IMPORTANT INFORMATION
This is NOT a guided trip to Hestan Island. It is an event there, which you may choose to attend. All attendees are responsible for taking appropriate equipment and supplies and for getting themselves to and from the event on the island. The CO is not responsible for the safety of those who choose to attend or for any problems which arise in attending. You must judge for yourself whether and when it is safe to cross to the island.
The event
This event is in a superb and picturesque location, with an unusual and entertaining approach route. It will take place from 11.30 to noon on Sunday 16 July 2017 at the highest point of Hestan Island, in the Solway Firth, a few miles south of Dalbeattie in Dumfries and Galloway. The island is connected to the mainland at low tide by The Rack, a raised bed of mussels and shingle and the event has been timed so that the island can be reached on foot.
Getting there
There is plenty of parking at the given parking coords. Beyond there it is a private road. The distance to the start of the crossing is about 2.5 miles. A vehicle track leads to Horse Isles Bay then a path goes over to White Port (around 2 miles in all). The remainder is a walk along the coast and down a small cliff to the beach. The aim is to arrive at the start of the crossing around 11.00 and the walk there will take at least an hour but allow longer, as route-finding can be tricky.The suggested route to the Rack is shown below –
NB: It is not possible accurately to estimate tide times and heights so far ahead. About a week before the event date I will be making an announcement to all who have logged on the cache page confirming or changing the timings.
The timetable
These timings have to be flexible and depend on the state of the tide. There will be at least an hour when most of The Rack is uncovered and possibly quite a bit more so the plan is to arrive at least 45 minutes before low tide and start the crossing as soon as the river channel near the shore can be safely crossed.
11.00 ish, arrive at the Rack
11.15 (or earlier if conditions allow) head across The Rack and walk up to the meeting point.
11.30 Arrive. Event starts. There is a 5/5 to pick up nearby GCQP7K. Coffee (bring your own) and cakes (I will provide).
11.43 Low tide.
12.00 Event finishes. Head back at a brisk pace!
12.15. Arrive on the mainland and return to cars.
Terrain and Kit
There is likely to be some rough walking and it can be boggy in places. There will be a short wade at the start of the crossing which could be anywhere from knee to thigh deep. So choose clothes and footware accordingly. As you will be away from your car for 4 hours or more, it would be sensible to take food and drink.
Being (still) part of the UK, the weather could be anything from a heat wave to cold winds and rain so dress appropriately. If conditions are extreme and crossing The Rack looks dangerous, the event will be held at the crossing point instead.
The island
The island measures roughly 460m x 270m and reaches a height of 50m. It was the property of the monks from Dundrennan Abbey in the 12th and 13th centuries.
In the 18th century the island was used as a centre of smuggling activity, with goods being stored in the caves on the south west of the island. And it was mined for tin and copper in the 19th century.
A famous resident of the Island was “Once King Of Scotland” Edward Balliol. He built a Manor House in 1342 after losing his throne. It is now all but gone but the ruins are near the cache.
The island currently has a small cottage, still used as a holiday home, which was built in 1841 with the purpose of accommodating the original lighthouse keeper. The current lighthouse is automatic.
A couple of little amusements connected with the island –
- a place called Daft Ann’s Steps, reputedly because a local girl from the village of Auchencairn tried to make the crossing from the mainland direct to the south end of the island at low tide, instead of taking the far longer (but safer) route via the north end of the island. However, this supposed short cut was not to pay off, for the girl drowned. This is on the other side of the island.
- a rock with a close resemblance to an elephant which is close to The Rack and easy to reach.