Bentpath to Langholm with Tom

It was a lovely morning for our 6.5 mile walk from Bentpath to Langholm and we had hardly gone more than a few hundred yards before I spotted this Fungi on a tree stump.

The road through Westerhall Estate is such a lovely walk.

At Staplegordon near Potholm we had to cross a burn and I had hoped Tom would fall in to give me a spectacular photograph but he was as uncooperative as ever and stayed dry. We completed our walk in 2.5 hours and enjoyed an nice lunch in The Buccleuch Centre afterwards.

 

Westerhall and the Rig Valley and Dam

Due to a computer problem these photographs have not loaded in the order I took them but they represent a lovely walk through Westerhall Estate and up the Rig Valley. This is an amazing hidden valley that few people will even realise is there and its like an Oasis in the middle of the Border Hills. This was the first time for a month that Tom was back walking with me. Its great to have him back fit and well and we only had about 2 arguments during our walk.

Depending on the how the light caught the view it can change the effect of the photograph and in this light the valley is very brown due to just a hint of sunshine peeking through the clouds. 

Just up from Westerhall Farm where the Rig Burn enters the river Esk is a Hydro Dam

This is the small lake caused by the Dam

On the Westerhall Estate road the autumn colours are at their best

At every season this is a lovely road to walk and the autumn is spectacular matched only by the spring Azaleas and the winter Snowdrops. It is without doubt my favourite walk and long may it continue to be such a well managed estate.

Even the pine needles on the road add a colourful magic to the road.

Westerkirk Church always looks so splendid standing in such an unspoilt village

A Bluebell Day on a Walk through Westerhall

Once a year we walk through Westerhall Estate just to see the flowers on display. Usually its the Azaleas on display but today it was Bluebells in their splendour. David and Bowman and Ruger had started at Burnfoot and we met them near Westerhall and they walked with us back to Burnfoot as Bowman is getting older and cannot manage the 6.5 miles all the way to Langholm. 

From then on it was nothing but Bluebells with the next 3 photos taken nearer Langholm between Potholm and North Lodge.

The photograph doesn't do it justice as it is much better to just be there.

I reckon another week and then they will start to fade. We finished our walk at The Buccleuch Centre with one of their usual excellent lunches. 

Walking from Bentpath to Langholm through Westerhall

We always walk through Westerhall at this time of the year to see the Azaleas. They are a wee bit late this year so not at their best yet but by the end of May they should be stunning. Starting at Bentpath we noticed this new seat in memory of two locals from the village.

Just as we pass the cemetery we noticed this wall has collapsed so will need some urgent repairs done to it.  

We met Roddy Innes working in the cemetery on behalf of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. He is paid by them to regularly tidy the paths to various War Graves throughout the area. There is only one War Grave at Bentpath but he has to keep the path tidy and the area round the grave. He obliged by taking a photograph of the four of us. 

This is the War Grave he has to keep tidy. It is a Royal Marine Commando killed in 1943 when he stepped on a mine

Rhododendrons near the big house

The regular pose in front of Westerhall

And the Folly looking up from where we stood for our photo

On the second half of the walk we are in more open country looking towards the Gates of Eden and Craigcleuch

A beautiful Rhododendron at Tom Scott's house at Potholm

Bluebells beginning to appear but not yet at their best

Pens for Breeding Pheasants at The North Lodge. We finished our walk with lunch in the Buccleuch Centre