Screel Hill – The View over Auchencairn Bay
Screel is only 344 metres high, but it's a rough, rocky little hill with one of the loveliest views on the Solway coast.
From the top you look down over the Rough Firth and Auchencairn Bay, its islands and sands, and on a clear day across the water to the Lake District fells. It's a short, steep morning, with a scramble up to a big view.
- Time
- Two to three hours there and back.
- The path
- A rough, steep hill path over rock.
- Where to start
- Forestry and Land Scotland's car park, free; nearest postcode DG7 1QJ.
- Set off
- In daylight, on a clear, settled day; from November to February set off by noon.
- When to go
- All year in clear, settled weather, by the felling diversion; from November to February, set off by noon.
- Dogs
- Keep dogs close, away from the felling.
- Children
- Rough and steep near the top: for older children used to hills.
- Toilets
- None at Screel; public toilets in Castle Douglas.
- Before you set out
- Tree felling under way: follow the signed diversion to the summit and any contractor's instructions.
The walk
Forestry and Land Scotland's car park for Screel is free, with no toilets; there are public toilets in Castle Douglas, and the nearest postcode is DG7 1QJ. From the car park the path climbs through the forest and then up open, rocky ground to the top, at 344 metres. It's rough and steep in places, so wear boots, and allow two to three hours there and back.
The view takes in the Rough Firth and Auchencairn Bay, with the Lake District fells across the Solway on a clear day. Harvesting is under way to clear trees blown down in recent storms. The summit is still reached by a signed diversion, and contractors may be working near the forest roads, so follow the diversion signs and do as they ask.
The top is exposed to low cloud and strong wind, so save it for a clear, settled day. From November to February, set off by noon to be down in daylight. Check for ticks afterwards, and keep dogs close.
If it rains
Open, rocky ground at the top with no shelter, and no view in low cloud. In rain or a strong wind, leave it for a clearer day.
For further reading, before you go.
Photograph by Stephen Campbell via Google