Solway Firth - definition of Solway Firth in English | Oxford Dictionaries Definition of Solway Firth in English: Solway Firth proper noun An inlet of the Irish Sea, separating Cumbria (in England) from Dumfries and Galloway (in Scotland). Pronunciation Which is the correct spelling? antemalarial Which is the correct spelling? anteclimax Which is the correct spelling? antisocial Which is the correct spelling? anteterror Which is the correct spelling? ante-racism Which is the correct spelling? antepenultimate Which is the correct spelling? antethesis Which is the correct spelling? antiseptic Which is the correct spelling? antiperspirant Which is the correct spelling? antedepressant You scored /10 practise again? Retry Natural Britain, Solway Firth, Dumfries and Galloway Tweet The Solway Firth is situated on the western side of mainland Britain and straddles the border between England and Scotland. The Solway Coast was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (ANOB) in 1964.

Solway Firth is defined as the firth, or inlet, that stretches from St Bees Head in Cumbria to the Mull of Galloway in Dumfries and Galloway. The firth is part of the Irish Sea, with the Isle of Man situated nearby, and enjoys the warming influence of the North Atlantic Driftï¿½ (Gulf Stream). This warm water current, and the warm air it brings with it, means that the area enjoys a climate far warmer than its northerly longitude might indicate. The area is mainly rural, with fishing and mainly hill farming being the mainstays of the economy there. In more recent times, however, the area has been noticed by both visitors and those wishing to enjoy the tranquil beauty of the Solway region. Property prices and tourism have both increased as a result and the area has enjoyed some growth in recent years as a result. There is a reserve, the National Nature Reserve at Caerlaverock and Solway is host to almost 300 square miles of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). The firth is home to a number of very popular beaches, many of them sandy.

The Scottish side of the firth is dotted with charming small towns and villages such as the picturesque old harbour town at Kirkcudbright . It is a very fashionable destination with people attracted by its location in beautiful surrounding scenery and the charming Georgian and Victorian architecture there. Silloth , a Cumbrian port town, lies on the opposite side of the firth to Kirkcudbright and was also once a very fashionable seaside location. After years of falling into disrepair the town is enjoying a programme of renewal which has seen the restoration of many of the seaside properties to their former glory. The small port is still a working facility but tourism is becoming increasingly important to the townï¿½s economy again. Wigtown is another Solway harbour town and gives its name to Wigtownshire, a district of Dumfries and Galloway. It sits on the banks of the River Bladnoch where it flows into the River Cree on the north bank of the firth. Wigtown is known as Scotlandï¿½s National Book Town as it is home to a large number of second hand book shops.

The Solway Firth | Flickr The Solway Firth Group Description The group remit is simple - "Pictures of the Solway!" The Solway is the inlet of sea between the north west of England and southern Scotland. It extends from St. Bees Head (south of Whitehaven in Cumbria) up to the Mull Of Galloway at the western end of Dumfries and Galloway. To the west of the the Solway Firth lies the Irish sea - with the Isle of Man somewhere inbetween. The rivers Eden, Esk and Nith flow into the Solway Firth. This group is for photographs of the Solway itself, views across it, beaches and locations alongside it. Please mark photos with the tag "SolwayFirth" and consider adding them to the Flickr map, thanks!

Additional Info Accepted content types: Photos, Videos, Images, Art, Screenshots Accepted safety levels: Safe Dumfries and Galloway | Familypedia | Fandom powered by Wikia the sub-area of Wigtownshire - Machars (archaically, Farines )--divided into census areas (civil parish areas) the sub-area of Wigtownshire - Rhins of Galloway divided into census areas (civil parish areas) The term 'Dumfries and Galloway' has been used since at latest the 19th century - by 1911 the three counties had a united Sheriffdom under that name. Dumfries and Galloway covers the majority of the Western area of the Southern Uplands , [1] it also hosts Scotland's most Southerly point, at the Mull of Galloway [2] in the west of the region. Water systems and transport routes through the Southern Uplands Edit The region has a number of south running water systems which break through the Southern Uplands creating the main road, and rail, arteries north/south through the region and breaking the hills up into a number of ranges.

River Cree valley carries the A714 north-westward from Newton Stewart to Girvan and Water of Minnoch valley which lies just west of the Galloway Hills carries a minor road northward through Glentrool village into South Ayrshire . This road leaves the A714 at Bargrennan . Water of Ken and River Dee form a corridor through the hills called the Glenkens [3] which carries the A713 road from Castle Douglas to Ayr . The Galloway Hills lie to the west of this route through the hills and the Carsphairn and Scaur Hills lie to the east. River Nith rises between Dalmellington and New Cumnock in Ayrshire and runs east then south down Nithsdale to Dumfries. Nithsdale carries both the A76 road and the rail line from Dumfries to Kilmarnock . It separates the Carsphairn and Scaur Hills from the Lowther Hills which lie east of the Nith.

River Annan combines with Evan Water and the River Clyde to form one of the principal routes into central Scotland from England - through Annandale and Clydesdale - carrying the M74 and the west coast railway line . This gap through the hills separates the Lowthers from the Moffat Hills . River Esk enters the Solway Firth just south of Gretna having travelled south from Langholm and Eskdalemuir . The A7 travels up Eskdale as far as Langholm and from Langholm carries on up the valley of Ewes Water to Teviothead where it starts to follow the River Teviot to Hawick . Eskdale itself heads north west from Langholm through Bentpath and Eskdalemuir to Ettrick and Selkirk . The A701 branches off the M74 at Beattock , goes through the town of Moffat , climbs to Annanhead above the Devil's Beef Tub (at the source of the River Annan) before passing the source of the River Tweed and carrying on to Edinburgh . Until fairly recent times the ancient route to Edinburgh travelled right up Annandale to the Beef Tub before climbing steeply to Annanhead.

[4] The present road ascends northward on a ridge parallel to Annandale but to the west of it which makes for a much easier ascent. From Moffat the A708 heads north east along the valley of Moffat Water (Moffatdale) on its way to Selkirk . Moffatdale separates the Moffat hills (to the north) from the Ettrick hills to the south. National Scenic Areas There are three National Scenic Areas within this region. Nith Estuary [5] - This area follows the River Nith southward from just south of Dumfries into the Solway Firth. Dumfries itself has a rich history going back over 800 years as a Royal Burgh (1186) and is particularly remembered as the place where Robert the Bruce murdered the Red Comyn in 1306 before being crowned King of Scotland - and where Robert Burns spent his last years. His mausoleum is in St Michael's graveyard.

