© M Alexander - Be Natural B&B 2022
Walk 1 - Port of Counan
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.
Looking back to the
start of the walk
Woods after the farm
Helen enjoying the sun
Map of the area
Abandoned Cown
Cottage
An empty beach as
usual
It is easy to see if
anyone is about
1700s Dovecote
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