The Eleventh Langholm Walking Festival: 25th - 27th May 2012

Welcome to the Langholm Walking Festival

The eleventh Langholm Walking Festival will be held over the weekend of 25th - 27th May 2012. On each day there is a selection of guided walks which will explore the beautiful countryside around Langholm. Evening entertainment will be available on Friday and Saturday.

The walks are based on The Langholm Walks Network, created in summer 2000.

There are currently 14 fully way marked walks in place, accompanied by a descriptive booklet. For more information on the network, please contact The Langholm Initiative at the address at the foot of this page.

Walking in and around Langholm

The Langholm area is characterised by beautiful river valleys between green, rounded hills. The hills rise to 400-500 metres (1300-1600 feet) - many of them commanding magnificent views. The Festival walks range in length from 6.5km/4 miles up to 17.5km/ 11 miles.

Due to the sensitive nature of the local environment, some routes near, or in, the SSSI may be subject to change.

THE FESTIVAL PROGRAMME

The headquarters for the Walking Festival will be in The Buccleuch Centre (BC) in Buccleuch Square. All festival walks will start from the BC. Car Parking is available at the Kilngreen, across the river from Mary Street, or at The Buccleuch Centre. Refreshments will be provided at the end of each walk.

FRIDAY 25th May

Official Opening

The festival will be opened at 13.30 by Ian Landles, well known raconteur, Hawick personality and co-author of 'Walking in the Land of the Reivers'

The opening will be in the Buccleuch Centre

Walk 1: FLORA WALK (new route)

Approx. 6.5km/4 miles, circular low-level

Start 14.00. Finish BC approx 17.00

This walk will explore the flora of the surrounds of Langholm. Easy pace. Mostly path & track - short section of tarmac.

EASY/MODERATE

Walk Leaders: Harry Kay & Mike Tinker

Walk 2: ROUND HOUSE, JENNY NOBLE'S GILL, SKIPPER'S BRIDGE, GASKELL'S, BECKS BURN

8km/5 miles, circular, low-level

Start 14.00. Finish BC approx. 17.00

Lovely wander around the W. and S. of Langholm crossing the Border Esk, Wauchope Water and Becks Burn. Mostly track and path, short section of tarmac.

EASY

Walk Leader: Gavin Graham

Walk 3: MID HILL, CALFIELD RIG AND BECKS BURN

10km/6 miles, circular, Max Ht. 326m

Start 14.00. Finish BC, approx 17.00.

The central part of this walk follows a long ridge which offers superb views in all directions. Track and pathless open hill.

STRENUOUS

Walk Leader: Ming Beattie

Evening entertainment

either...

At the Bucleuch Centre: Talon - the best of the Eagles. Pre-show meal available at the Centre. If you wish to book for this show, please contact the Buccleuch Centre on 013873 81196

or...

'An Evening of Old Langholm' at the Masonic Social Club prersented by the Langholm Archive Group - starts at 20.00 with cheese and wine. £4, book on walks booking form.

SATURDAY 26th MAY

Walk 4: THE MEIKLEDALE ROUND

16km/10 miles, Circular, Max Ht. 564m

Start 09.30 Bus from BC. Finish Ewes Hall approx 15.30. Bus back to Langholm after refreshments. Bring a packed lunch.

A chance to walk the full length of the Meikledale horseshoe. Some track at start and finish, the rest open hillside, difficult and wet underfoot at times.

A wonderful ridge with good views.

STRENUOUS

Walk Leader: Charlie Graham

Walk 5: TWISLEHOPE, HARTSGARTH FELL, LODGEGILL, AULDSHIELS HILL, EWES HALL

17.5km/11 miles, Linear, Max Ht. 551m

Start 09.00. Bus from BC. Finish Ewes Hall approx 15.30. Bus back to Langholm after refreshments. Bring a packed lunch.

Some track, but mostly open hillside, difficult and wet underfoot at times. After an initial climb, a long ridge walk with good views.

STRENUOUS

Walk Leader: Mike Tinker

Walk 6: MOORLAND/WILDLIFE WALK

Approx. 10km/6 miles, circular, Max Ht. 355m

Start 09.30. Finish BC approx 15.00

Bring a packed lunch.