Going down the east bank there is the village of Glencaple , Caerlaverock Castle , Caerlaverock Wild Fowl Trust , an ancient Roman fort on Ward Law Hill [6] and neaby in Ruthwell is the Ruthwell Cross and the Brow Well [7] where Robert Burns "took the waters" and bathed in the Solway just before his death. On the west bank, there are several walks and cycle routes in Mabie Forest, [8] Kirkconnell Flow [9] for the naturalist, the National Museum of Costume [10] just outside New Abbey and Sweetheart Abbey within the village. Criffel (569 metres) offers the hill walker a reasonably modest walk with excellent views across the Solway to the Lake District . The house of John Paul Jones founder of the American Navy is also open to visitors near Kirkbean . East Stewartry [11] - This takes in the coast line from Balcary Point [12] eastward across Auchencairn Bay and the Rough Firth past Sandyhills to Mersehead.

[13] There are several attractive coastal villages within this area - Auchencairn , Kippford , Colvend, Rockcliffe , and Portling. There is also a unigue round tower at Orchardton and the islands of Hestan Isle and Rough Island can be reached at low tide outside the breeding season for birds. Mersehead is an excellent wildfowl reserve. The area is well provided with coastal paths. Fleet Valley [14] - This area takes in Fleet Bay with its popular holiday destinations of Auchenlarie, Mossyard Bay, Cardoness, Sandgreen and Carrick Shore. The area also includes the town of Gatehouse of Fleet and the historic villages of Anworth and Girthon - there is a castle at Cardoness in the care of Historic Scotland . Governance and Place-names Edit The region was created in 1975, by merging the counties of Wigtownshire , Kirkcudbrightshire and Dumfriesshire as a two-tier region with the districts of Wigtownshire, Stewartry, Nithsdale and Annandale and Eskdale within it.

After 1996 the unitary authority became known as Dumfries and Galloway Council still with Wigtownshire, Stewartry, Nithsdale, Annandale and Esdale within it. County councils as administrative authorities were only created in 1889, little more than 100 years ago. The present-day, "Dumfries and Galloway Council Area" exist for administrative purposes. The historic counties of Britain, at least most of them, have existed for around 1,000 years or more, and were not formed by any government, but are geographical entities in themselves which have nothing whatsoever to do with administrative regions formed purely for the sake of convenience of provision of services. Transport Transport in the region is operated by bus companies Huston's , McEwan's , Stagecoach Western and McCall's coaches , and train operators First ScotRail , Transpennine Express and Virgin Trains Railway The area is served by buses which connect the main population centres. Express bus services link the main towns with Glasgow, Ayr, Edinburgh and Carlisle. Local bus services are also operated across the region.

Sea Stena Line provided HSS sailings between Stranraer and Belfast Dumfries and Galloway is home to two ports which have services to Northern Ireland, both are in the West of the region. Stena Line and P&O Irish Sea both have a port in the village of Cairnryan . Air Edit The region also has no commercial airports; the nearest are Glasgow Prestwick Airport and Carlisle Lake District Airport . The region does host a number of private airfields. The town of Lockerbie was the scene of the Pan Am Flight 103 terrorist attack on December 21, 1988. Roads The Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary (Dissolved 2013 and now Police Scotland ) is the police force for the region, and is the smallest in the United Kingdom. Dumfries and Galloway Fire and Rescue Service provide firefighting services across the region. The Coastguard , Lifeboats , Moffat mountain rescue and Galloway Mountain Rescue also offer emergency services across Dumfries and Galloway. Nith Inshore Rescue is based at Glencaple.

This an independent lifeboat providing water rescue cover for the River Nith, surrounding rivers and inland water. Nith Inshore Rescue is a declared facility for HM Coastguard who are the control centre and overseeing authority responsible for call outs. NHS Dumfries and Galloway provide healthcare services across the region. The two main hospitals are the Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary in Dumfries and Galloway Community Hospital in Stranraer. Education Dumfries & Galloway Council provides nursery, primary and secondary education across the region. Alternative Schools The region is known as a stronghold for several rare and protected species of amphibian, such as the Natterjack toad and the Great crested newt .

[15] There are also RSPB Nature Reserves at the Mull of Galloway , [16] Wood of Cree ( Galloway Forest Park ), [17] Ken Dee Marshes (near Loch Ken ) [18] and Mereshead (near Dalbeattie on the Solway Firth ) Welcome sign Edit There are five of the world class 7Stanes [19] mountain biking centres in Dumfries and Galloway at Dalbeattie , Mabie , Ae, Glentrool and Kirroughtree. The Sustrans Route 7 [20] long distance cycle route also runs through the region. There is excellent hill walking in the Moffat Hills , [21] Lowther Hills [22] the Carsphairn and Scaur Hills [23] and Galloway Hills . [24] The Southern Upland Way [25] coast to coast walk passes through Dumfries and Galloway and the 53 mile long Annandale Way [26] travels from the Solway Firth into the Moffat hills near the Devil's Beef Tub .

There is also fresh water sailing on Castle Loch at Lochmaben [27] and at various places on Loch Ken [28] [29] Loch Ken also offers waterskiing and wakeboarding. [30] The Solway Firth coastline offers endless fishing, caravaning and camping, walking and sailing opportunities. Arts and culture Edit Dumfries and Galloway is well known for its arts and cultural activities as well as its natural beauty. The major festivals including the region-wide Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival and Spring Fling Open Studios . Other festivals include Big Burns Supper in Dumfries and the Wigtown Book Festival in Wigtown - Scotland's national book town. Towns and villages Edit The council consists of 47 councillors elected for a four-year term from 13 wards . These wards were introduced for the 2007 election and each returns three or four members by the single transferable vote system of election. This system was introduced by the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 , [32] as a means of ensuring a reasonably proportionately representative outcome.

