Creetown, Glenquicken Stone Circle and Ballochanamour Wood

Creetown houses the Gem Rock Museum near the start, featuring a private collection of over 2,000 minerals, giant amethyst geodes, a crystal cave, and ultraviolet fluorescent mineral displays.

The main route follows Slakes Road (an 18th-century military lane) beside and through Ballochanamour Wood onto bleak moorland. A steady climb leads to Glenquicken Stone Circle, a henge of 30 stones in a 50-foot circle centered on a necklace-wrapped monolith, noted for astronomical alignments marking the seasons and tides.

The return route passes Billy Diamond's Bridge and Balloch Bridge, diverting through Ballochanamour Wood (Balloch Community Woodland).

The surrounding hills feature the remains of 18th- and 19th-century copper, lead, and silver mines. Descending toward Creetown offers views over the River Cree and Wigtown Sands.

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