Bridgefoot of Phingask: No Entry

The verge of the track running from the A981 past Chapelton is, as always at this time of the year, ablaze with poppies. This track has a particularly rich flora, in addition to the poppies  current flowers include huge patches of birds' foot trefoil, white dead nettle, white and red campions, alkanet, cow parsley, pink purslane, vetches and yellow drifts of what is probably self seeded oil seed rape. Later in the summer these will be succeeded by species such as ox eye daisies and willow herb. The track gives a glimpse of what the countryside must have looked like before the widespread use of agrichemicals.  

Grey Granite and Rufus have long enjoyed the circular walk which includes the track, until recently clearly signposted as a footpath.

We were surprised and disappointed to find that the track is now barred at Bridgefoot of Phingask by two sets of locked gates and a stern warning. We wonder why this has happened and mourn the loss of an enjoyable walk.