2003–2007 Edit The result of the 2003 election returned a council with no party having overall control. [33] A 'silver' coalition was first formed involving all parties but Conservative and Labour, after this coalition resigned [34] Labour took minority control of the council. The following number of councillors were elected for each party as follows: Party Hill walking and walking in Dumfries and Galloway Walks on the Mull of Galloway 20 minutes – 3 hours or more From Portpatrick turn right onto B7042 about 2 miles from the village and follow signs for Sandhead. Just as you reach Sandhead turn right onto the main road, follow signs for Mull of Galloway and park at the visitor centre (Gallie Craig) The Mull of Galloway is the most southerly point on the Scottish mainland and is a spectacular viewpoint taking in the fells of Cumbria, the Isle of Man, Ireland including the Mountains of Mourne, Luce Bay, the Galloway Hills. Even the Mull of Kintyre, Arran and sometimes, Jura!

There is an interesting exhibition at the lighthouse, a coffee house perched on the clifftop where the views can be enjoyed over some refreshments and an RSPB reserve where amongst others, fulmars, black guillemots, shags and up to 2,000 pairs of gannets nest on the nearby Scar Rocks. Porpoises and grey seals are often seen. Short walk round reserve From the car park go through the gate where there is a network of paths taking in the RSPB centre and the lighthouse itself. No difficulties other than the steep steps down to the foghorn where care is required. The path to the foghorn give a good view of the whirlpools caused by the meeting of the 7 tides. Mull of Galloway – short circuit (about 1.5 hours) Park at the Gallie Craig Visitor Centre, walk round the front of the coffee house and go through the gate at the end of the building onto a path heading north between the fence and the cliff top. The eroded cliffs around here provide fantastic scenery and there are numerous seabirds to watch. You will see a monument in the field above you.

This is known as Kennedy`s Cairn and if you have a good head for heights it is possible to climb to the top on stone steps. Although I am a keen hill-walker, I passed on the steps! Returning to the path, follow it until it rejoins the road at a cattle grid. Cross the road and make your way down towards the ruined walled cottage and jetty at the far end of the bay. Pick up a faint path which runs just above the rocks and follow it as far as you dare! (the path is very narrow and quite exposed) It is possible at various stages to scramble up the steep grassy slope where an easier path runs alongside the fence. Follow the fence until the visitor centre comes into view and make your way back to the car park. If the path southward doesn’t appeal, just walk back alongside the road. Mull of Galloway – long circuit (about 3 hours) Start off as described above short circuit but before crossing the cattle grid take the path, through the gate on the left (signed footpath to Cairngaan). After about 5 minutes, descend into a grassy inlet and bear right near the bottom where a faint path leads to the shore.

Pick up the path to the right along the sea shore. Go upwards again through a gate and follow the path round the next headland then ascend a somewhat boggy slope until the fence and path is regained. Walk between the field edge and the fence until you see a post in the field to your right. From the post you will see a lane heading inland. Follow the lane and at a junction go straight ahead, keeping the farm house on your left until you come to a road beside some houses where you turn right. After 10-15 minutes, a footpath leads off to the right (before the houses). Follow the path round the edge of the field and into an attractive, recently planted wooded valley. Eventually you come to a fork in the path where you go straight ahead, ie. not upwards to the right. Go through a gate and follow the path to the left and soon reach the road. The walk can be cut short at this point by turning right along the road and follow it back to the car park. However, you can, instead cross the road and follow the signed footpath towards the shore.

From there, ascend to a field above the cliffs where you can follow the fence until you come to a stile over the wall where you can pick up a good path between the wall and cliff top back to the cattle grid described in the short loop walk described above. Drummore to Maryport This is an easy and level walk along the shoreline with a good path and excellent views of the Mull of Galloway Park at the picnic area in Cailiness Road at the southern end of the village of Drummore. Walk along the road for a short distance until it turns inland and go through a new gate into a small field then out another gate at the far end where a footpath runs just above the shore line. After rounding Cailness Point, the Mull of Galloway with its lighthouse comes into view and the path continues until Maryport is reached. There are some sandy beaches along the way and Maryport itself where there is a caravan park has a lovely beach. The walk takes about 30-40 minutes one way. The return to Drummore can be either by retracing your steps or by cutting through the caravan park and following the roads back although this is a longer option.

The walk can be extended by continuing along the shore (no path) for about 30 minutes until rocks force an ascent of some steep and rough ground to reach the fields above. From here it is possible to reach the road but care is required as a fence needs to be crossed which may be electric! (it was switched off when I crossed) A further footpath starts not long after the road is reached from where it is possible to walk to the Mull of Galloway but a full day would be required for this. From Cairnryan to the Taxing Stane and WWII Gun Emplacements Park in the picnic area on the far side of Cairnryan, just past the lighthouse. Cross the road at the far end of the picnic area and ascend steeply up the rd. signed “Little Laight” (etc) this was once the stagecoach route to Ballantrae and the first section must have been very tiring for the horses! After passing a wooded area, the gradient levels off and there are good views towards the south rhins over Loch Ryan. Carry on, through a gate until you reach the “Taxing Stane” and you see the remains of gun emplacements on your right.

It is possible for the more agile to climb to the top of one of the emplacements utilising an adjacent fence. This is an excellent viewpoint from where the entire Rhins of Galloway Peninsula as far as the Mull of Galloway can be seen and it gives an excellent perspective of the peninsula. From the viewpoint you can also see over the peninsula to Ireland and north-west to Kintryre. The Taxing Stane is thought to commemorate the burial of Alpin, king of the Scots of Dalriada, who was murdered in Glenapp in AD741. It was also a boundary marker between the old kingdoms of Galloway and Carrick and is close to the current boundary between Wigtownshire & Ayrshire. The gun emplacements were for anti-aircraft guns and were one of four emplacements used to defend Loch Ryan during the 2nd World War. This walk forms part of the Loch Ryan Coastal Path from Stranraer to Glen App where it merges with the Ayrshire Coastal Path and leads north as far as Skelmorlie. If transport can be arranged, it is well worth continuing beyond the Taxing Stane to Glen App church where the path rejoins the main road.

