Читать книгу The Southern Upland Way. Scotland's Coast to Coast trail онлайн

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To start the SUW, head for the north-west end of Portpatrick harbour (toilets) to reach a SUW information board, the first of many encountered along the Way, and the very first SUW wooden fingerpost, situated at the foot of a long flight of concrete steps heading up the coastal cliff. These mark the start of your 347km epic journey eastwards to Cockburnspath. But for the first few miles you stay with the west coast, enjoying an excellent coastal path. Note the various dates from historic, prehistoric and geological times marked on these steps. Head up to the huge Portpatrick Hotel with its Scottish Baronial architecture.

Sea cliff north of Portpatrick

Take the good path at the top of the steps, heading, ironically, westwards at first and pulling away from Portpatrick. Special care is required on this first section of the SUW, along this rocky coastline, particularly in wet, windy or icy conditions. There are benches here if you wish to linger awhile to admire the view, which in clear conditions includes the Irish coastline as far south as the Mourne Mountains. The path at this point is protected from the steep drop down to the cliffs below by a sturdy wooden fence. Walk to the left of the British Telecom Radio Station, still on the good coastal path above the cliffs. When Portpatrick Golf Course comes into view, walk up a short flight of wooden steps then turn left along an asphalted drive alongside the golf course before soon leaving the hard surface for the continuing coastal path. The route descends over rocks to reach a sandy and shingle beach. Cross this to turn left around the next peninsula headland, soon dropping again to cross a wooden footbridge. Pass around the shoreline to pick up the path again as it passes behind two tall rock stacks, and so up steep rocky, chain-assisted steps, back onto the grassy coastal path, which is met at a stile. An excellent section follows where it is possible to stride out on green springy turf. Soon Killantringan Lighthouse (private) at Black Head will come into view.