Reopening The Polmaddy To Carsphairn Pack Road As The ‘Glenkens Pilgrims Way’

Over recent months a massive project to re-open one of the areas most evocative and special historic routes has been taking place, running from the deserted settlement of Polmaddy to Carsphairn – now being re-launched as the ‘Glenkens Pilgrims Way’. The path construction works are now complete, with plans underway for the signage and other interpretation features along the route.

The historic path route from Carsphairn to Polmaddy, known locally as the Pack Road, is part of what was for more than 500 years the main route for travellers and the movement of goods from the North down through the Glenkens to the coast.  This path formed an important part of the network of pilgrim’s routes across South West Scotland which brought pilgrims from Glasgow and Edinburgh to the cradle of Christianity in Scotland at Whithorn. Historic records show that King James IV used part of this route on one of his many pilgrimages on foot in the late 1490s to visit the shrine of Saint Ninian.

The upland part of the route, South of Carsphairn, provides evidence of human activity from prehistoric times with numerous stone cairns, including Cairn Avel, whose construction predates the Egyptian Pyramids, and later Christian era monuments together with abandoned steadings and enclosures. This improved part of the route ends at the ruins of the agricultural settlement or ferm toun of Polmaddy which was finally abandoned in the early 1800s.

Despite the historic importance of the route, it was gradually disappearing, and urgent attention was required to save a route rich in the history of the area. The path itself was has undergone significant refurbishment. Parts of the path route were completely impassable, and the improvement of the path was technically complex as a result of the difficult and poorly drained upland terrain and lack of access by road.  The path design was 3 years in the making and construction involved careful planning, the support of local landowners and the movement of 800 tonnes of construction material by helicopter.

The improved path is proving to be a very popular walking route over wild upland terrain with magnificent views of the Rhins of Kells, through peaceful forest planting to emerge at the enigmatic ruins of Polmaddy.

Jonathan Barrett, Galloway Glens Land Management & Access Officer who led on the delivery of the path improvements, said:

“The recently completed Glenkens Pilgrims Way project has seen the completion of 7 km of improvement works to revive what was barely accessible to all but the most determined walker. Although this was a technically demanding project it presented a once in a lifetime opportunity to preserve and protect a much loved and historically important local path route for future generations. The next step will be to plan suitable signage and interpretation that allows the user to better understand the surrounding landscape as they pass.

A particular thanks to the landowners along the route for their support: The Sinclair Family in Carsphairn, Czernin Kinsky Scottish Company Ltd and Forestry & Land Scotland.

Gerry Cinderby, New Galloway Resident and member of Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LiNG), was involved in the planning and scoping of the project. Gerry was one of the first people to walk the improved route, adding:

“The possibility of creating a long-distance walk through the Glenkens using mainly existing trails was one of my suggestions during an early meeting between the Galloway Glens Scheme and LING. I am delighted that it was enthusiastically adopted by the Galloway Glens Scheme and that the first section along the old Drovers road from Carsphairn to Polmaddy has been completed. This part had become almost impassable without waders and its resurrection is important for its historical significance as well as rewarding users with some fine views. Well done to all involved!”

McNabb Laurie, Galloway Glens Team Leader, said:

“None of this would be possible without the funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, matched to a grant from the Scottish Natural Heritage administered ‘Improving Public Access’ (‘IPA’) scheme. Many thanks to all involved, we hope to formally launch the route with project partners in due course.”