The return walk takes about 1 hour & 10 minutes (the descent is much faster!!). Coast to Coast in 90 minutes! Unlike the 212 mile Southern Upland Way, this mini coast to coast walk can be done – there and back in well under two hours! The walk is from New England Bay on the coast of Luce Bay to Port Logan on the Irish Sea Coast of the Rhins of Galloway. Start at the picnic area at the entrance to New England Bay Caravan Park – about two miles south of Ardwell. Follow a short grassy track from the car park to the main road. The track is diaganonally opposite and to the right of the car park access road. Cross the main road onto a narrow public road which is followed all the way to Port Logan where the route turns left and the first left again immediately before the Port Logan Inn to climb back uphill. After 600m turn left onto a narrow public road and continues past Killumpha Farm and Bridge Cottages at an acute bend. Back at the main road,cross ove and turn leftr to join the Mull of Galloway Trail along the foreshore back to New England Bay.

(7km). Whithorn to Burrow Head Walk This is a fairly level coastal walk on a grassy path mainly though farmland. Return either same way or by the minor road. Total distance about 5-6 miles. The walk can be extended from Burrow Head to St Ninian`s Cave. The path starts opposite the Quens Arms Hotel in Isle of Whithorn. The route follows the coastline on grassy fields and is well waymarked. The scenery gets dramatic as the walk starts to climb to higher cliffs. I spotted a heron while gannetts and cormorants are often seen as well as passing marine mammals. The path keeps to the seaward side of the fields so take care if its windy! The collumns of the cliffs get ever more imoressive. Eventually you reach a cairn which marks the highest point. This is where “The Wicker Man” was burned in the cult movie. Keep following the path to reach the caravan park from which either retrace your steps to Isle of Whithorn, go through the caravan park to pick up the road back or continue on the coastal path to St Ninian`s Cave.

Loch Trool Walks Two walks at Loch Trool – the first is a relatively easy one along the 7 Stanes mountain bike trail to Loch Dee. The second is a bit more challenging and goes all the way round Loch Trool. Both walks start from the same car park as the Merrick and it is worth taking a small detour to see Bruce’s Stone from which there is a good view of the loch. The stone commemorates the Battle of Glentrool in 1307 when Robert the Bruce with an army of 300 Scots defeated an English Army of 1500 men by rolling boulders down the hill then using archers to complete the victory. There is a beautifully situated Visitor Centre a couple of miles before the car park which is open 10.30am to 16.30pm and provides maps and leaflets etc plus teas, coffee etc along with home baking. The Visitor Centre has a lovely picnic area beside a waterfall and bridge and provides and excellent place to relax and soak in the scenery either before or after your walk.

Loch Trool to Loch Dee From the car park at the start of the Merrick climb, follow the 7 Stanes sign along a forest road which takes you through an attractive wooded area, somewhat unusually,oak instead of the normal conifer. The route is well signposted and descends quite steeply at first but then climbs gradually after that most of the rest of the way which makes for an easy return walk. The trail follows the valley of the Glenhead Burn deep into the Galloway Forest Park, often echoing with the call of cuckoos and provides great views of nearby hills with unusual names such as Mulldonoch, Lamachan Hill and Rigg of the Jarkness. Around the highest point of the trail, look out on your left for one of the “7 Stanes” a 1.5 ton sculpture resembling a neolithic axe head complete with runic text. From here there are lovely views of Loch Dee with it`s sandy shores. Follow the trail for as long as you want but remember you need to go back the same way.

It is possible to access the loch at several points Loch Dee is the source of the River Dee which flows through Clatteringshaws Loch and Loch Ken before entering the Solway Firth near Kirkcudbright. To return to the carpark, retrace your steps and enjoy the glimpse of Loch Tool as you descend the trail. The return walk to the west end of Loch Dee takes about 2 hours 30 minutes. Round Loch Trool From the car park set off to the right along a tarmac track used as a cycle path. The path crosses an old bridge across the Buchan Burn, after which fork left (signposted Gairland Burn) and cross the wooden bridge over Gairland burn. After about 0.5km a footpath branches right leading to a further sign post where you turn rt. and cross another wooden footbridge from where you go straight on uphill on the Southern Upland Way. Follow the path swinging right and traverse the steep hillside and pass a plaque commemorating the Battle of Glen Trool. After about 2km the path enters a meadow where you turn left onto a cinder track and cross a concrete bridge. At the next junction turn right and rt.

again after about 100m to cross two bridges bringing you to a small carpark where the former Caldons Camp site was. From here the signposted Loch Trool Forest Trail goes through a cleared area before entering the trees. About 50m after the trees start the trail bears left and a small path ascends gradually away from the loch to the road where you turn right back to the car park. Time – about 2 1/2 hours. Climb the Merrick The Merrick is the highest point in the Southern Uplands of Scotland and is a Corbett. This mountain is 843 metres above sea level and appropriate precautions should be taken as the weather can change rapidly and it can often be extremely cold and exposed at and near the summit. For regular visitors to the Lake District, the Merrick is only two metres lower than the mighty Blencathra! Ailsa Craig from The Merrick – photo by Leeming & Paterson From Portpatrick follow the A77 to Lochans, turn right in the village and rt. again at the junction. Take 2nd on the left signposted A75 then turn rt. when the road meets the A75.

Just before Newton Stewart take a turning to the left and follow the signs for Glentrool. Access to the Merrick is from the carpark at the end of the public road in Glen Trool. A well used, signposted path leads up beside the Buchan Burn to Culsharg bothy. From the bothy, the path takes you upwards through a forest then through open hillside to the summit of Benyellary. (719m) The path then follows a wall and continues to a col. When the slope broadens out, leave the wall and ascend the grassy hillside by the path which takes you to the summit. As this is the highest land between the Lake District and Ben Lomond, north of Glasgow, views on a clear day are spectacular and include Ailsa Craig and the west coast as well as the mountains of Cumbria and the Mull of Galloway. It is also nearly always very cold on this section of the walk as this will be the highest ridge in the South of Scotland. It is possible to vary this walk by ascending via a series of lochs and it is suggested that OS sheet 77 is studied in detail beforehand.

Unless you are used to regular hillwalking, approximately 5 -6 hours return should be allowed for the walk by the main path. The car journey is just under an hour each way. Coastal walk – Stairhaven to Auchenmalg This walk follows a signposted and waymarked footpath and provides excellent views of the Mull of Galloway, Burrow Head and the Isle of Man. There are opportunities to explore the shore-line and view birds including cormorants and the chance of seeing a seal or two From Portpatrick, take the A77 to Lochans, turn right in the village and right again then follow signs for A75. Shortly after joining A75 turn right for Stairhaven and park in the picnic area. The footpath starts just to the left of Fisherman`s Cottage and climbs fairly steeply for a few minutes before levelling off and running along above the shore line. Good views of the Mull of Galloway. After a while, the path reaches a field and becomes indistinct. Follow the seaward edge of the field and at the far end of the field and, slightly inland, the footpath becomes obvious again where the track crosses a small stream.

