Woods after the farm

Abandoned Cown Cottage - built like the B&B

An empty beach as usual

Beggar’s Row today

Beggar’s Row 1920s

A 4 mile track way walk to a shingle beach This is the route of the very first naked walk I did. It is relatively easy - the uphill sections are long rather than steep. The beach is accessible at all heights of tide. Start 1 - 4 miles. Time from cottage to beach 2hrs Start 2 - 4 miles. Time from cottage to beach 2hrs Start 3 - 2 mile. Time from church to beach 1hr This is a pebble beach with interesting rock formations on the left end, to the right it extends for miles around the coast. The majority of this walk can be done naked, it is up to you if you want to put clothes on in the parts I have suggested. One of the reassuring things about this walk is that as the track runs very straight for long distances it is easy to see if other people are about. For all start points you will need to be dressed. There are 3 ways to start this walk depending on weather conditions. A long spell of rain causes deep puddles early on the walk, but there is a way to avoid this. If any gate is closed it means there could be cows further on so please make sure you close them. Start 1 - Assuming it is dry you cross the road from the B&B and walk through the farm. Heading up the hill you join a track that was the original road for centuries until 1800s. It is usually at this point you can get undressed. Heading up the track you reach the highest point about 120m above sea level with views of the Galloway hills on the left and Luce Bay and the Rhins behind you. From here you descend in stages passing Cown Cottage, our B&B was built in a similar way until it was developed. Just after Cown Cottage there is a dip which fills to a deep puddle if it has rained. If dry you pass through 2 gates and on your left is a wood. At this point Start 2 route joins Start 1. Start 2 - This route misses the puddle. Turn left out of the cottage and walk down the road until you see the ruined cottage on the right. Just before you reach it there is a track entrance into the trees. The path takes you through the wood passed a farm on the right (never seen anyone working there). When you come out of the trees ahead of you is the track running right to left you would have walk along from Start 1. Turn left onto the track. The path starts to rise again, this time there is a row of buildings know as Beggar’s Row (old farm workers cottages). As you reach the top you again have views across the field on the right to farm buildings. If you see workers there I would suggest getting dressed. If you see no one it’s up to you if you want to carry on naked. Down the other side of the rise you head down towards two cottages - these are unoccupied. Here you meet the roadway to the farm which is is where Start 3 joins Start 1 route. Start 3 - This is a good way of reaching the beach if you don’t want to walk quite so far. Drive to Glasserton church, there is a large parking area. Walk away from the church to pick up the path on the left this takes you to the two cottages on the right. Here the path on the right is where Start 1 (and Start 2) joins the route. Head towards the farm buildings. Passing the abandoned houses and sheds on your left you will see a tower on your right which is a dove cote from 1700s. At the end of the row of buildings turn left which takes you onto a path through a wood. The path has been flat through the farm now descends to towards more farm building at the bottom of the slope. The house on the right at the crossroads of tracks is abandoned. Again it is worth check for any farm activity. At the crossroads turn right. You pass the buildings into open farm land. Ahead is a long straight path pointing to the sea in the distance. The path starts a winding descent to the beach. Again you have a good vantage point to see if there is someone on the beach. To the right it is very open with grassy areas on top of a large pebble mound. In the past I have walked for miles long the pebbles, but it changes every year depending on how winter storms have effected the beach. On the left you can walk around large rock outcrops which offer a lot of privacy and also act as wind breaks. A bit further along are the remains of shipwrecks - a boiler being the most obvious part. Reverse your route to get home. Note - this is the only walk that is safe to do at night by moonlight

Map of the area

Looking back to the start of the walk

Helen enjoying the beach