Drummore to Castle Clanyard

Circular countryside walk. 9km/5½ miles - allow 3 hours. Minor roads, hard surface and grass tracks.

Stout shoes or boots recommended. Parking is available in Drummore.

Walk up Mill Street, away from the sea. The remains of the old mill can still be seen at its foot. Drummore was once a very busy place, with a working harbour and active fishing port. Nowadays, it is known for being Scotland’s most southerly village and for producing the earliest potatoes north of the border.

Turn right at the top of Mill Street and follow the road to the small village of Kirkmaiden. The old Covenanters’ church here dates back to 1638 and replaces an earlier one near the Mull of Galloway, featured in the East Tarbert to Portankil walk. Go through the village, taking the first road on the right by the telephone box and follow it to the remains of Castle Clanyard. Built for the Gordons of Clanyard, there is little that remains of this 16th century tower house. Parts of it were used to build Logan House and one piece of stone found its way into a barn at nearby Castle Clanyard Farm. At the road junction, turn left and continue through Castle Clanyard Farm, bearing left through the farmyard. Follow the very pleasant track, enjoying good views back to Clanyard Bay, until you meet the road. Turn left, heading back towards Kirkmaiden, then right onto the B7065. Take the track on your left after Several Cottage, passing by the site of Kildonan Church. Nothing remains of it now, but several graves have been found at the site. Continue to follow the quiet track past the ruined farmhouse at Kildonan and enjoy fine views over Luce Bay to the Lake District and Isle of Man on a clear day. Where the track meets the road, turn right and head back into Drummore.