Soon the view changes to the Isle of Man and Burrow Head where Edward Woodward met a grizzly end in the cult Wickerman movie. The path continues over stiles but is always obvious until it descends to join a farm road near Auchenmalg. This is the end of the walk, however it is only a short distance to the Cock Inn at Auchenmalg which has a tea room open 10am – 3pm daily except Mondays. To reach the Cock Inn, it seems to be ok to skirt round the back of a recently built wooden house as walking the shore at that point would involve crossing a stream. You may prefer to go up the farm road to join the main rd. from which it is only a short distance to the Cock Inn Stairhaven was a port for a brief period around 1826-1850 but trade gradually declined thereafter. The remains of the harbour can still be seen. Now there are just a few houses but it is a pretty spot to have a picnic or to explore the beach. From Auchenmalg, the best plan is to retrace your steps back to the car as returning by road is quite a bit longer Approx distance: two miles each way.

Time: about 2.5 – 3 hours Please not that due to livestock, no dogs allowed on the path. Inshanks Fell & Kirkmaiden Inshanks Fell may be only 164 metres above sea level but it is the highest point on the South Rhins of Galloway and the view is senstional. There is no path to the summit, the ground is rough and a barbed wire fence needs to be negotiated so a bit of caution is required but well worth the effort. Park in the tiny village of Kirkmaiden which is near Drummore. There is usually space to park near Kirkmaiden Old Kirk (which was a location in 2000 Acres of Sky) Take the turning just south of the Old Kirk beside a red phone box and walk along the narrow minor road to the west. The road is mostly downhill and views are good as you approach Castle Clanyard. Remains of the castle on your right. Take a left turning at Castle Clanyard farm and walk along a concrete road, past farm buildings bearing left. A burn runs alongside this good track on your left.

The track runs uphill away from the farm and after a while, passes a new build house with an interesting round turret, the track turns to grass as has great views. On reaching the road, turn left and soon you will see a gate on your right. Climb the gate and follow a faint track for a short while then proceed left towards the summit of Inshanks Fell. There is no path but once you reach higher ground, you will see the trig point in the distance. Pick the easiest way through the uneven and, in some places, overgrown ground towrads the summit. There is a barbed wire fence which is too rickety to climb bit an agile walker can crawl below the wire. The fence was broken in places so another option is to find a place where you can step over it. Once at the summit you will be amazed at the views in all directions taking in the Galloway Hills, Cumbrian Fells, Mountains of Mourne, Isle of Man and much more. Best option is to retrace your steps back to the road, climb the gate agan and go right towards Kirkmaiden, turning left shortly before the village.

The walk including the fell should take no more than two hours and the ascent of the hill is only about 40-50 metres. It still a great walk even without the hill ascent and would reduce the time to just over an hour. Macclesfield Pub Quiz League: 22nd January–Questions Macclesfield Pub Quiz League Set by The Nags Head Vetted by The Chester Road Tavern 1. ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT: PLAY IT BY NUMBERS 2. SCIENCE 5. ON YOUR HEAD BE IT 6. HISTORY Play it by Numbers (all of the answers have a number in their title) 1. Which band had a major hit with Moves Like Jagger in late 2011/early 2012? Maroon 5 2. What was the 1953 novel by Ray Bradbury set in America at a time when books were banned? Fahrenheit 451 3. What was the 2002 movie starring Eminem about the struggles of a young rapper to establish himself? 8 Mile 4. What was the number of the mobile surgical unit in the film and TV series of M*A*S*H?

4077 5. A Jackson Pollock painting was sold in 2006 for $160 million dollars, the most expensive painting in the world at the time. It was called number what, 1948? 5 (No. 5, 1948) 6. Can you name the 2009 film starring Daniel Day-Lewis based on Federico Fellini’s film 8½? 9 7. What is the name of the Joseph Heller novel turned into a 1970 movie following the experiences of Capt. John Yossarian in World War 2? Catch 22 8. What was the name of the Blur hit from 1997 voted the 15th Best Track ever by Radio 1 listeners? Song 2 1. How many operas make up Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle? 4 ( Das Rheingold, Die Walkure, Siegfried and Gotterdammerung) 2. Name the Steven Spielberg comedy about panic in Los Angeles in the aftermath of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour? 1941 1. What is the name of the acid also known as oil of vitriol?

Sulphuric acid 2. What is the name of the planet with great red spot? Jupiter 3. What is the name of the planet that has its day longer than its year? Venus 4. What is the chemical name for quick lime? Calcium oxide 5. What unit, equivalent to 3.2 light years, is the measure of distance between stars and galaxies? Parsec 6. The Crab Nebula is also known as by the acronym M1 (M one). What does the M stand for? Messier 7. What is produced by the Haber Bosh process? Ammonia 8. Some elements exist in two or more different forms with different molecular arrangements, what is the name given to these variant forms? Allotropes 1. How many milk teeth does a child have assuming full and correct development? 20 2. How many manned Apollo moon landings were made? 6 (Apollo 11, 12, 14, 15, 16 & 17) Round 3 Name the Character. The following are all fictitious characters. Only the character is required. 1.

In The Lord Of The Rings, who was the gardener who took care of Bag End before accompanying Frodo Baggins to Rivendell? Samwise Gamgee (accept Sam, Samwise or Gamgee) 2. In the same novel, Gollum’s real name was Trahald – what was the anglicised equivalent? Smeagol 3. Who is the heroine who taught at the Marcia Blaine school? Miss Jean Brodie 4. “The third man was about the worst racketeer who ever made a dirty living”. What was his name? Harry Lime 5. Which character wanted to walk a little faster because there was a porpoise close behind him treading on his tail? A whiting (from Alice In Wonderland) 6. Which two characters agreed to have a battle because one said the other had spoilt his nice new rattle? Tweedledum & Tweedledee (from Alice Through The looking Glass) 7. What is the name of the Secret Seven’s dog? Scamper 8. Name the dog that features in the novel “Three Men in a Boat” Montmorency 1. Who was the “Weaver of Raveloe”?

