A Walk at Carlaeverlock Nature Reserve and Ward Law Hill Fort

Normally I don't put my Thursday walk on my Blog but today my walk with Mike took us to Caerlaverock Nature Reserve and Ward Law Hill Fort so worth recording on this and also on my Facebook page. The light was not great for photography but it stayed dry and it was a most enjoyable 6 mile walk. This is Ward Law hill and the sight of an ancient Hill Fort and also a Roman Camp. The hill is 96M above sea level. 

The track back down from Ward Law

This is the route along the shore, but quite a bit away from the sea.

The Solway with Criffel in the back ground and the Nith estuary

There were loads of Geese about and many flying over us during our walk.

Plenty of Bullrushes as well.

 They say there isn't a month without Gorse flowering in Scotland and this bush was spectacular for its coconut smelling flowers.

Our route took us past the old Caerlaverock Castle and also the newer one. This is the site of the old one which would originally be next to the sea and was built in 1220 and abandoned in 1270 when the new castle was built.

This is the moat of the new castle which was abandoned after a siege in 1640 and left in ruins.

Caerlaverock Castle with its unique triangular plan.

Part of the moat still with water in it. 

Autumn Watch at Caerlaverock

Last week the weather was so wet we only were able to have an Umbrella Walk round Potholm and no photographs were taken as it was so wet. Today the weather was dull but dry as we headed for Caerlaverock Reserve for a 6 mile walk along the shore and past the Castle. The BBC are filming Autumn Watch from here so it is very busy and the car park was almost full by the the time we arrived at 10.30am. These are all the outside broadcast units but as it was so busy we did not venture into the reserve prior to our walk and we decided to lunch at the castle as the cafe here was too busy.

The lane taking us to the shore and the Merse. 

There is very little colour in the hedgerows at this time of year but this Gorse bush was an oasis of colour in the hedge. 

Caerlaverock Castle where we had an excellent lunch.

Barnacle Geese in one of the many fields. We are told there are 41,000 of them wintering here this year.