its summit. We will have our lunch stop on completing the descent. The rest of the day is much less strenuous.

After lunch we will be on tarmac, passing Burn Farmstead, for just over a mile until we reach the edge of Morton Wood. We will then follow a forest track for one mile along the edge of the wood until we reach Morton Castle and Loch. There may be some puddles to negotiate along the track. There has been a castle on this site since 1280 owned by the Earls of Morton. The 4th Earl, James Douglas, was beheaded in 1581 for his involvement in the murders of David Rizzio and Henry Darnley, the husband of Mary Queen of Scots. We will have a brief stop here while we revert to a photography club. You can enter the castle via a secure staircase with a handrail. On leaving Morton Castle we will follow the forest track through Morton Wood for just over 1.5 miles. The wood dates back to the 13thcentury having been planted as a deer park by Thomas Randolph following a gift of the land by Robert the Bruce. On the day of the recce there were some pools of water and mud on the track; however, these were easily avoided. We will skirt around King’s Quarry which provided the sandstone for Drumlanrig Castle. The wood opens out in a couple of places, one of which provided a great view of Thornhill. Beware of the bench at this viewpoint – it topples backwards.

On leaving Morton Wood we will be back on tarmac, downhill on a single-track road into Carronbridge. The bus is likely to be parked in the community hall car park on the northern edge of the village so it will be one mile from leaving the wood to the bus

Proposed Stroller walks:

If there are available spaces on the bus, then the committee would be prepared to offer  shorter stroller walk options within the grounds of Drumlanrig Castle, depending on the level of interest shown for this option.

Please remember to come prepared for all types of weather and with adequate food and water. Gaiters and poles may be useful.

Our coach leaves the John Wright’s Sports Centre car park at 8:30am sharp and returns around 7:00pm.

The cost of the outing is £20 for members & £22 for visitors and can be paid by bank transfer to Duncanrig Rambling Club once your place is confirmed or by cash on the coach, with the correct amount being appreciated. Members are encouraged to book on by Wednesday midnight. However, late bookings are most welcome. Places will be confirmed for visitors from Thursday morning.