Duchess's Drive

Today was a good day for hiking so we dropped the Indy kids at school, packed the compulsory flask of tea, with cheese and pickle sandwiches then headed for Bowhill House. The Duchess's Drive is a moderate 7 mile hike through woodland and over moorland north west of Bowhill House. Taking the right at the forked junction, before ascending into the woodlands that grace the Pernassie Hill, follow the track through a gate to take you onto the high moorland then sweeping up to the north around Fastheugh Hill with the option to walk out to Newark Hill's summit to take in this spectacular view if the weather permits. Today the weather was rather misty with the rain coming down on the high ground so we continued onwards to Black Andrew Wood at a quick march with a open view of the Yarrow Valley. The woodland itself has a magnificent stand of Douglas Fir, planted in 1923. The route was designed as a carriage way for people to enjoy the mix of species and the age of trees allows for a variety of wildlife including Goshawks and Great Spotted Woodpeckers. Out on the open hills the lairds Grouse Butts are plentiful with many a noisy call of the Grouse ( not black grouse ) made when disturbed from their heather hide-away as we passed in close range. The final stretch takes us down around the ruins of Newark Castle, which entered the historic record in 1423b as the "New Werk", built by the Douglas family to replace an earlier stronghold (imaginatively described as the "Oldworck"). The castle was attacked by English armies twice in the 16th century and fell to the forces of Oliver Cromwell in 1650. In the 18th century the castle had its roof removed along with most of the dressed stone facings.

Black Grouse "Arran"

Conservations have released nine Black Grouse into the wild in an attempt to re-establish the birds on the Isle of Arran. A total of 14 pairs were brought to the island in February. The female birds will be released after the males have had time to establish territories. The last sighting of a black grouse on the Scottish island was in 2000. The birds have been electronically tagged so that their movements can be tracked during the breeding season. Kate Sampson, a senior ranger for the National Trust for Scotland, said "We want the birds to get the best possible start in their new life on Arran, so we are taking all the steps we can to keep their stress levels to a minimum, it is important that they can be freed with as little fuss as possible" TheTamshee: approves of this worthy initiative - orchestrated by Arran Black Grouse Group, Arran Natural History Heritage and the National Trust for Scotland. Raise your glass "through the teeth an ur the gums, look out belly here she comes" nectar to those who like a dram!