Dempster Road Show path on map

Start location: Mennock ( NS 808 079 )

End location: B797 ( NS 865 101 )

Geographical area:

Path type:

Path distance: 7km

Accessibility info:

Route Description

Turn off the A76 into the hamlet of Mennock and park just across the old bridge over the Mennock Water. From here a track leads past an occupied house/farm then down to the railway viaduct. There are no signs. Go under the viaduct either north of a ruined building and along the river bank or south of the ruined building and into a cattle field. Continue through the field keeping the Mennock Water on your left to a gate at a hardstanding where the cattle are fed. Go through the gate and a short distance along a surfaced track to the B797. Cross the B797, climb over a fence then ascend steeply up a grass slope to meet a grass track running north to south. There are no signs at the B797 crossing, but you will notice a large disused quarry on your right. Proceed up the track to the col between Overtown Hill and Mennock Mill Heights where there is a finger post sign saying public footpath to view point. 
Continue east over open grass land past a sheep fank. Next pass a new plantation on your left and then a distinctive T-shaped plantation on your right. There are several fences (some electrified) to cross, and a very wet area at Brewster's Burn. Cross Glendauchan Burn then climb the north side of Waldtree Knowes. There is no path on this section of the route. Continue east over open grassland, cross Breckagh Burn then go slightly downhill until you meet a new Land Rover track. Follow this track downhill and over the Mar Burn to meet a well made hardcore track. Head eastward to just before the disused farm steading at Glenim, then turn north along the east side of Cock Hill to Bught Hass. There is a series of grouse butts at Bught Hass. From there a distinct path contours round the west slope of Threehope Height. The path is narrow but well trodden and easily distinguished from a sheep track. Follow this path north-easterly parallel to the B797 past a stone sheep fank then across the Mennock Water, which is just a small burn at this point, and on to finish on the B797.

Heritage Information

This old route appears on maps labelled as Dempster Road at least as far back as the OS 6" first edition (1843-1882) where it is shown as a footpath. It appears to be an alternative to the turnpike road (now B797) which lies closer to the Mennock Water.

The Dempster Road is shown passing through Bught Hass. According to Cols and Passes of the British Isles, a hass is a type of col, often a subtle depression in a ridge. Bught means sheepfold and these lay nearby on the N side of Cock Hill and at Glenim.

A dempster was an officer of the court system, but why this old route is named the Dempster Road is unknown to the Heritage Paths project, so we would very much welcome further information from anyone who knows more about it.