This walk will explore the wildlife of the SSSI. Led by local experts. Track and path. Relatively easy pace.

MODERATE

Walk Leaders: Mac Hotson & Cat Barlow

Walk 7: MID HILL, CRAIG HILL, HENWELL AND LANGFAULD

12.5km/8 miles, circular, Max Ht.326m

Start 10.30. Finish BC approx. 15.00.

Bring a packed lunch.

Follows a ridge to the W. of the Esk involving an initial steep climb. Second half fairly easy down the E. side of the Esk through woodland.

Track and open hill.

MODERATE/STRENUOUS

Walk Leader: Stuart Fletcher

Walk 8: TARGET BURN, MACDIARMID MEMORIAL, CASTLE CRAIGS, RASHIEL, BROOMHOLMSHIELS

12.5km/8 miles, circular, Max Ht. 300m

Start 10.30. Finish BC approx 15.00

Bring a packed lunch.

After following the Ewes Valley, this walk climbs steeply to the MacDiarmid Memorial and Castle Craigs. Returning to Langholm around Whita Hill. Track, path, some rough hillside.

MODERATE

Walk Leader: Gavin Graham

Evening entertainment

A buffet will be served in the Buccleuch Centre, commencing at 19.00, followed by an evening of informal, local entertainment. Cost £8 inclusive of buffet and entertainemnt. Please book on walks booking form.

SUNDAY 27th MAY

Walk 9: THE JOHNNIE ARMSTRONG WALK

11km/7 Miles, linear, low level

Start 09.30. Bus from BC. Finish BC approx 15.00. Bring a packed lunch.

Walks predominantly along the banks of the River Esk. Includes an opportunity to have a guided tour around Gilnockie Tower (built approx. 1525) the stronghold of the famous Border Reiver Johnnie Armstrong.

EASY

Walk Leader: Ian Lindsay

Walk 10: CANONBIE TO LANGHOLM VIA CLAYGATE, HOWGILLCLEUCH, AND THE TARRAS VALLEY

15km/ 9.5 Miles, linear, Max Ht. 160m

Start 09.30 Bus from BC. Finish BC approx. 15.30. Bring a packed lunch.

A longish, moderate walk including the picturesque Fairy Loup and beautiful wooded Tarras valley. Very quiet tarmac, track, path, and small amount of open ground.

MODERATE

Walk leader: Kenneth Pool

Walk 11: TERRONA HILL, TARRAS RIG, MIDDLEMOSS, RASHIEL, MONUMENT & WHITA WELL

14.5km/9 miles, circular, Max Ht. 355m

Start 10.30. Finish BC approx. 15.30

Bring a packed lunch.

Exploring the ridge to the E. of the Esk with excellent views. Track, path, open hill.

MODERATE/STRENUOUS

Walk Leaders: Bob & Nancy McLure

Walk 12: LANGHOLM'S TWELVE BRIDGES

11km/7 miles, circular, low-level

Start 11.00. Finish BC approx. 15.00

Bring a packed lunch.

A lovely walk around the Muckle Toon visiting and crossing all twelve bridges that Tom can think of!! Track, path and some tarmac.

EASY

Walk Leader: Tom Stothart

General Notes

Please do not take cars to the walk starts. Buses are provided where needed.

All walks will be led by experienced leaders who will explain as much as possible about the history, wildlife etc of the area as you walk. The aim is to enjoy the countryside so the pace will be geared to this aim.

Please note that dogs are not allowed on the Festival Walks, as most of the walks cross livestock areas with both sheep and cattle. This is in line with the policy adopted by other walking festivals in livestock areas.

It is advisable to wear proper walking boots at all times and be prepared for all types of weather. Waterproofs are ESSENTIAL on ALL walks.

For charges, please see Booking Form. Refreshments as indicated are included in the costs of the walks.

The Festival Walks are not designed for children except perhaps Walk 6, The Moorland/Wildlife Walk. Please note that any children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.

Booking is essential to avoid disappointment as the walks are in high demand. A printable booking form is available here Fees payable to 'Langholm Walks Group'.

A local accommodation leaflet can be obtained from The Langholm Initiative at walks@langholminitiative.co.uk

Phone 01387 380914