Langholm and Whita Hill

The walk begins on the riverbank where Ewes Water joins the cool, clear River Esk, famous for its trout fishing. Across the river is Langholm Castle, a ruined border tower left over from the area's colourful, if bloody, past.

You leave the town past Whita Well (whose pure waters fuelled illicit whisky stills) and climb Whita Hill. The moorland mixes dense mature heather and succulent young shoots supporting red grouse, ring ouzel, curlews, skylarks, and whinchats. The hill is the scene of the annual Common Riding, where a stream of horses makes a ceremonial gallop to the summit on the last Friday of July (a tradition since 1759).

From the summit (355 metres above sea level) with its impressive obelisk to Sir John Malcolm (Governor of Bombay in 1827), views span the Cheviot Hills, Kielder Forest, and Solway Firth. Returning across the River Esk suspension bridge into Langholm (famous for tweed manufacturing), the route continues into woodland past Stubholm Farm (17th-century home of Archie Armstrong, court jester to Charles I).

The route follows a woodland walk above Wanchope Water. Passing Wanchope Church ruins (immortalised by William Wordsworth) and Wanchope Castle site, the path descends through parkland back to the town near an 1775 bridge, built by apprentices including Thomas Telford.

Acknowledgment: Text derived from the Out and Out Series; Discovering the Countryside on Foot. Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia.