Day 6 Smitton’s Bridge to Sanquhar

Click/tap on the image for a map of the day’s walk

We were up early for yet another big full breakfast, for me at least. Later I worked out that I’d had at least 10 full Scottish breakfasts in 14 days. More statins may be required, or possibly a small medical committee.

Going, err that way (I think!)

Noelene drove me to Smitton’s Bridge where she had met me two days ago. It wasn’t raining but the grass and ferns through which I was walking were very wet and I’d left my gaiters back in Bolton so very quickly my boots were wet through, with water trickling down my legs and into them. There was a lot of climbing today and a lot of walking across wet, squelchy ground. But at least it didn’t rain.

Striding Arch by Andy Goldsworthy

So I climbed over open moorland (squelchy underfoot), through woodland (squelchy underfoot) and across farmland (squelchy underfoot). I came across an Andy Goldsworthy sculpture called Striding Arch atop Benbrack so I stopped awhile to admire it but then back to those lovely squelchy trails over moorland and forests to Polskeoch where it seems that a huge wind turbine project is under construction, much to the chagrin of the well-heeled locals (probably second-home owners).

But did I stop?!

There was a mile or two of road walking which after all that ‘squelchiness’ was quite welcome but then back to it for the last few miles with Sanquhar prominent in the distance, which I reached at about 6 o’clock after just over 8 hours of walking.

I met Noelene and we checked in to the very pleasant Nithsdale Hotel on the High Street, showered, changed and straight down to the bar for a welcome couple of pints of Greene King Icebreaker Pale Ale and steak and ale pie.

Thankfully tomorrow is a short walk, just 8 miles, but then the following two days are 23 and 20!

Click HERE to download the .gpx file of today’s walk

Some Photos From Day 6