MINNIGAFF HILLS - CALDONS TO AUCHINLECK
(via Lamachan and Curleywee)

This walk is a classic mountain traverse of the Minnigaff Hills taking in two peaks that typify the contrasting geological features of Galloway.

This is a demanding route that follows a steep sided burn, flat open ground, an airy ridge, a scrambly ascent and a valley descent. With each section interest and views constantly change.

The walk commences at the former Forestry Commission Camp Site at Caldons at the west end of Loch Trool ascending through the forest using the Caldons Burn as the route towards open ground. Care must be exercised as the path is close to a number of steep drops but the water and waterfalls make this section interesting.

On leaving the trees a cuppa is taken before the steepish climb to the top of Lamachan where the first real views of the day can be appreciated particularly looking over the glen to the other Minnigaff Hills of Millfore and Drigmorn. A line of very steep broken ground, encompassing two corries, runs north easterly from Larg Hill to Bennanbrack for more than two kilometres demonstrating how the ground was left as the last ice age receded.

In the Lamachan coire, one of the first recorded aircraft accidents took place in the early 20th century when an airship crashed during a test flight. From the top of Lamachan the route heads towards Bennanbrack, across an exposed ridge to the Nick of Curleywee and a mild scramble to the top of Curleywee where another stop is scheduled.

Galloway has many excellent tops providing their own unique vistas, Curleywee has the advantage of being in the middle and whatever direction you look the views are totally stunning. The Merrick and the Awfu Hand, the Glenhead Lochs with The Dungeon Range behind, the shimmering waters of Loch Dee drawing your eye to the ridge of the Kells Range beyond provide unforgettable memories making the uphill effort all worthwhile.

The next stage of the route leads towards the Loup pf the Laggan. Laggan in Gaelic simply means slope. At this point a path is joined leading southerly on the left hand side of the Pulnee Burn. This is one of the old Galloway droving roads and this one led from the Newton Stewart area to the markets of Ayrshire. The path has an open aspect and although unable to be seen the White Lochan of Drigmorn was one of the curling lochs in this area and it even had a shed to store the curling stones, a long way to go for a game of curling!

The path enters the trees at Drigmorn and follows a road to Auchinleck where the party will be picked up and transported back to the visitor centre at Kirroughtree.