Langfauld & Potholm

Distance	Approximate Time	Height Gain	OS Map
8 kms	02:00 (hrs:mins)	20 metres	Explorer 323: Eskdale and Castle o'er Forest

Description

Cross the bridge over the Ewes Water (which you can see from the car park) and continue along the road, soon forking left. On the left is the site of Langholm Castle, of which little real trace now remains, and also the site of the annual Langholm Agricultural Show, held in September and a grand spectacle. You are on the Duchess�s Walk and soon pass the Clan Armstrong Trust Museum, which is well worth a visit. It is open afternoons only from Easter to the end of September, but is closed on Mondays (except for public holidays). At Langholm Lodge, keep right and continue on the road up to Holmhead and on to the North Lodge. You then continue on a clear track through Langfauld Wood. There is a fine variety of trees including spruce, silver fir, Scots pine, Douglas fir and hemlock, as well as areas of rhododendrons which make a lovely showing in spring and early summer. Continue north through the woods for 1km, emerging into a clear-felled area with the Esk below and Potholm Farm visible ahead. Fork left down to the farm. At the farm, turn left twice in quick succession so that the farmyard is not entered and you reach the farm access road. Just beyond Potholm is the site of the former Staplegordon Church, with its cemetery, and also the mound marking the site of Barntalloch Castle. This name is of Gaelic origin and is said to mean �hill of the forges�. Turn right to cross the bridge over the Esk and continue along the narrow road, passing Milnholm Farm, with Clark Fell rising to the right and the Esk down to the left. The road is followed for more than a kilometre past Milnholm. Up to the left are Potholm Hill and Castle Hill, the route of Walk 4. Reach the road-end, turn left and in a few metres turn left again into the woods. Follow the old path down through the woods, still with the Esk below to the left. This path is being restored as part of the Langholm Walks project. The path eventually winds its way down to the river bank and reaches the Duchess Bridge. Do not cross the bridge but continue on a broad path, turning right by a wall to reach the school sports field. Follow the edge of this area round to the right and go up steps to the road. Turn left along the road, back to the town centre, over the bridge, and left again to return to Kilngreen.

Access Info

From Annan follow the B720 to Langholm.
For public transport from Dumfries, there are a number of services via Lockerbie and Annan with a change for Langholm.
Dumfries to Lockerbie - 81,117,175
Lockerbie to Langholm - 103,112
Dumfries to Annan