Silas Marner 2. What was Billy Liar’s real name? Billy Fisher 1. In which country is Mount Kilimanjaro? TANZANIA 2. Which country has the most UNESCO world heritage sites? ITALY (with 47) 3. What wild American feature begins at Springer Mountain, in Georgia, and ends at Mount Katahdin in Maine. A total of approximately 2,200 miles? THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL 4. Which mainland African country has the longest coastline? SOMALIA (the coast of the island state of Madagascar is longer) 5. What is the county town of Surrey? GUILDFORD 6. On which Island did the HMS Bounty mutineers settle? PITCAIRN 7. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, are a dependency of which country? INDIA 8. Which inlet of the Irish Sea separates Cumbria from Dumfries & Galloway? SOLWAY FIRTH 1. On which Caribbean island can you find the Blue Mountains? JAMAICA 2. Which Costa lies on the Spanish coast, to the north of Barcelona?

COSTA BRAVA Round 5 On your head be it (All the question in this round are based around hats or other headware) 1. ‘Mad as a hatter’ is a term which comes from the hat making industry of old. What substance did the hatters use, which affected the nervous system and made them tremble, and appear ‘mad’? MERCURY 2. The skin from which animal was used to make hats of frontiersmen, including Davy Crockett? RACOON 3. The Busby, is the name of the military head-dress worn by the Coldstream Guards. In which county is Coldstream, from which they take their name? BERWICKSHIRE 4. A Dolly Varden hat is named after a character from which Charles Dickens novel? BARNABY RUDGE 5. What name is given to a ladies formal hair decoration, on a band or clip, often worn instead of a hat at weddings and other such events? FASCINATOR 6. What is the name of the tall white pleated hat worn by chefs? TOQUE (TOQUE BLANCHE) 7.

What is the name of the crown used in the coronation of Elizabeth II? St. EDWARD’S CROWN 8. What is the cockney rhyming slang for wigs? SYRUP OF FIGS (accept SYRUP) Supplementaries 1. What do the Americans call a bowler hat? A DERBY 2. What is the name of the production company whose television shows include ‘Room 101’, ‘Father Ted’ and ‘Have I Got News for You’, among many others? HAT TRICK PRODUCTIONS That’s not history, that’s my life - history since the Second Word War? 1. In 1973 General Pinochet deposed which ruler in a military coup in Chile? Salvador Allende 2. The creation of the state of Biafra led to Civil War in which country in the late 1960s? Nigeria 3. Which constituency did Enoch Powell, famous for the controversial Rivers of Blood speech, represent for most of his Parliamentary career? Wolverhampton South West (accept Wolverhampton) 4.

Who was the call girl whose relationship with Minister of War, John Profumo, led to his resignation in 1963?. Christine Keeler 5. In which city was Robert Kennedy assassinated in 1968? Los Angeles 6. Who did John F Kennedy defeat to win the US Presidency in 1960? Richard Nixon 7. In which country was Che Guevara captured and summarily executed in 1967? Bolivia 8. What was the name of the Vietnamese village where around 400 unarmed civilians were massacred by a US platoon commanded by William Calley in 1968? My Lai Supplementaries 1. In what year did Rhodesia, under the leadership of Ian Smith, make a Unilateral Declaration of Independence from the UK? 1965 (accept 1964 to 1966) 2. In what year did Ian Smith lose power to Robert Mugabe in what was then Zimbabwe? 1980 (accept 1979 to 1981) Round 7. FAITH, HOPE AND CHARITY 1.

Adam Faith had two UK number one hit singles in 1959 and 1960. Name either. WHAT DO YOU WANT and POOR ME 2. Bob Hope was born in 1903 in which city? LONDON 3. Which charity, which to date has raised over £121m, did Bryn and Emma Parry set up in 2007? HELP FOR HEROES 4. The 1966 musical Sweet Charity was made into a film in 1969. Which American woman starred in the film as Charity Hope Valentine? SHIRLEY MACLAINE 5. Whose first solo album was called Faith? GEORGE MICHAEL 6. In which British city is Hope University? LIVERPOOL 7. ‘Hope springs eternal’ is a saying from a poem called ‘An Essay on Man’, written by whom? ALEXANDER POPE 8 In 1969, one of the first super groups to be created consisted of Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, Steve Winwood and Ric Grech. Under what name did they record?

BLIND FAITH In 1985, Live Aid concerts took place in London and which American city? PHILADELPHIA A 1997 TV film called Hope was the only film directed by this American woman, normally known for her comedy acting roles. Who? GOLDIE HAWN In which year was OXFAM founded ? 1942 (allow 1940 – 1944) Round 8. SPORT – That Was The Year That Was 2012 Which team last month beat Chelsea in Japan to win the World Club Championship? CORINTHIANS In last month's BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards, three of the twelve nominees were Paralympians. David Weir and Ellie Symonds were two. Who was the third? DAME SARAH STOREY, Who is credited with inventing the Mobot celebration for Mo Farah? CLARE BALDING It was announced that the 5 times winning horse of the King George VI chase, having retired from racing, was turning to dressage. What is the name of this horse?

KAUTO STAR (pronounced either korto or kayto) British sprinter Craig Pickering announced in December that he was making a surprise drastic sporting career change. Which sport is he taking up? BOBSLEIGH In which country was the World Twenty20 cricket tournament staged in September and October? SRI LANKA At the Paralympics, which 1 km time trial cyclist launched into a furious expletive-strewn rant when he was disqualified for stumbling out of the starting block and was refused a restart? JODY CUNDY How did Trenton Oldfield hit the sporting headlines in April? HE WAS THE PROTESTOR (aka arsehole) WHO DISRUPTED THE UNIVERSITY BOAT RACE BY SWIMMING INTO THE PATH OF THE TWO BOATS Supplementaries Which sports star was falsely reported last month to have bought the entire supply of the world’s most expensive cheese, Serbian donkey cheese, for his restaurant? NOVAK DJOKOVIC Only three American golfers won their singles matches on the final day of the Ryder Cup. Jason Duffner was one and the other two share the same surname. Which name?

