Walk on the wild side

After 25 years, it's my very own loch

My 1979 Ordnance Survey map 77, the First Series 1:50,000, was bought in the early 1980s with a view to climbing the Galloway Corbetts. I happened to be poring over the whole of the map, reading it as others would a book or music manuscript, when my eye noticed a small stretch of water just off the A702, called Loch Howie. Understandably, my curiosity was aroused.

Less than one mile long, the loch lies amid a forest of some three square miles. The curious thing was that the map showed only one track going from the road, but well south of the loch, leading towards Blackcraig Hill at the southern end of the forest. The map did show one path entering the forest from the south, running north-west from a place called Halfmark and ending at Laggan by the east end of the loch. It did not strike me at the time that there would be more tracks to service such a large area.

I vowed to visit one day, presumably with the Laggan path being the easiest approach. Well, this year, some 25 years later, I made it.

Almost on a whim, I decided to buy an up-to-date map, which was just as well, for otherwise I would have been thoroughly confused. I glanced at the forest surrounding Loch Howie. What a difference! The track of old and the Halfmark path were no more, swallowed up by new plantings. The forest now extends slightly to the north, but otherwise is much the same size, though an intricate pattern of tracks is now shown; tracks that make the way to Loch Howie both easy and obvious.

So far, my investigations into the loch's name have been fruitless. On Victorian maps, prior to the forestation, the land to one side was called Wallace's Rig and to the other Ward Rig, possibly named after two of the people who worked those areas.

Perhaps Mr Howie owned the loch's fishing rights, or used it a lot and so became associated with it. I wonder if any Galloway reader, walker or fisherman, can give me some more information?

The forestry tracks enabled me to extend the walk to over five miles, with a fair degree of shelter on what was a windy day. You will need Ordnance Survey map 77, Dalmellington & New Galloway, but only the most recent one. Otherwise it would be all too easy to feel disorientated, or even get lost.

From St John's Town of Dalry or New Galloway to the south-west, or Thornhill to the north-east, go along the A702 to the start of the track signposted Half Mark Forest, at map ref 690839. A track end on the north side of the road also identifies the start point.

The broad gravel track heads ESE for half a mile, rising ever so slightly, then descends to give the first view of the loch, tucked away in its sylvan setting. Continue round its eastern end to Laggan. In an idyllic spot beside a meadow, Laggan is now a ruin. There is no sign of the path of old from Halfmark.

The walk to Laggan is far too short and I extended the outing by taking two large loops on the forestry tracks. The first loop goes clockwise from Laggan round another loch, the smaller and more circular Loch Skae, hidden from view until reaching its north-east side. Continue south then south-west, the track climbing above Loch Skae. The forest is a mixture of older and newer plantings with clear fell spaces, giving an airy feeling to the walk with good views, especially when descending above the southern shores of Loch Howie on the return to Laggan.

Too short a walk still? Yes. Repeat the initial part of the Loch Skae circuit, but only as far as the track junction at map ref 707840. Walk anti-clockwise on the second loop, crossing the outflow of Loch Howie at map ref 702847, then walking south-west parallel to the now visible A702 and so back to the car.

Factfile

Map Ordnance Survey map 77, Dalmellington & New Galloway

Distance 5 miles

Height 150m

Terrain Good forest tracks

Start point From the A702 at map ref 690839, on the track signposted Half Mark Forest

Time 2 to 3 hours

Nearest town St John's Town of Dalry

Nearest refreshment spot St John's Town of Dalry or New Galloway