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

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Killantringan Lighthouse, which was built in 1900, marks the point where the SUW, having followed the coast northwards from Portpatrick for about 3.5km, leaves the sea to start its long journey to the east coast. The lighthouse apparently did not do its job too well; in 1982 a cargo ship ran aground on the nearby rocks spilling toxic waste into the sea and polluting the nearby coast. Note that the lighthouse is private property and the occupants should not be disturbed.

Killantringan Lighthouse

Head to the right of the lighthouse to join its tarmac access track at a SUW fingerpost that will direct you to the right and inland. At last you are on your long journey to the east coast! As you turn inland be sure to enjoy the grand view of Knock Bay and the coastal cliffs to the north.

Knock Bay from Killantringan Lighthouse (photo: Alan Castle)

The narrow asphalted lane climbs gradually eastwards away from the coast, passing first Killantringan Farmhouse and then Killantringan Cottage, after which it levels and continues to a main road, the B738. Go left on this usually fairly quiet road then after about 400m turn right onto a narrow lane that rises gently over a rounded green hill. Remain on this lane as it bends first to the left and then to the right to pass to the right of large Knockniemoak House. About 100m later, turn sharply right off this lane at a SUW fingerpost onto a gravel track by a pair of houses (Three Acres). Follow this track to the left of another solitary house and garage. Here the main track bends right, but keep ahead into a grassy one (a box formerly holding free SUW leaflets will be passed on your left). Go through a combination gate (a field gate with a smaller walkers’ gate set into it) to enter pasture and climb to a SUW marker post at the top of a grassy hill. From this point, Mulloch Hill at 156m (512ft), the tip of the steep-sided volcanic island of Ailsa Craig in the Firth of Clyde to the north can just be seen on a clear day.