JOHNSON (Dustin Johnson and Zach Johnson) Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew was awarded a lengthy contract in September. How many years? EIGHT Set by The Chester Road Tavern Vetted by the Nags Head 1. ‘Woman with a Pearl Necklace’ and ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’ were both painted by whom? A. Johannes Vermeer 2. Which composer wrote the ‘Karelia Suite’ and ‘Finlandia’? A. Jean Sibelius 3. Which British newspaper recently placed an advert in an English Language newspaper in Argentina? A. The Sun (defending Britain's sovereignty of the Falkland Islands) 4. Sandy Hook Elementary School is situated in which US town? A. Newtown (Connecticut) 5. What is missing from the following list - King’s Cross, Liverpool Street, Marylebone, …? A. Fenchurch Street (Monopoly Stations) 6. In which war was the Charge of the Light Brigade? A. The Crimean 7. What name was given to the scandal involving bribing of DJs to play certain records? A. Payola 8. In which country would you find The Nullarbor Plain? A.

Australia 9. Which animal appears on the state flag of California? A. Bear 10. Which veteran Irish rock star used to be one of the band ‘Them’? A. Van Morrison 11. Piers Gaveston was alleged to be which English King’s lover? A. Edward II 12. Maritimo are a football team from which country? A. Portugal 13. What does the horned toad squirt from its eyes to deter attackers? A. Blood 14. Name San Francisco’s wheelchair bound detective? A. Ironside 15. Which organisation has its HQ in Langley, Virginia? A. The CIA 16. Taleggio is a type of what foodstuff? A. Cheese 17. Breitling are manufacturers of what everyday item? A. The Wristwatch 18. Which insect's larva are known as 'leatherjackets'? A. Crane Fly 19. From which country did Iceland achieve total independence in 1944? A. Denmark 20. Who refused to accept his best actor Oscar in 1972 in protest at the plight of American Indians? A.

Marlon Brando (The Godfather) 21. Who was the winner of the 'X' Factor in 2012? A. James Arthur 22. Name the 2010 film adapted from the 2009 book 'The Accidental Billionaires'? A. The Social Network 23. What is measured with a ‘Pluviometer’? A. Rainfall 24. Who invented the clockwork radio? A. Trevor Baylis 25. Which Prime Minister implemented the 3-day week? A. Ted Heath 26. In which James Bond film does Oddjob appear? A. Goldfinger 27. On TV, who was Richard Hearne better known as? A. Mr Pastry 28. Which TV show features flatmates Mark and Jeremy? A. Peep Show 29. 'Frank' was the debut album by which artist? A. Amy Winehouse 30. Who scored both goals in Macclesfield Town’s recent 2-1 win over Cardiff? A. Matthew Barnes-Homer 31. Name the manager of Macclesfield Town FC? A. Steve King 32.

Who is the lead vocalist of T'pau? A. Carol Decker 33. What is the name of Tin Tin’s dog? A. Snowy 34. In which US state is the Mojave Desert? A. California 35. Which river has its source near the village of Kemble in the Cotswolds? A. The River Thames 36. Who did Phil Taylor beat in the final of this year’s PDC darts championship? A. Michael Van Gerwen 37. Which jockey rode Frankel in all his races? A. Tom Queally 38. Which Country’s flag features a 24-spoked wheel in the centre? A. India 39. Which city’s name translates into English as ‘good winds’? A. Buenos Aires 40. Who wrote Swallows and Amazons? A. Arthur Ransome 41. What is the capital of Saudi Arabia? A. Riyadh 42. Who was the winner of strictly come dancing in 2012? A. Louis Smith 43. There are two Melbourne based teams in the 2012/13 Australian Big Bash cricket tournament.

One is the 'Melbourne Stars', name the other? A. Melbourne Renegades (accept Renegades) 44. John Lennon, Tina Turner and The Beatles featured on the cover of the first three issues of which publication? A. Rolling Stone magazine 45. Who is the Prime Minister of Russia? A. Dmitry Medvedev 46. Which river's source is in Wales and enters the Atlantic near Bristol? A. The River Severn 47. Herpes Zoster is an illness better known by which name? A. Shingles 48. Burslem and Porthill are suburbs of which UK city? A. Stoke on Trent (accept Stoke) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 49. Who originally recorded the song ‘How sweet it is (to be loved by you)’? A. Marvin Gaye 50. What normally bi-annual sporting event has recently been brought forward by 1 year to avoid the contest occurring shortly before a World Cup? A. The Ashes 51. It was thought Margaret Thatcher was a pogonophobe. What is a pogonophobe afraid of? A. Beards 52.

The Mysterons featured in which 1960s TV series? A. Captain Scarlet 53. What year was the first episode of the TV series Happy Days screened? A. 1974 (accept 1973-1975) 54. Who wrote "The Wealth of Nations"? A. Adam Smith 55. Originally founded by the disgraced cyclist in 1997, the Lance Armstrong Foundation is now better known by what name? A. Livestrong Foundation 56. Who wrote the adventure series of books including Underwater Adventure and Gorilla Adventure? A. Willard Price 57. In which county is Haddon Hall? A. Derbyshire (in Bakewell near Chatsworth Hall) 58. In a restaurant, what is a sommelier's job? A. Wine advisor/expert 59. Since 1748, what does 'trooping the colour' commemorate? A. Birthday of the Queen/British sovereignty 60. In which country is the Black Forest? A. Germany 61. Who wrote 'Mill on the Floss'? A. George Eliot 62.

Who wrote 'Lolita'? A. Vladimir Nabokov 63. In 1956 an area of south Wales spreading into the Bristol Channel was designated Britain's first area of outstanding natural beauty. What is it known as? A. The Gower Peninsula 64. Harrow school's cricket match in Galle on December 26th 2004 was abandoned without a ball being bowled. Why? A. The ground was covered by the tsunami. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 65. What phrase meaning 'nourishing mother' is used to refer to your old school? A. Alma Mater 66. Who explained the riddle of the sphinx? A. Oedipus 67. What is the name of Tim Robbins character in 'The Shawshank Redemption'? A. Andy Dufrain 68. Who composed 'Le Nozze di Figaro'? A. Mozart 69. Which King of England was the son of Jane Seymour & Henry VIII? A. Edward VI 70. Which author wrote 'Bag of Bones', 'Carrie' and 'The Tommyknockers' (amongst many others)? A.

