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Barnkirk Point
- Annan, Waterfoot and Summergate Lane
- Arkleton
- Balcary to Rascarrel
- Barnkirk Point
- Castle Douglas Town Trail
- Coastal Walk to Port Castle Bay
- Criffel
- Dalbeattie to Colvend Trail
- Hoddom Castle and farm walks
- Jubilee Path
- Kelhead Water
- Repentance Tower
- River Annan
- Rockcliffe to Sandyhills
- Rounall Wood
- Saint Kentigern's Churchyard
- Screel Hill
- Stairhaven Coastal Walk
- Tarras Water and Whita Hill
- The Hills
- Threave Estate
- Waterloo Monument
Follow this charming countryside walk to where the River Annan and the Solway Firth meet at Barnkirk Point for beautiful sea views.
This walk is ideal for exploring the countryside around Annan and Newbie, along the River Annan and the Solway Firth. Look out for the seabirds and waders on the mud and sand; herons, oystercatchers, turnstones and lapwings can all be seen in season.
Starting from the Town Hall, turn right along the main street, leaving the centre of Annan. Cross the bridge over the River Annan, and walk down the steps on the downstream side of the bridge. Follow the path along the flood bank past the Sustrans National Cycle Network bridge and under the arched sandstone railway bridge. Annan harbour has been renovated - from this side of the river you can see the once thriving Port Street, with its warehouses and merchants houses. The plant opposite is Youngs Bluecrest Sea Foods. Lower down, the quays are still used by local fishing boats.
Climb over the stile, and cross the field to a second stile, which takes you to the riverbank. Follow the river downstream, taking care as the banks are steep and the path narrow. This will lead you down to Barnkirk Point, where the River Annan meets the Solway Firth. The views from here are wonderful - especially over the Solway and the sunsets over Criffel are breathtaking. However, it can be a bleak and windy place too. Robert Burns, when working near here as a excise officer in 1792, described it as 'this wild place of the world'. From here, the path turns west to join a track, past the site of the historic Inn and farmhouse of Waterfoot, now sadly demolished. At this stage, you have two options:
Option A - Follow the track and after about 200 metres turn right at its junction with a tarmac lane and follow this lane back to Newbie.
Option B - Follow the track for about 200 m. At its junction with a tarmac lane go straight on for about another 100 m. Here, turn left up some steps to join the path to the top of Barnkirk Hill which overlooks the mouth of the River Annan. This was the site of Annan Lighthouse which was built of timber in the early 1800s. It was destroyed by fire in the late 1960s, and only the charred base remains. The lighthouse has been replaced with an electric beacon. Return to the tarmac road, then follow the grassy track along the coast. This is a pleasant, easy walk with views across the Solway to Silloth. This track eventually brings you to a small car park at Newbiebarns. There was a large fishing station here until recently. Salmon were caught in stake or trap nets and shipped daily to the English market. Walk past several houses to the crossroads, here turn right to return to Newbie. At the Cochran factory gates turn left, and retrace your steps to Annan Town Hall.
Starting from the Town Hall, turn right along the main street, leaving the centre of Annan. Cross the bridge over the River Annan, and walk down the steps on the downstream side of the bridge. Follow the path along the flood bank past the Sustrans National Cycle Network bridge and under the arched sandstone railway bridge. Annan harbour has been renovated - from this side of the river you can see the once thriving Port Street, with its warehouses and merchants houses. The plant opposite is Youngs Bluecrest Sea Foods. Lower down, the quays are still used by local fishing boats.
Climb over the stile, and cross the field to a second stile, which takes you to the riverbank. Follow the river downstream, taking care as the banks are steep and the path narrow. This will lead you down to Barnkirk Point, where the River Annan meets the Solway Firth. The views from here are wonderful - especially over the Solway and the sunsets over Criffel are breathtaking. However, it can be a bleak and windy place too. Robert Burns, when working near here as a excise officer in 1792, described it as 'this wild place of the world'. From here, the path turns west to join a track, past the site of the historic Inn and farmhouse of Waterfoot, now sadly demolished. At this stage, you have two options:
Option A - Follow the track and after about 200 metres turn right at its junction with a tarmac lane and follow this lane back to Newbie.
Option B - Follow the track for about 200 m. At its junction with a tarmac lane go straight on for about another 100 m. Here, turn left up some steps to join the path to the top of Barnkirk Hill which overlooks the mouth of the River Annan. This was the site of Annan Lighthouse which was built of timber in the early 1800s. It was destroyed by fire in the late 1960s, and only the charred base remains. The lighthouse has been replaced with an electric beacon. Return to the tarmac road, then follow the grassy track along the coast. This is a pleasant, easy walk with views across the Solway to Silloth. This track eventually brings you to a small car park at Newbiebarns. There was a large fishing station here until recently. Salmon were caught in stake or trap nets and shipped daily to the English market. Walk past several houses to the crossroads, here turn right to return to Newbie. At the Cochran factory gates turn left, and retrace your steps to Annan Town Hall.
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