It was another lovely evening and time for some exercise. We decided to take the riverside walk following the tidal waters of the River Dee up to Tongland Bridge. A three and a half mile stroll along a level path felt doable and would take us around a couple of hours if we didn’t stop too many times to take photos.
“While looking towards the north the scene is truly delightful, the banks of the river, from Tongland to the sea, being peculiarly rich in natural beauty. In the foreground is the river sparkling in the sun’s rays, and winding like a silver thread among the green meadows; while the grounds around Compstone, sloping gently to the river’s margin, are clothed with plantations of great freshness and beauty.”
~ Rambles in Galloway, by M. McL., Harper.1876.
The tree-lined Dee Walk begins at the end of the Kirkcudbright bridge and continues upstream alongside the river.
At the end of the walk several paths lead off back into town, but carry on across the open grass and then after crossing a wooden footbridge (3/4 mile) turn left and walk along the flood embankment by the riverside hedgerow.
Unfortunately it was low tide, so the walk wasn’t as picturesque as it may be when the river is in full flow. Mud banks aren’t the prettiest of things, but still it was a lovely sunny evening and the wet mud glistened silver in the late sunlight.
Several abandoned boats provided photo opportunities
And a cormorant standing out on the sand bank drying his wings
There are good views over the reed beds and the odd bench provides a rest and chance to look back at the town.
Just before the Bridge, there is an attractive strip of deciduous woodland, with some steep drops by the river side.
And finally we reached the bridge. Which proved very difficult to photograph because of all the trees and scrub in front of it. This is a Thomas Telford design with three Gothic-pointed arches. The crenellated towers and the corbelled parapets are the work of Alexander Nasmyth.
We returned to the town by retracing our steps, though we could have followed the road back as there is a roadside footpath. There we picked up some excellent fish and chips from Polarbites and took them back to our cottage to eat.
If you enjoy a walk, short or long, then you may enjoy visiting Jo’s Monday Walk where you are in for a treat.
TRAVEL WORDS 
Is there anywhere you go that ISN’T picturesque, Jude …? 🙂
I do try to avoid them 😉 And if I did I wouldn’t take any photographs.
That bridge is gorgeous. I’m imagining a rotund troll under there licking his lips. Those abandoned boat shots are stunning too 🙂
The best way to get a photo of the bridge is probably by standing in the middle of the river!
I shall expect that from you next time then! 🙂
A nice place to visit Jude. I especially liked the photos of the abandoned boats.
Regards as always, Pete. x
Those boats were very photogenic 🙂
Those boats are great!
Love the abandoned boats and the old viaduct…..
Yes, the decay would definitely appeal to you Sue 🙂
Wouldn’t it just! 🙂
What a gorgeous walk you’ve shown us. Absolutely divine. I ask the same question as M-R, ❤
Thanks Tess 🙂
Yes a lovely stroll alongside the river, though it would have been nicer with a high tide I think. As I said to M-R, I try to avoid ugly places or not take photos of them, though saying that I can usually find something interesting to photograph wherever I am.
Silly me. Why WOULD you take photos of ugly places but it seems to me you have an abundance of heavenly ones to choose from. 😀 🙂
Now you have got me thinking Tess.
Now you have me expectant… 😮
So green there! Beautiful walk!
I suspect it rains a fair bit 🙂
A suitably flat and demure walk, Jude 🙂 You can have too much of this tower climbing lark, can’t you? Is your ankle still giving you grief?
Many thanks for the link, hon. Bank holiday plans? Any wanderlust in the offing? 🙂
Foot still painful Jo, goodness knows what I have done to it, but I did get out and about with the grandkids. Even went to Ironbridge so I may get a walk out of that. Nothing planned for the weekend. Feels very autumnal here now so I am practically in hibernation mode 😉
I KNOW! I’m hoping for an Indian Summer, but then, I hope for one of those every year. Algarve 2 weeks today 🙂
Algarve in September sounds good. Are you there for a few weeks this time?
12 days will have to do. Daughter’s in Nottingham end of September. The rest of the year unplanned 🙂 🙂
Commiserations on an injured ankle: walking pain is especially bad news for a photographer. Heal well, and quickly.
You’ve taken me on a lovely walk beside an unfamiliar kind of river. Obviously everything’s capable of pretty in your photographic and verbal hands. My favourites this time? The cormorant with his (her?) tracks in the sand. The bridge and the lovely language of bridge architecture. And of course those boats. What is it about decay? It’s capacity to hint at story? The subtlety of textures and the variations of colour? What?
In my view benches are a necessary accompaniment to a good walk: they encourage absorptive contemplation.
Loved the boats and yes it is the texture I think that grabs me. And the colours. I also love the cormorant and in fact it was the tracks in the sand that caught my eye. A shame we didn’t spot many more wild birds. I’m considering a mini “bench” series – I have been rating them for accessibility and location, and of course, comfort!
What lovely photos, Jude. How I envy you the long summer evenings at the moment. Those abandoned boats are so photogenic. 🙂
Everyone seems to love the boats 🙂 A shame there aren’t any closer to me to photograph! As for the summer evenings Sylvia, they are sadly drawing in now and it is dark around 8:30 pm. This walk was in June and in Scotland so we had light until 10:30 pm. I’m dreading the dark evenings again, I do not like those short hours of daylight at all.