Around Gatehouse of Fleet
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Gatehouse of Fleet is one of the most attractive of Galloway's little towns and is set amidst lovely countryside. This walk divides easily into two parts, one a fairly energetic five-miler out to the clachan of Anwoth, with some uphill sections and with three optional short diversions of some ten minutes each, enabling visits to Venniehill Nature Reserve, Rutherford's Monument and Trusty's Hill, with its Pictish carvings unique in Galloway. There is also a two-mile 'flat and easy' lap around the town.
Two centuries ago Gatehouse was a centre of the cotton industry, with double the population it has today. Reputedly Robert Burns wrote 'Scots Wha Hae' in the Murray Arms in the town. 'The Gatehoose' is well-served for refreshments and food with pubs, hotels, cafes and the Mill on the Fleet, which serves as cafe, museum and giftshop combined and nowadays houses the tourist information office too. There are several interesting shops up and down the pretty High Street and the swanky Cally Palace Hotel and Cally Gardens are close by. To the south an optional extension leads by wooded riverside path to Cardoness Castle, in the care of Scottish Heritage and complete with well-authenticated ghosts!
The five-mile section is covered by Waymarks 1 to 20. To walk the two-mile section only, follow Waymarks 20 to 29 inclusive. Waymarks 30 and 31 lead on via Port McAdam to Cardoness Castle.
The Gatehouse webcam:
http//:www.gatehousewebcam.co.uk/webcam.htm
For local weather forecasts and other information and services go to www.gallowaymrt.org.uk for Galloway Mountain Rescue's excellent website.
Scotland - South Scotland - Dumfries and Galloway - Countryside
Features
Ancient Monument, Birds, Butterflies, Cafe, Church, Flowers, Good for Kids, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Industrial Archaeology, Moor, National Trust, Restaurant, River, Tea Shop, Wildlife, Woodland