Barhobble via Corwall, Culshabbin and Airylick

Tony Brotherton

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This moor and seashore walk in the Machars of Wigtownshire visits the early church site of Barhobble and has some superlative views throughout. Much of the route is along good firm paths and tracks, but a final stretch of over a mile along the stony foreshore of Luce Bay, involving some fairly rough walking, means this walk must be graded as moderate-plus.

Start from the parking area on the A747 near Chapel Finian. The grassy path quickly rises to reveal far-reaching views over Luce Bay and open uplands. Once through the isolated farmyard at Corwall, the route takes a good farm track over moorland and alongside dry-stone walls, to emerge onto the B7005. After a short stint we reach the former schoolhouse at Culshabbin and turn off along another track, which gently descends to the farmhouse at Airylick. Here one may spot the famous Galloway 'belties'. Nearby we might glimpse Elrig House, subject of the book 'The House of Elrig' by local author Gavin Maxwell, before reaching Barhobble's ruins. It is an ancient religious site where recent excavations have revealed at least five periods of usage between 700 and 1300AD.

The route continues on a gradual descent to reach the A747 by Changue Cottage South. We now cross to Luce Bay and pick our way for well over a mile along the foreshore and so back to our car.

Information for Dog Owners: subject always to the normal precautions to be observed by dog-owners when walking in sheep country, this walk is considered suitable for biddable dogs.

Scotland - South Scotland - Dumfries and Galloway - Moors

Features

Ancient Monument, Birds, Butterflies, Church, Flowers, Industrial Archaeology, Lake/Loch, Moor, Sea, Wildlife
6/13/2008 - Tony Brotherton

My observations are that this walk does exactly as is described on the tin! The walk has become an annual fixture with fellow-members of Wigtown Talks and Walks, many of whom are even older than I! They are able to tackle the 'very rough' foreshore, which incidentally is covered in colourful flowering plants - including the rare oyster plant.

6/9/2008 - george fleming

Very pleasant walk and the scenery is spectacular. The route at the end along the main road is nearer two miles and I would not recommend walking along the shore. It is very rough.