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2011 Archive Stories and pics from |
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2011 Archive Stories and pics from |
June Day Trip to the Glencoe area
As I arrived at Cathcart, Diane and John followed me in. Shortly after, Martin and Sarah and then Miriam arrived. Gordon was not far behind and finally Willie arrived. Having a brief discussion about proposed routes, we sorted out the cars and set off to the Green Welly.
Once there, we met up with Deborah and Susan, James and Kenny, Hamish, Cornel, Gilbert and Elena, and Steve and Heidi. After various food and drink, I confirmed all of the routes that were planned and some minor shuffling of passengers was arranged.
Cornel, Hamish, Gilbert, Elena, Steve and Heidi were going to the Ski Centre car park to climb Creise and Meall a’ Bhuiridh. James and Kenny were heading to Glen Etive to climb Beinn Maol Chaluim. Miriam would accompany Sarah and Martin on their first Munro up Buachaille Etive Mor. Willie, John, Deborah and Susan were going to the King’s House to walk to the Black Corries Lodge. Gordon was heading through Glencoe to climb Meall Mor and Sgorr a’ Choise. Diane and I were heading for Buachaille Etive Beag.
Although some hills had cloud covering the summits when we set out, this soon lifted and we had an excellent day for climbing. Not too hot and on the summits we got excellent views, able to see several of the hills that the other groups were climbing.
Once back at the car, we were soon changed and headed to the King’s House. Miriam, Sarah and Martin were there as was John, Susan and Deborah (Willie had decided to climb Meall nan Ruadhag) .. Gordon was at the bar having just arrived as well. Before long, James and Kenny arrived as well as Willie. After some drinks and food, we started to leave for home.
However, I took the detour into the ski centre car park and arrived as the other six were getting back to their cars. As everyone was safely off the hills, I set off back to Cathcart to drop off Diane and John.
It was a good turn out and everyone enjoyed their climbs. It has been some time since we had an outing when someone completed their first Munro .. I hope it isn’t the last.
Bob MacDonald
June Weekend to Hadrian's Wall
11 of us made the journey from Glasgow to various accommodations around Haltwhistle in Northumberland, with James, Alistair, Diane and John staying at the bunkhouse at Hadrian’s Wall campsite, and Ian and Iris in their motorhome. Steven, Hillary and Elena were staying at Saughy Rigg Farm B&B, and Heidi, who was also due to come along but unfortunately had had a very sad bereavement in the family. Myself with husband Andy and dog stayed at Aid White Craig Farm self catering cottage.
We all met up at the Milecastle Inn on Friday evening .. located about 400yds from Hadrian’s Wall .. for some delicious food and to discuss the plan for Saturday. It was decided to follow my proposed route along the wall taking in the most scenic as well as some of the best preserved parts of the Wall from just before Sewingshields Farm to the Milecastle Inn .. about 9 miles. It was decided that we would all catch the AD122 bus that conveniently travels along the old military road on the route of the Wall, stopping when prompted to drop off and pick up walkers.
Saturday arrived, with light drizzle and grey skies, which unfortunately never really let up the entire day .. what happened to the summer!!? Myself, Steven, Hillary and Elena picked up the AD122 bus outside the Milecastle Inn, with Ian, Iris, James, Alistair, Diane and John walking a short distance from the campsite to get the same bus. The bus stopped at two of the Roman settlements on route .. Vindolanda Fort and Museum, and Housesteads Fort and Museum, which we would see again on our walk later that morning.
We started our walk on the Hadrian’s Wall path that runs alongside the old Military road and is the closet the Wall gets to this particular road on our route. The route throughout the whole day was very well marked with signs and a clear way of walking. The walk went past various Milecastles (see below) with each one having interesting information boards explaining about their usage. As the walk progressed we climbed to the higher points of the Wall, which afforded great views over the Northumberland landscape and throughout most of our walk, the Wall was just beside us. After about 1½hrs of walking we reached Housesteads once again, and this time from the Wall we could see the foundations laid out of the old Roman Fort. At this part of the route, we were allowed to walk on the Wall (the only time this is allowed) and Ian, Elena, John and myself took advantage of this to walk along the Wall for a short time.
The walk progressed and we came to an interesting tree .. a lone sycamore .. right beside the Wall, which was made famous by appearing in the film Robin Hood “Prince of Thieves”, alongside Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman, and some of us took advantage to take pictures of this famous landmark. After about 3½hrs, we decided to take a small detour and head to a local pub called "Twice Brewed" located in small hamlet called "Once Brewed" for a lunch break before we tackled the highest point of wall standing at 345 metres. We enjoyed a lovely lunch at the pub and all quickly decided we would have dinner at this pub later that day.
As we started the last part of our walk, Andy, who had chosen to keep the dog company rather then walk with us, passed in the car and Hillary took advantage of this to end her walking for the day, and go and have a look around the gift shop at Housesteads. So nine of us continued back up to Hadrian’s Wall path and the highest point of the walk .. by now we were only a mile or two from our respective accommodations, and shortly after reaching the highest point of the walk, the people staying at the campsite followed a track off the hills and down to the campsite, with myself, Steven and Elena continuing along the path until we reached Caw Gap, where we would then walk to the Milecastle Inn. Lucky for us, just as we reached Caw Gap, my husband, who was running Hillary back to her B&B pulled up, and we were able to give Steven a lift back to the Milecastle Inn, while Hillary and Elena started to walk to their B&B.
On Saturday night, we all once again enjoyed a delicious meal at the Twice Brewed pub .. it's called Twice Brewed because it is said that on the eve of the Battle of Hexham in 1464, Yorkist foot soldiers demanded their beer be brewed again because it lacked its usual fighting strength. The ploy worked .. the opposing Duke of Somerset’s Lancastrian army fled after an early morning raid.
Sunday saw Hillary and Stephen going straight home, while Elena who had also walked along part of the wall on Friday went to visit Housesteads roman fort. Diane, John, James Alistair, Ian and Iris, took advantage in a brighter morning, and once again got the AD122 bus, this time to Birdoswald (another Roman Fort) and walked back to the campsite along the Wall. Andy and I also went to Birdoswald but walked towards Walton where we got caught out by the weather and got soaked. Ian, Iris, Andy and I all stayed a extra night, with Ian and Iris going to visit Vindolanda Fort and Museum before taking the long road home on the Monday.
In all I think everyone enjoyed walking Hadrian’s Wall. The history around the Wall was very interesting the path was challenging in its way, with plenty of undulation, which give us great views, even on a dull day. The AD122 bus was excellent to get you to and from the wall.
The travel time to this area was just over 2 hours from Glasgow .. I know that I will be returning to this area to continue to walk along the wall.
Definition of a Milecastle
A milecastle was a small rectangular fortification (fortlet) built during the period of the Roman Empire. They were placed at intervals of approximately one Roman mile along several major frontiers .. for example Hadrian's Wall.
Debbie Gallacher
