Route: Knockinaam Lodge to Portpatrick
Area: Dumfries and Galloway
Date of walk: 10th April 2017
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 7.2 miles
Weather: Sunny and windy
We were staying at the excellent Knockinaam Lodge Hotel and from the bay where the hotel is situated we made a stiff climb up to the top of the cliff. The views in both directions were stupendous and we were lucky to be blessed with sun and blue skies
After following the undulating path for about 2 miles we arrived at the ruins of Dunskey Castle, perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Irish Sea. The castle was built in the mid 16th century but was already derelict by the 1700. Strictly speaking there is no access to the interior, but we noticed several folk strolling around so we followed suit and spent some time amongst the atmospheric old ruins
It was a short stroll into Portpatrick from the castle. We wandered around this idyllic little harbour village for a while and then retraced our steps back to the start of a superb coastal walk
If this walk is followed by a non-resident of Knockinaam Lodge it should be started at Portpatrick, as parking at the hotel is for residents only. The hotel would be an excellent place for tea and refreshments at the half way point of the walk
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Knockinaam Lodge Hotel, our base for today's walk
The hotel beach
Oystercatchers on the beach, rather comical birds on land...
...but more elegant on the wing
Start of the walk from the hotel car park
There's an initial climb up to the top of the cliff
We follow the path uphill through the gorse
Looking back across Craigwoughey Hill
Start of the cliff top walk
Looking back to the Knockinaam Lodge Hotel
Morroch Bay
Looking out to sea
A view back along our path
We either carried on here, or turned right - I can't say which
A view back to Morroch Bay
Further along the wonderful coastal path
Dramatic cliff top scenery...
Our first glimpse of Dunskey Castle
The castle is a scheduled monument, and a listed building
Inside the castle (the interior is not open to the public but other folk were wandering around and we followed suit)...
We continue along the coastal path
Portpatrick comes into view...
We arrive in the attractive old port
Cormorant or shag on the harbour wall
The harbour entrance
We follow the footpath round the harbour...
Start of the Southern Upland Way - and the start of tomorrow's walk
A last look across the harbour
Having retraced our steps we arrive back at Knockinaam Lodge Hotel
Late afternoon on the beach...
