Changes happen...

Sometimes, after a Walking Scotland Series volume has been printed and published, we get reports from walkers and landowners telling us about changes which affect the walk directions given. The printed text may now be inaccurate, misleading or even potentially hazardous.

On this page we list the more important problems reported, under the headings of the volumes concerned. It's a good idea to check this before using any guide in the series, in case one of the walks you might follow is under review.

The authors and publishers file all these reports to ensure that the directions given are checked and amended before a volume is reprinted.

VOLUME 3 - WALKING WESTER ROSS (Reprint with revisions, March 2011)

Walk 21 - An Torr and the Badachro River

A walker's report tells us that a wire fence erected between the road and the hillside obstructs the start of this walk, as described in paragraph number 1.

Until we are able to describe such a route, we suggest that resourceful walkers may be able to find their own way over the rough ground to this objective, and then follow the rest of the walk down to and along the river.

VOLUME 6 - WALKING ORKNEY (Third edition 2007)

Walk 10 – Italian Chapel,Burray and Hunda

Ownership of the Island of Hunda has changed since the book was published and access may be restricted.

VOLUME 10 - WALKING THE ISLES OF MULL, IONA, COLL AND TIREE (First edition 2008)

Walkers using the original (2008) print of this volume should refer to the notes given here before setting out on any walks quoted.

Walk 1 - Glenaros from Salen

The White House of Aros is now again occupied as a dwelling and its grounds are being restored. The route described in paragraphs 2 and 3 of the current edition is now inappropriate. Walkers are asked to follow the revised direction given here and on the revised map displayed.

Revised paragraph 2; follow directions in the first two sentences, then:-

Pass below the ruins of the castle to reach a gateway signed "White House of Aros Residents Only". Turn left here on the Aros Castle circular walk, climbing the slope through trees to pass through a gate. Continue to Aros Mains on a metalled road and turn right at the junction. At the end of the road pass through a metal gate to the left of a building, and follow the grassy path through a wooden gate. Stroll the enclosed ride to reach a wood on your right. Follow the track down along the edge of the wood to reach pastureland and a gate to your right leading into the open woodland. Follow the rushy track to a junction, fork left to cross a bay and bear left to reach the pier.

Revised paragraph 3 - Ignore the route described and instead return from the pier to Aros Castle by your outward route, and follow the quiet road beside the estuary. Cross the road bridge and continue beside the road towards Salen for about 400 yards/ 330m. Just before the road bends south take the track leading off right, past Fonn Aline. Then rejoin the outward route, as described in paragraph 4.

Walk 7 - Dun Ara and Dun Ban. Glen Gorm

A diversion from the directions given in the book is necessary because of the erection of a strong wire fence, which obstructs the original route described in paragraph 3. The directions at the beginning of paragraph 2 also need clarification.

Paragraph 2 - the first sentence and the start of the second sentence should read:-

Go through a gate and take the grassy right branch, which runs down to a track. Turn right on this and go over a stile between two gates….. (then follow the rest of the paragraph, as printed).

Paragraph 3 and 4 - Follow the first three sentences,as printed, as far as "... the next basalt outcrop, which is Dun Ban". Ignore the rest of the printed text of paragraph 3 and of paragraph 4 and instead:-

Leave the path and head right towards Dun Ban. You can only view the Dun, not visit. Cross a tiny burn in a hollow and then go up the far side towards a new fence.

Revised paragraph 4 - Follow this fence inland to reach a wall. Go through a gate and on up the slope with the fence on your right to a gate into the corner of the pasture to your right. Stroll down towards a stream lined with willows where you may flush woodcock and aim for the small wood on the far side of the field. Go through a gate to turn left on a reinforced track through the trees. Look for hen harriers all about this area in winter, and you may also see kestrels and buzzards.

Then follow the original paragraph 5, back to Glen Gorm.

Walk 22 - Ardalanish

A diversion is suggested because some walkers have reportedly been distressed by difficulties in climbing a gully described in the original route.

It is now proposed that you park and follow directions in point 1 as printed. At point 2, line 4, cross the stile as described and follow the diversion:-

3. Go along the path on the other side of the stile to a gap in a ruined wall. Bear right, parallel to the wall crossing boggy ground, towards the cliffs. There is a faint path leading to a grassy gully. Climb quite steeply up the right-hand side (you may have to use your hands at one place), then go through a gap in the old fence and on up beside a small burn. Soon the gradient eases. Cross the burn and walk up a grassy path beside a wall on the left. Follow this path as it swings away to the right, but near the top of the hill above the bracken wind round to the left to reach a seat. (The viewpoint in the original text and on the revised map displayed here).

Then follow the trail past the white house to the farm buildings, as described in the last lines of the original point 3.

Walk 26 Port Donain

This walk leaves the road by Auchnacraig Farm, and the farm owner has objected to walkers going through the farmyard passing private domestic buildings.

The directions at the start of point 1 in the book should be ignored and instead:-

From the road leading back from the car park, go past the farm entrance for about twenty metres to the start of a wood on the left. Take a path here which goes uphill along the edge of the wood through bracken. Soon the path begins to contour and (now signed) runs along above a deer fence. Where the deer fence turns abruptly left, cross the continuing sheep fence by a stile and descend quite steeply to a gate onto a farm track. Turn right on the track.

Then follow the rest of point 1 from "where the track divides…" and continue by the directions in point 2.

At point 3, after the first sentence ending "back to the farm": turn left as indicated at the gate in the deer fence to climb to the stile, and retrace your outward route back to the road. Do not walk through the farmyard.

VOLUME 11 - WALKING DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY

Walk 8 - Isle of Whithorn to St Ninian's cave

When the current edition was compiled it was found (see point 6 and the following paragraph) that the coastal path marked on maps was obstructed and dangerous. Happily, much work has been done to clear and make safe this path. It is now possible to continue along this path over Burrow Head, past Morrach Farm and then by the farm access road back to the village: a very pleasing diversion.

Walk 29 - Manquhill

On the return route described in the current edition, a notice has been placed on a gate reached in point 6, stating that there is no pedestrian access along the road passing through Cornharrow.

It is proposed that walkers who have followed the directions in point 6 as far as "once Manquhill Farm" should now turn right instead of left on reaching the T-junction of tracks, continuing up hill to rejoin the S.U.W. Turn left and follow the S.U.W, using higher ground where necessary to avoid the worst of the bog. A farm access track is joined and then the road is reached. Turn left to return to your car.

VOLUME 19 - WALKING THE SCOTTISH BORDERS AND EAST LOTHIAN

Walk 12 - Watch Water Reservoir and Twin Law

A walker reports that, since the publication of this volume, contractors have carved a motor road along the course of the Herring Road, to serve the construction of a wind farm. The Southern Upland Way has been diverted to one side of the road. It is still possible to follow the route as printed, (at point 2), although the old road has lost much of its charm.

Look out for the point approaching the Watch Water, where the S.U.W. turns right to start the ascent of Twin Law, and follow it to the summit. There is now no footbridge to be crossed.