Ferintosh & the Reiver Trail...

[Deil the Yin]

In the current issue of SCOTS magazine (#34) there is a very interesting article about the border reiving families of Dumfries and Galloway and a new "Reiver Trail" established in part by Fiona Armstrong and Clan Armstrong (among others I'm sure) for touring significant historical sites to these clans/families. Having had a wee peek at the borders during my '98 visit, I am now doubley keen on taking a tour of the Borders if I ever make it back.

So then I'm wondering if "Pour1Malt's" kilt-friendly Ferintosh isn't near this "Reiver Trail"??? I'll of course have to check things out on a map anyway, but thought maybe the Laird of Ferintosh himself might have a few words about this new Reiver Trail, and if it's hiker friendly especially...

For all yall that are interested in your Scottish heritage, I highly recommend the "SCOTS" magazine from the Scots Heritage Society (http://www.scotsheritage.net/). It's an extremely elegant magazine that those aesthetically inclined will well appreciate. They cover virtually the entire breadth of Scottish culture, from history, art, music and geography to food and (of course) whisky with beautiful photography and articles that are none too over-lengthy. At one time they even featured short articles on the Gaelic! I really caint say enough about it...but better stop there anyway.

And that's my two cents worth...

[McClef]

Looks interesting, have put in for a trial subscription.

[Pour1Malt]

ya auld Deil, ya!

ai'm oot in the pishin rain an gales the day...

I'll reply properly soon....

[cessna152towser]

Dumfries is just off the map shown here, along the green road which is shown passing Annan and going off to the left near the bottom of the map. Dumfries is about 20 miles, half an hour's drive from Gilnockie/Hollows Tower, so you could easily do the Reiver's Trail on a one day circuit by car starting in the morning from Ferintosh and returning there in the evening. If you want to hike it then there are fast and frequent trains between Dumfries and Carlisle from where buses can take you to most parts of the Reiver trail. The X95 starts from Carlisle railway station forecourt for Edinburgh via the Borders tourist route every hour and will drop you off at Gilnockie Tower, or the Clan Armstrong museum or within a couple of miles of Carlenrig. It would also drop you off at the road end for Hermitage Castle (about seven miles along a narow road with very little traffic). Or you can get a connecting bus at certain times of day from Longtown to Newcastleton and walk five miles to Hermitage Castle from there. Its around 15 years since I last travelled on the Longtown to Newcastleton bus but the route which it took on that occasion would certainly have taken you within a short hiking distance of Lang Sandy,Tourneyholm and Milnholm Cross.
I've already posted photos of Gilnockie Tower,
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ight=Gilnockie
and of Hermitage Castle, here
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ight=hermitage
the other sites along the Reiver Trail may need to wait till springtime.
Hermitage Castle is now closed until Easter.

[Deil the Yin]

Hermitage is very impressive!!! I remember now seeing your post on Gilnockie, too. Thanks for the reminders... And great photos by the way- really well done.

Cheers,
Wesley

[Pour1Malt]

quite guid Alex!

here is yin maire link...

http://www.thereivertrail.com/links.asp

guid info there...

an' as Alex said- ya can reach a lot o' Reiver country frae Ferintosh....

[Deil the Yin]

Eeeexcellent! [now somebody needs to come up with a smiley the drums their fingers together like Monty Burns...)

Thanks all for the input!

[Pour1Malt]

additionally....


in Dumfries we have the Border Gathering e'ery summer....

an the Border Families/Clans have wee tents to meet folk in....