Section H: Through-routes to/from Wanlockhead.


Route One.
ENTERKINFOOT ---> ROAD (unclassified) HEADING SE, then EASTWARDS TO CROSSROADS (MUIRYHILL) AT GRID REF. NS875035. TURN LEFT and PROCEED NORTH ---> TRACK, then F.P. UP EAST SIDE OF ENTERKIN VALLEY ---> JOIN TRACK AT GRID REF. NS877075 ---> FOLLOW TRACK TO FORD AT GRID REF. NS878078 ---> THIRSTANE BANK ---> THIRSTANE HILL ---> EAST MOUNT LOWTHER ---> F.P.,then N.A.T.S.ROAD TO GRID REF. NS883115 ---> STAKE HILL ---> WANLOCKHEAD.

Route Two.
WANLOCKHEAD ---> WANLOCK DOD ---> SUMMIT (un-named) AT GRID REF. NS 877156 ---> TRACK TO GRID REF. NS879168 ---> VIA NNE FLANK OF RAKE LAW TO GLENDORCH ---> TRACK TO SNAR FARM ---> TO B740 ROAD AT GRID REF. NS865223 ---> CRAWFORDJOHN ---> ROAD LEADING EAST TO CRAWFORD- JOHN MILL FARM, then PROCEED OVER BRIDGE (Duneaton Water) and GO TO GRID REF. NS912232 ---> VIA NW FLANK OF FAGYAD HILL TO CRAIGHEAD HILL ---> ABINGTON.

Route Three.
WANLOCKHEAD ---> S.U.WAY VIA STAKE MOSS, LOWTHER HILL, COLD MOSS, COMB HEAD and LAGHT HILL TO OVERFINGLAND ---> CONTINUE ALONG S.U. WAY TO FOREST TRACK AT GRID REF. NS943104, then TURN LEFT ---> TRACK THROUGH WATERMEETINGS FOREST TO WATERMEETINGS FARM ---> JOIN A702 ROAD and PROCEED TO ELVANFOOT.

Route Four.
WANLOCKHEAD ---> S.U.WAY (as in Route Three) TO OVERFINGLAND ---> CONTINUE ALONG S.U.WAY VIA WATERMEETINGS FOREST, SWEETSHAW BRAE, HODS HILL and BELD KNOWE TO GRID REF. NT019071 ---> FOREST TRACK DOWN CLOFFIN BURN GLEN TO GRID REF. NT037062, then TAKE RIGHT FORK ---> PROCEED TO GRID REF. NT049056, then TURN LEFT ---> FOLLOW TRACK TO RAILWAY BRIDGE AT GRID REF. NT066044 ---> CROSS MOTORWAY (carefully!) ---> COATS HILL ---> MOFFAT.

Route Five.
WANLOCKHEAD ---> BLACK HILL ---> GREEN HILL ---> STOOD HILL ---> SHIELING RIG ---> GLENGABER HILL ---> S.U.WAY VIA COGSHEAD and COUPLAND KNOWE TO BOGG ---> FOLLOW ROADS (unclassified) VIA HEUKSLAND TO CRAWICK ---> BLACKADDIE BRIDGE ---> SANQUHAR.

Caution. If you are planning to walk Route Two and intend using O.S.Landranger Map No.71: Lanark and Upper Nithsdale Area, you can be forgiven for expecting to find a footpath (however faint) linking the end of the track at Grid Ref. NS879168 with Glendorch, this being clearly indicated on the map. In fact, you will encounter a choice of quad-bike trails which tend to peter out after a few hundred yards at the most. I could find no evidence of any path, much to my annoyance and discomfort. The NNE flank of Rake Law is a veritable midden of the coarsest tussock grass I have ever experienced in Southern Scotland. Although passable, progress proved to be very exhausting. Proceed slowly and test each foot-hold: it would be all too easy to sprain an ankle...

Near the end of Route Four, you will need to decide whether it would be prudent to tempt fate by crossing the motorway, especially in view of recent construction work. It may be advisable to aim for Beattock and join the Southern Upland Way, then take the road to Moffat from Grid Ref. NT093029.


Copyright 23rd August 1999 and 19th September 1999:
RICHARD M. STANBROOK,
"Howden,"
18 Drove Road,
Langholm, Dumfriesshire DG13 OJW.