The Durham Cow's Southern Upland Way - Day One
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.ย. 2024
- In June/July of 2022, at the age of 60 (which somehow seemed to matter), I walked the first half of Scotland's 214-mile Southern Upland Way (SUW) together with my wife, Diane. The SUW was the first coast-to-coast long distance trail in the UK, opened in 1984 and links Portpatrick in Wigtownshire on the North Channel of the Irish Sea with Cockburnspath in the Scottish Borders on the North Sea coast. Although it's close to Glasgow and Edinburgh, as well as the border with England, it is surprisingly remote.
Because of time constraints and not wanting to feel rushed, we decided to divide it into two parts, walking from Portpatrick to Moffat (more or less in the middle) over nine days (eight nights) in June/July and from Moffat to Cockburnspath over seven days and six nights in September. We'd be wild camping as well as using huts known as 'bothies' (accessible to anyone) of which there are five on the SUW. We'd also be using paid accommodation when appropriate.
This video is our account of the first section of the first half from Portpatrick to Stranraer on the 26th June 2022. Hopefully, it will help you get a decent overview of the section should you want to walk the Southern Upland Way or if you want a circular walk from Stranraer, using the bus to get you to Portpatrick.
P.S. The weather on the day was stormy, with high winds and driving rain at times which means we weren't inclined to hang around in Portpatrick. Consequently I returned a couple of weeks later with my bike in much better conditions to see what we missed out on. You can watch the video of my cycle tour by using the link below.
The Durham Cow's Wigtownshire Bike Ride: • The Durham Cow's Wigto...
Keywords: #southern upland way, #suw, #scotland, #walking, #hiking, #long distance trail, #wild camping, #bothy, #bothies, #portpatrick, #stranraer, #rhins of galloway, #wigtownshire, #dumfries and galloway
Thanks
Excellent
Thank you! Cheers!
Loved this video - being VERY close to the SUW you have inspired me to get planning!
You're perfectly placed for doing it in two halves like we did. It struck me later that Diane and I walked down the road from Wanlockhead to Thornhill, to the pub for dinner when we were competing with music festival-goers (I think I might have shown it briefly in the video). Thanks again for your considerate attention last Monday. It made a big impression! Scott
Thanks for your videos of the SUW. Brought back lots of memories when i completed the SUW such a lovely peaceful hike .I loved it that much i hiked it 3 times .Out of those 3 hikes i met only 1 couple actually hiking it .At the time it wasn't well known .I stayed at nearly all the bothies .Even Mich moor bothy which alas had to be pulled down because of vandals it was lovely pure log type cabin .So it's a delight to watch your videos .
Makes me want to get out and hike it again .
Thanks
Thanks William, reading other people's experiences makes me feel that making the videos was such a worthwhile thing to do. 'Bothy Use & Etiquette' seems to be developing into a major theme: although the SUW feels remote and certainly is, in places, it's too handily placed to major towns and cities for its own good - with the most notorious bothies offering good access for vehicles. There's a big difference between needing to rely on one for shelter and using it for 'a night out'; I'm not sure that I could take a space overnight if I didn't need it. Sadly, I can't see that it's going to get any better. Appreciate your taking the time to comment. All the best, Scott.
Thanks for your reply Scott.Yes sadly the bothies are being abused .Over phawhope bothy now is a disgrace.There was at one time a bar going straight across the path stopping vehicles leading down to the bothy which was lockable.But sadly no one put a lock on it to stop the party goers getting down there in their cars .Minch Moor bothy was lovely just like a Canadian log cabin which i slept in along with the mouse in residence.But sadly yobs started using it for drugs and booze ups so they took it down .
I thought Brattleburn bothy was closed due to asbestos or something .Glad its open though .
Finally you weren't alone with the weather and the like we got soaked many a day .
And my wife finished the walk in sandles and seal skin socks from Moffat due to blisters .
But . we loved it all .Still very hard going on the feet though .
So thanks for your videos if you plan on doing the SUW again let me know i might come along with you .
Regards
Billy
I don't think I'm finished with the SUW Billy, it's too close to us to say never again, in fact we went back to look for the waymerk between Sanquhar and Wanlockhead (and still failed - expensive waymerk that!). There are couple more videos to put up about that carry on which I'll try to do before it all kicks off again this year. I think we might try the West HIghland Way this year but it'll depend on whether we commit to investing in a new tent. Incidentally, when did you do the SUW?
Thanks for your reply Scott. I'd be tempted to do the SUW again If I lived closer. Such a lovely walk but hard at times .
I completed the 3 SUW From 2001 last one in 2008 .
I've completed nearly all the long distance walks like West Highland way.Pennine Way Coast to Coast Cleveland way etc. But the most peaceful and one where you hardly meet up with other hikers is The SUW .And its the one i liked most .The West Highland way is lovely Some beautiful scenery especially Glen Coe. But now its jam packed with lots of hikers from all over the world.But you would still love the hike .And i hope you sort out a tent . Wasn't the tent you used no good ?
Billy
Sorry about the delay in replying and thanks for the advice on the WHW; I realise we'll have to accept having less of the trail to ourselves after the SUW. The tent is a Nordisk Telemark UL2 which I bought a few years ago to compete in mountain marathons. It was quite expensive and has been excellent for the reasons it was purchased - two day racing with a single overnight stop. However it's not practical for extended, recreational camping with the missus (there's just not enough room, head clearance or porch-space). It's a great one-man tent even though it's designed for two. Take care.