Cairnsmore of Carsphairn, 11th October 2026
In January, I made a start on some of the Corbetts in the South of Scotland, and I've realised how easy they are to get to. I had a day of decent weather on Sunday and evening plans, so I drove down to Carsphairn and eventually found the parking spot, across the main road from where I expected. There were no other cars, and it was still quite early, so I got in no bother.
I got ready and started on the track at 0950. Very quickly, I found the Green Well of Scotland which I thought would be quite impressive, but then I can't see into it I suppose! I wonder how deep it goes.
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| The Green Well of Scotland |
I followed the track up the hill a bit to a gate, which I crossed, then I had a bit of a slog up through new forest and steep slopes to get to the top of Willieanna, at 430m. There I met the wall that runs along the spine of most of the hill and picked up a decent path.
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| Views across to the Rhinns of Kells |
Views back across to the Rhins of Kells were lovely and it wasn't too cold in the light breeze. I could see all the way out to the Solway Firth, shining in the sun.
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| Out to the Solway |
I had to drop some height to then regain it up onto the steep slopes of Dunool, where a boggy mess was made boggier by the presence of some hardy cattle, happily living at 550m.
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| Drop and regain |
I followed the wall again, then on Black Shoulder, the path diverts, and you're on the top of Cairnsmore of Carsphairn in fairly short order. I was on the summit at 1110, so only 1h20 to the top.
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| Summit cairn |
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| Trig point views |
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| Summit selfie |
It was lovely in the sunshine, but I didn't hang about for too long. Descent was easy enough, follow yet another wall south-west and tread some bogs, then you hit the land rover track, which takes you directly out. Plus it's all downhill.
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| Met this lovely horse |
I was back at the car at midday pretty much bang on.
Afterwards, I headed to Dalmellington, hoping for an open cafe for a bowl of soup but I was only met with a Coop meal deal.
In the evening, Jim, Shig and I were meeting Anna and Christian who we'd met 10 years ago for a reunion dinner at the Oak Tree Inn at Balmaha. Shig and I went for a dip in the loch beforehand. It was a beautiful night and just a lovely experience.
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| Dip in Loch Lomond |
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| Dinner |
I discovered the joys of a Cullen Skink pie, which I hope wasn't a dream.
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