River Esk Walk and a Nasty Fall

Only Tom and me today as everybody else is busy so it was a bus journey to Hollows on the posh Borders Bus and a walk along the Esk to Langholm. Just 5 minutes before I took this photo of the Coll at Hollows Mill I had a very nasty fall as the stone steps down to the riverside were quite slippy after the rain and my feet just shot from underneath me. Luckily I have a lot of padding on my bum so no real damage done I hope, but I am now very sore and my left hand is badly bruised as I tried to save myself. There is a lot more water in the Esk than there was a week ago. 

Gilnockie Tower with scaffolding going up for yet another repair job. 

This section of the walk is almost impassable when the Esk is in flood and we had a few scary moments. Langholm Walks now have permission from Buccleuch Estates to provide a way marked walk between Canonbie and Langholm but several stretches will have to be avoided on instructions from Buccleuch Estates. 

One slip and you would be in the river 

Tom making his way with great care

Near Irving House we came to this barrier so we made our way past it for a few yards to find the path has slipped into the Esk and therefore this section is now impossible and I doubt if it will be repaired. It certainly wont be included in the new walk

A good view of the River Esk from the old A7 road.

River Esk Walk the Nicest Walk in the Valley

After the excitement of 10 of us walking at Gala last week it was back to a local walk and my favourite but only Niall, Tom, and myself available. Peter and Elizabeth are enjoying glorious weather in the Inner Hebrides and John and Sandria are in Crete. It could be that Peter and Elizabeth are having the better weather. The walk along the river Esk from Canonbie to Langholm is glorious and on a lovely day like yesterday it must be one of the nicest walks in Scotland with loads of wild life to be seen.  

I just love these logs stored in a perfect way 

We hope to re apply to Buccleuch Estates for this walk to be included in our Langholm Walks portfolio after we were turned down by them a good few years ago and hopefully they will change their mind this time. If we get the go ahead I have been promised a seat will be placed here at Hollows overlooking this superb view.

The views of the Esk are spectacular and most of the walk is along the fishers footpaths. This is the new Archimedes Screw powering Hollows Mill.

Lovely Cherry blossom at Hollows Mill

The Mill stream at Hollows Mill for the new power turbine.

I hope nobody was on this ladder when the banking slipped into the river

The following few photographs are of the stretch up to Gilnockie Tower

And the actual tower which is hardly ever visited and wasted as an Armstrong Clan visitor attraction as much more could be done with it if the 2 branches of the Armstrong Clan worked together instead of always being at loggerheads.

We were back onto the old road for a short stretch of the walk and this is the old Hagg on Esk School which has been a private house for as long as I can remember.

The next stretch of the river Esk walk to Irvine House is spectacular and should not be walked if the river is in flood.

The rapids just before Irvine House

The river Tarras joins the Esk and it looks such an inconspicuous river but in fact it is one of the nicest river valleys in Scotland and a hidden gem for wild life 

Irvine House which has been empty for many years but has just been sold by Buccleuch Estates. Let's hope it is soon occupied and maybe will become a small hotel or Sporting Lodge which would be a great asset to the area. 

A Walk round Canonbie

After our wet Umbrella Walk to Broomholmshiels and the Laverock Bird Hide last week we were back to a nice day for walking today. Because of time restraints it had to be a short morning walk so we headed for Canonbie to do a 5 mile road walk round the village. We headed towards Rowanburn and then turned left at the top of The Cut where John's grandmother was brought up. This is the view from this road towards Whita Hill.

Gilnockie School and now a private residence

Gilnockie Hall which is still used now and again for social events

Gilnockie Station and now the home of Kirsteen Davies

On the road down from Gilnockie to Hollows there is a new plantation of trees. Tom insisted that we inspect them so that we can come back in 30 years time to take another photograph to see how they have developed. When Tom gets an idea in his head we have to humour him but I don't think we will be back in 30 years time.  

Tom inspects the trees. 

At Hollows Mill the Archimedes Screw is now in operation providing power to the mill and in times of surplus to the National Grid. This photograph is taken from Hollows Bridge.

Todays walkers

At the Hollows Bridge we met Arthur Irving who was doing his bit for the community in keeping the bridge tidy. He does the same at Canonbie Bridge on a regular basis.  

Back on the high road from Hollows to Canonbie we passed the old Free Kirk which has now been converted into 2 flats with each of them on the market at £500,000. I have a feeling they will never sell at that price but time will tell. 

When I got up this morning this was the red sky at sunrise which usually is a sign of bad weather but maybe that is for tomorrow as today has been excellent

From the new plantation we inspected this is the view towards Brockwoodlees and it is rather nice but once the trees grow up it will disappear.