The Clints of Dromore

Tony Brotherton

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'No one was here when lands crashed together,
no one to witness volcanic flames erupt
in fevered dance, nor see in hot lava tears,
this landscape's beginnings'.

The Clints of Dromore are a line of rocky ramparts, outliers of Cairnsmore of Fleet, the mountain to their west. Rising no higher than 1,000ft., The Clints still present a fair challenge. After easy ascent through forestry, your route crosses pathless moorland. The line of the clints lies initially to your left, but will soon need to be crossed. Care should be taken whilst clambering over and through the clints and during your descent at some point determined by you. You will see below the Big Water of Fleet railway viaduct and this will serve as a point of reference whilst descending to the wall and stile and access to the track leading back to the road.

The problem with taking part in a walking festival is that one signs up for walks in advance and the walk takes place on the advertised day, irrespective of weather! Conditions on this route, part of the 2009 Newton Stewart Walking Festival (www.newtonstewartwalkfest.com) were very far from ideal, staying wet and dismal throughout. The cover photograph of the Clints of Dromore was taken the day before the walk and shows how the weather could and should and normally would be for you; do choose a nice clear day to tackle this route!

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 - Countryside