Summer Walk No 9 - Shaftoe Crags near Bolam Lake, Tuesday 30th July 2013.
On Tuesday 30th July 2013, an evening walk in the Northumbrian Countryside was on the agenda as members of Morpeth
Camera Club met at Bolam Low Houses, near Bolam Lake. Visit number Nine on the Summer Programme of walks with our
cameras took us to explore Shaftoe Crags, where huge outcrops sandstone rock dominate the landscape. Leaving the car
park we headed west across open fields and followed the path as the ground slowly started to rise. We passed through a
gate onto moorland and joined an old drovers road that used to run from Scotland to Newcastle. This route took us to
Salters Nick, a small gully that cuts between the crags and here we had a short break. With views to the north and west
there were numerous photo opportunities at this location as members tried a bit of bouldering, climbing the rocky outcrops
and hidden fissures. After thirty minutes we moved on following the path down to the foot of this part of the crags and then
turned south and headed across the rugged terrain. Walking through the bracken & ferns, patches of purple heather added
a bit of colour to the landscape together with numerous butterflies and moths. A short climb then took us up to he trig point
on the hilltop and this vantage point again gave us extensive views in all directions of this part of wild Northumberland.
We then continued our stroll in a southerly direction to another large crag where the exposed rock had been weathered by
nature, creating some natural sculptures, and the hand of man has added some graffiti carved into the stone.
At this point the fine dry weather we had enjoyed started to change, and as the dark clouds moved in from the west we
decided to start our return journey. Walking down from the crags a slight shower did not to dampen the spirits of the eleven
members and a dog as we headed across a grass pasture to the north of East Shaftoe Hall Farm. A gentle walk downhill then
took us past a large pond and we joined the farm track leading us back to the car park to complete our circular walk. A break
in the clouds then ended the evening in a last flurry of sunlight. Thank you to those who attended and I am sure the club will
look forward to seeing the images taken by members on this interesting walk.
Davy Bolam.
Camera Club met at Bolam Low Houses, near Bolam Lake. Visit number Nine on the Summer Programme of walks with our
cameras took us to explore Shaftoe Crags, where huge outcrops sandstone rock dominate the landscape. Leaving the car
park we headed west across open fields and followed the path as the ground slowly started to rise. We passed through a
gate onto moorland and joined an old drovers road that used to run from Scotland to Newcastle. This route took us to
Salters Nick, a small gully that cuts between the crags and here we had a short break. With views to the north and west
there were numerous photo opportunities at this location as members tried a bit of bouldering, climbing the rocky outcrops
and hidden fissures. After thirty minutes we moved on following the path down to the foot of this part of the crags and then
turned south and headed across the rugged terrain. Walking through the bracken & ferns, patches of purple heather added
a bit of colour to the landscape together with numerous butterflies and moths. A short climb then took us up to he trig point
on the hilltop and this vantage point again gave us extensive views in all directions of this part of wild Northumberland.
We then continued our stroll in a southerly direction to another large crag where the exposed rock had been weathered by
nature, creating some natural sculptures, and the hand of man has added some graffiti carved into the stone.
At this point the fine dry weather we had enjoyed started to change, and as the dark clouds moved in from the west we
decided to start our return journey. Walking down from the crags a slight shower did not to dampen the spirits of the eleven
members and a dog as we headed across a grass pasture to the north of East Shaftoe Hall Farm. A gentle walk downhill then
took us past a large pond and we joined the farm track leading us back to the car park to complete our circular walk. A break
in the clouds then ended the evening in a last flurry of sunlight. Thank you to those who attended and I am sure the club will
look forward to seeing the images taken by members on this interesting walk.
Davy Bolam.