Stephen King 71. Which playwright wrote 'Every Good Boy Deserves Favour', 'Arcadia' and in 2006 'Rock 'n' Roll'? A. Tom Stoppard 72. The first castles in England were built on a raised mound of earth with usually a wooden keep surrounded by a ditch, what were they called? A. Motte-and-Bailey castles 73. Who was the first Tudor king? A. Henry VII 74. Charles Babbage is credited with inventing the first mechanical computer; he died at the age of 79 but in which year? A. 1871 (accept 1861 - 1881) 75. In an interview with Terry Wogan in 1991 who claimed to be the Son of God? A. David Icke 76. Who was the comic actor Arthur Lucan better known as? A. Old Mother Riley 77. Which German concentration camp official was known as the ‘Angel of Death’? A. Josef Mengele 78. Who wrote 'the Principia Mathematica' in 1687? A.

Isaac Newton 79. Where in July 1969 was Prince Charles invested as Prince of Wales? A. Caernarfon Castle 80. Which King of England was killed while hunting in the New Forest in 1100? A. William II 81. Which Mayor of New York City was awarded an honorary knighthood in 2001? A. Rudi Giuliani 82. Who broke into the Queen’s bedroom in Buckingham Palace in 1982? A. Michael Fagen 83. What name is given to the study of insects? A. Entomology 84. Who was the last woman to be hanged in Britain in July 1955? A. Ruth Ellis 85. In the car industry what do the initials MG stand for? A. Morris Garages 86. Who was the first woman to take her seat as an MP? A. Nancy Astor 87. Who is the elephant headed Hindu god of good luck? A. Ganesh 88. Where did Cromwell’s army defeat the Royalists in 1651 to end the Civil War? A.

Worcester --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 89. Which ship famously ran aground off the Scilly Isles in 1967, spilling its oil cargo? A. The Torrey Canyon 90. Which American politician was shot and paralysed by Arthur Bremer in 1972? A. George Wallace 91. What is Pamplona most famous for? A. The Bull Run 92. Melbourne is situated on the banks of which river? A. The Yarra 93. Who wrote ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’? A. Samuel Coleridge 94. Which French tennis player and sportswear producer was known as “Le Crocodile”? A. Rene Lacoste 95. Who was replaced by Peter Mandelson as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in 1999? A. Mo Mowlam 96. What does a lepidopterist study? A. Butterflies and Moths (accept either) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 97. Which fish has the Latin name Esox lucius? A. The Pike 98.

What was the name of the Italian cruise ship which ran aground in January 2012 causing the loss of 32 lives. A. Costa Concordia 99. What is the medical name for the winter vomiting bug, which affected many people over the Christmas period? A. Norovirus 100. What colour is the ‘l’ in the Google logo? A. Green Earth Snapshot • Solway Firth November 25th, 2011 Category: Image of the day United Kingdom - November 8th, 2011 This orthorectified image shows the Solway Firth, a firth that forms part of the border between England and Scotland, between Cumbria (including the Solway Plain) and Dumfries and Galloway. It stretches from St Bees Head, just south of Whitehaven in Cumbria, to the Mull of Galloway, on the western end of Dumfries and Galloway. The Isle of Man (visible at the lower left of the full image) is also very near to the firth. The firth comprises part of the Irish Sea. The coastline is characterised by lowland hills and small mountains.

It is a mainly rural area with fishing and hill farming (as well as some arable farming) still playing a large part in the local economy. Visible in the center of the firth are a series of dots arranged in parallel lines (best observed in full image). These are the turbines of the Robin Rigg Wind Farm, Scotland’s first offshore wind farm, which has been constructed in the Firth, on sandbank midway between the Galloway and Cumbrian coasts. The construction of the windfarm began in 2007, and it was finally completed on 20th April 2010. Sixty Vestas V90-3MW wind turbines have been installed, with an offshore electrical substation. The 180 MW development will provide enough electricity for about 117,000 households. May 19th, 2009 Category: Rivers Isle of Man and Solway Firth, UK - May 11th, 2009 The Isle of Man (bottom) is a self-governing Crown dependency, located in the Irish Sea at the geographical centre of the British Isles.

The island is not part of the United Kingdom (nor of the European Union) but foreign relations, defence, and ultimate good-governance of the Isle of Man are the responsibility of the government of the United Kingdom. Approximately 32 miles (51 km) long and between 8 miles (13 km) and 15 miles (24 km) wide, the island has an area of around 221 square miles (570 km2). In the Irish Sea northeast of the Isle of Man is the Solway Firth, a firth (large sea bay) that forms part of the border between England and Scotland . The coastline of the Solway Firth is characterised by lowland hills and small mountains. The firth’s water itself is generally benign with no notable hazards except some large areas of salt and mud flats which often contain dangerous patches of quicksand that move on a regular basis. Here, its upper reaches appear dark brown from mud flats and from sediments flowing into the firth from the River Waver and the River Wampool.

December 4th, 2008 Category: Image of the day The United Kingdom - December 3rd, 2008 Close-up of England-Scotland border and the Isle of Man Most of the United Kingdom and Ireland can be seen clearly in this virtually cloud-free image, in which only the area around London and the River Thames is covered. The terrain changes from plains and slight hills in the South to the Grampian Mountains in the Scottish Highlands in the North. The first close-up highlights the mountainous region around the England-Scotland border. Sediments flow from the River Waver and the River Wampool into Moricambe Bay, an inlet of the Solway Firth in Cumbria, created by the confluence of the two rivers. Offshore, the Isle of Man can be seen in the Irish Sea. The snow-capped Cumbrian Mountains (England) are visible south of the bay, as are the Southern Uplands (Scotland), north of the bay. There are many lakes near the base of the mountains. Detail of England-Wales border and the River Severn The second close-up focuses on Western England and Wales.

The River Severn is spilling dark brown sediments towards the Celtic Sea, and the cities of Cardiff (Wales) and Bristol (England) can be seen on its northern and southern shores, respectively. Snow covers the peaks of the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog). Please click here for full resolution image (5MB).

Question: Which inlet of the Irish Sea separates Cumbria from Dumfries and Galloway?
Answer: THE SOLWAY FIRTH