This is a fairly quick and easy multi around Barloch Moor and
should take around an hour. The moor is a designated LNCS (local
nature conservation site) and provides a quiet wee suburban green
place - although, it can be quite popular with dog walkers, and
it's good for a picnic in summer !
It's also quite popular with wildlife. You'll see bunnies,
possibly deer, lots of birds, and if you keep an eye out... there
are some interesting wee things in and around the burn.
Some of the paths can be mucky, particularly when it's been
raining, and the bridges can be slippery so appropriate footwear
would be boots/wellies. Please stick to the paths.
Bring tweezers or a small nail file. Also, bring a pen and paper
- you'll need to write things down :-)
If driving, please park at either of the suggested coords,
nearby streets can be busy. Please DO NOT park on Mugdock Road,
you'll likely be causing an obstruction.
Ready to begin your wee tour of the wee moor ? Good. Make your
way to Stage 1, you'll see a signpost. Each letter on this sign
post equals a number, where A=1, B=2... Z=26. Write down each
letters corresponding number and add them together. This is
'A'.
Stage 2 is a short northerly walk up the path. At the 'crossing'
of 2 paths, you'll see a stone marker (the moor was designated a
'Millennium Field', unfortunately the sign is broken) - count how
many levels of bricks there are from the base to the top, on the
left/west side. This is 'B'.
Continue on up the path for a couple of minutes, then turn right
and downhill. You'll come to a bridge at Stage 3. How many
planks/beams make up the surface of the bridge ? This is 'C'.
Next, turn left up the hill and follow the path. You'll see an
interesting 'twisted' tree at the brow of the hill. Continue on
down the path and take the next left. You'll come to another
signpost at the road, Stage 4 - repeat the exercise from Stage 1.
This is 'D'.
Now, go back down the way you came turning left when possible
and follow this new path. Stage 5 is at the next bridge - though
it's not the bridge we're interested in this time. On your right,
there's a short boardwalk along the side of Tannoch Burn, take a
wander along... how many planks make up the surface of the
boardwalk ? This is 'E'.
At the end turn left, follow back to the main path then turn
right and follow the path to Stage 6. How many benches are there ?
This is 'F'. Take a seat on one of them, you need to do your sums
now !
The Solution to final coords is as follows:
N 55° ((E+1)/F)-(C+1).(ExB)-(E-4) W (B-F)°
((A+1)/C)+F.(A+2B+C+D+2E+F+1)
As a final note. The area you're now in has some interesting
history. In the late 1700s the Kilpatrick Relief Church was
established. Initially open-air services were held on Barloch Moor
in a hollow beside Tannoch Burn - a spot still known as the
Preaching Braes. It has become traditional to hold an
interdenominational service there annually on Easter morning.