UKBouldering.com
places to visit => uk and eire => Topic started by: tommytwotone on August 26, 2021, 02:19:23 pm
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Off up to Kirkubright on a family holiday next week, and against all odds the weather is looking decent.
Long shot, by any UKB-ers local that wouldn't mind showing a visitor round somewhere nearby, or even lending me a pad? We don't have enough boot space to cart one up and wouldn't mind exploring some of the beach stuff if we can.
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You can get away without a pad or just a skinny one if the sand level is high on some probs at Sandyhills Beach, (good family option), Thirlstane has some really low stuff, and sometimes sandy landings and quick access.
Really nice beach at Brighouse Bay, nowt like t'other Brighouse. Some of the other beaches are a bit estuarine and muddy, so choose carefully.
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Nice one, they were the options I'd scoped out. Mrs T went to Sandyhills last year with the kids and said it was a good beach in general so I think that's probably my best chance of a bit of low grade / lowball pottering above a takeoff pad.
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There's actually a guide to Sandyhills on Unknown Stones (one of the site's founders moved nearby). The topos make it look like lots of the landings are very friendly (obvs subject to change). If you look up Pete Jackson on social media he might be up for showing you around.
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Messaged you some other non-climbing beta.
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any UKB-ers local
There are very few regular boulderers in D&G, single figures TBH, and most of them don't climb outdoor much!
You're very welcome to borrow a mat from me but I live in the North of the region about 1 hr from Kirkcudbright so dunno if you'd be able to collect. I might be out on Monday night or Thursday day but i've been projecting further afield of late.
Sandyhills has a bunch of low grade stuff but a lot of it can be a bit chossy. There are a couple of very good 6c's i can point you at if you decide to go there. Also an uber-classic 7B. Mixture of sand and rocky landings depending on problem. It's not as good as Thirlstane
Thirlstane is a great family venue, and the climbing is excellent. If you're careful you can get away with just a towel to keep feet dry as landing are soft sand.
Both venues are tidal but ok till about 90 mins either side of high tide. They're about 30-40mins away.
1 hr away is Garheugh along the West coast. Loads of excellent bouldering but landings are pebbles/flat rocks so you'd want a mat.
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Thirlstane landing was shells last time!
OT, I rated the Selkirk Arms in Kirkcudbright, always had nice meals there (although the last was a few years back)
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The beach at Thirlstane is pretty amazing for the sheer amount of shells on it, I've never seen a beach with so many shells before (I was there in June).
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And how was it?
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Had a nice afternoon at Thirlstane - I'd recommend it for kids (mine are 4 and 7), as there are a few little platform things with plenty of small-person-sized things (AKA Lancashire highballs) for them to go at.
I got a bit of a spanking at the crag proper, but I think that was a combination of being in a rush, a bit hot, and accompanied by 2 kids who'd run out of patience.
Earlier comments about the beach are correct though, tons of shells.
As a side note, if anyone's up there and wants a nice breakfast, served amongst some amazing views, I'd highly recommend Gather at Gatehouse Of Fleet.
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That's new, looks amazing.
Remember a nice cafe in the old mill too.