Gallowhill

Panaramic view from grassed hillside out over treed landscape.

Not Gallowhill at all to start with, rather the view out from Greygill Head across southern Dumfriesshire. On the horizon, at the centre, Criffel can be seen 30 miles away. Dead centre, in the trees, lies Moffat, and the inconspicuous (from this angle) shadowed brown patch to the right of the town is Gallowhill Steep heathered slope, fields and trees on plain below.

Steep heathered slope, fields and trees on plain below.

A narrower view, from the heather season, which also lets the fine trees in the fields by Gallowhill stand out This group of pages is about Gallowhill and the area to the south and east of Moffat. The hill, from Greygill Head, appears very modest, being 800 feet (250 metres) above the sea, and 400 feet above the town. However, its accessibility has meant that for many generations it has been a place of delight offering excellent walks from the town, either for itself, or as the start of long expeditions into the
Hartfell Range. Firery sunset over plain, snow speckled hilltop with triangulation point in foreground.

Firery sunset over plain, snow speckled hilltop with triangulation point in foreground.

Another view, without Gallowhill at all, showing the top of Greygill Head's with its
triangulation point - and a little snow The top photograph of the page showed a bare hill, the plantation of sitka and larch having been cut down in 2014. There was then a period of several years before replanting took place. Earlier photos below and to the right, show a dark mass at the northern end of the hill with deciduous trees to the south - near the town - some of these trees were young two centuries ago. I hope newcomers to the hill will bear with details suited to local people. Treed hill, fields on slope, two houses in nearer fields.

Treed hill, fields on slope, two houses in nearer fields.

The south-east flank of the hill, autumn 2003: larch enlivening the monoculture of Sitka spruce Trees and houses to left, grassed hill to right, fields in foreground.

Trees and houses to left, grassed hill to right, fields in foreground.

The same gold of the grasses on the bare Gallowhill, with its context of the gentle rolling
country of southern Dumfriesshire Hill with stripwoods bove bank of willowherb.

Hill with stripwoods bove bank of willowherb.

Willow herb adds to a view from the other/south side of
Gallowhill - now appearing to be a hill. Dyke across foreground, hill with stripwoods in centre distance.

Dyke across foreground, hill with stripwoods in centre distance.

Stepping back a little, the Hartfell Range can be seen edging into this photograph at the right Autumn turning trees in foreground houses behind, autumnal trees on hill beyond.

Autumn turning trees in foreground houses behind, autumnal trees on hill beyond.

This shot of Gallowhill, from the south-west, gives a better feeling of how it appears to those who live in Moffat: houses leading to deciduous trees Black low hill standing out against white clouds and snow.

Black low hill standing out against white clouds and snow.

A view in winter from the north-west - the black of Gallowhill's trees against the clouds and snow Soft autumn view of tree covered hill with houses at its foot.

Soft autumn view of tree covered hill with houses at its foot.

In late autumn mist hangs in the valleys. Moffat sits at the base of Gallowhill, Swattfell is the backdrop Black and white snow covered fields, trees, hills and clouds.

Black and white snow covered fields, trees, hills and clouds.

Gallowhill, the black leech at the centre, here seen from Holehouse Linn as the winter mist disperses from the valley; the hill beyond is Craig Fell Low hill with trees on top and houses amongst trees to left.

Low hill with trees on top and houses amongst trees to left.

Gallowhill sweeps down to the town, as seen from Hunterheck Two sheep with lambs, beyond hill with stripwoods.

Spring. Leaves and lambs new to the view of Moffat and Gallowhill from above Woodhead Farm Trees and fields in wide valley, low hill to left anad ahead.

Trees and fields in wide valley, low hill to left anad ahead.

Again from Hunterheck but with Gallowhill to the left and Hind Hill ahead up the valley, beyond Archbank House Wide valley filled with mists in strong yellow light with trees showing above mist.

Wide valley filled with mists in strong yellow light with trees showing above mist.

Morning light (with that slight green feel it can have) on the mists in Annandale, around Moffat. Gallowhill is falling in from the left by the spire of
St Mary's church, just perceptible in the mist The six photos below introduce the six following pages that show aspects of Gallowhill, and those areas nearby on which the hill looks out. Hills at left running down to undulating treed landscape.

Hills at left running down to undulating treed landscape.

The next (second) page of the Gallowhill group looks to the south-east of hill: Craig Fell, Oakrigg and Breconside; roughly the area seen in this photo Looking out between trees across fields to house with hills beyond.

Looking out between trees across fields to house with hills beyond.

The third page of the collection has photographs from around Frenchlands, Alton House and Archbank - the latter is central in the photo above Leaf covered path through trees and bracken in autumn.

Leaf covered path through trees and bracken in autumn.

The sixth page takes you into the woods, and follows some of the paths therein Gate field beyond in well treed landscape.

The fourth page has photographs from the east side of the hill
and its stately trees Thick green lichen on tree bark.

The last page has detailed photos of the trees like this one with its thick protective coat Distant conical hill in evening light.

The fifth page of the collection moves round the hill and looks out to the south-west and so towards Queensberry Evening light on mist around tree capped hill.

Evening light on mist around tree capped hill.

Evening mist forming around Gallowhill, the view looking back towards Moffat from the Edinburgh Road as it nears the Beeftub. The hill beyond, at the left, is Craig Fell.
On this side of the hill Annan Water runs in the valley

Trailers... Distant hill framed by two trees.

The next Picture Posting page is to start the tour around Gallowhill with photos from
the area to its
south-west.

The next page of the Mosaic Section is headed 'Riding Two Horses'.
Or go to the of the Mosaic Section. Monitors can keep the layout, which phones may need to discombobulate.

line

Introducing Gallowhill Page one of the Around Gallowhill Collection

Introducing Gallowhill
Page one of the Around Gallowhill Collection