Target Burn & Whita Hill, Langholm

Distance	Approximate Time	Height Gain	OS Map
6 kms	01:20 (hrs:mins)	100 metres	Explorer 323: Eskdale & Castle O'er Forest

Description

Walk north on the A7, out of town. Pass Whitshiels (caf�) and when the pavement ends, cross and walk facing the traffic. Children and dogs should be kept very closely here. Do not cross Highmill Bridge with the road but continue straight ahead on the track running along the east side of the Ewes Water. In spring and summer there are many wild flowers along here including coltsfoot, campion and wild daffodils. In about 500 metres the track bends right and soon ends. Go down to the left and cross the burn by the stones to take the clear path slanting back up the bank on the opposite side. The little glen is named on OS maps as Far Whitshiels Cleuch but is known locally as Target Burn, the name possibly deriving from the siting of a rifle range here for firing practice at the time of both World Wars. At the top of the bank, turn right and cross the stone dyke by a stile. Continue following the dyke and forest edge uphill, over rough, pathless ground, which is often wet. You may find orchids here in summer and also other plants such as gentian and asphodel. At the end of the wood, pick up a quad bike track and follow it across the burn. When the track dives off right through a gateway, stay on the left side of the dyke and follow it uphill to the road, again on rough, pathless ground, which can be slow going. On reaching the road, turn left for a short distance to the memorial celebrating the life of the poet Hugh MacDiarmid. He was born in Langholm in 1892 and died in 1978, and his widow Valda unveiled the memorial, which takes the form of an open book inscribed with symbols linked to MacDiarmid�s verse, in 1985. A cairn gives more detail of his life. From the memorial, follow the broad track uphill to Langholm�s most famous landmark, the Malcolm Monument on the summit of Whita Hill. It was erected in 1835. The monument is to Major General Sir John Malcolm and is effusive about his character: �no man was more liberal in appreciating and bringing forward merit to others, whilst in the intercourse of private life he was the ornament and delight of every society�his memory is cherished in the hearts of grateful millions�. Whatever Sir John�s virtues, his monument commands a wonderful panoramic view. When you are ready to leave the monument, head directly downhill towards Langholm on a clear path, which provides a rapid descent route. A short diversion leftwards under the power lines will lead you to the Whita Well with its metal drinking cup. Continue on the path and cross a stile into the unsurfaced lane known as the Whita Road, with the golf course on the left. At Arkinholm Terrace, continue steeply downhill on a tarmac path to reach the centre of town, and turn right along the main street to return to the car park.

Access Info

From Dumfries follow the A75 to Annan, 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.