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Location notes
Located almost in the middle of nowhere on the infamous climb from Beattock village to the summit on the incline heading north. Nearest inhabitancies to the south is Beattock village and to the north Crawford village.
Railway type and traffic
Situated on the old Caledonian Railway route which is now known as The West Coast Main Line. Do not believe the politicians when they tell you there are no available paths on the WCML as sometimes you can wait a couple of hours before there is anything to phot!
Virgin units, electric and diesel, with still a few Euston to Glasgow's loco hauled at the time of writing. DB Schenker electric and diesel hauled freights, DRS activity and Freightliner workings both electric and diesel including boxes, FHH hoppers and automobile traffic. Network Rail's yellow HST normally passes by once a week.
Environment
Very rural location with little shelter other than your own transport. Unlikely to encounter many travellers other than the local farmers and the odd tourist many of whom stop to find out what you are waiting for and usually go away disappointed that there is no steam engine on the way.
Road directions
From the south:Leave M74 at junction 15 and take the B7078 (was the old A74 before the motorway). Head north with the motorway on your right and the railway on your left until you reach the B719. Turn right onto this road which crosses over the motorway, turn right again at the junction at the end of the bridge.
From the north:Leave the M74 at junction 14 (Crawford) and join the A702 for Beattock at the next roundabout the Beattock road changes into the B7078, follow this road up and over the motorway and then the railway passing Beattock Summit on your left. Continue under the railway at Harthope Viaduct, entering Dumfries and Galloway district, until you reach the B719. Turn left onto this road crossing over the M74 and right at the junction at the end of the bridge.
then.....
There are a number of suitable locations on this road as it climbs the side of the valley.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location Beattock Bank, Greenhillstairs map co-ordinates
Parking
There are at least two lay by areas where the car can be safely parked.
Public transport
Amenities
Abington service area lies to the north of the location, shops closer are in Beattock and Crawford villages.
Accommodation
Bed and Breakfast can be obtained in Moffat, Beattock and Crawford plus the
Where to stay web site.
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Beattock Bank, Greenhillstairs
Googly map
Streetmap links
Beattock Bank, Greenhillstairs general view map
Beattock Bank, Greenhillstairs close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Beattock Bank, Greenhillstairs
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Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
Sunlight to your advantage early to mid morning. Your choice of lens is critical as a standard 50mm lens leaves you to far away. You can shot in both directions with plenty of warning for northbound but the southbounds appear a little quicker and you need to stay alert during periods of inactivity.
You are shooting over the motorway so road noise can be a problem. But given the wide nature of the shot this might be acceptable.
General views - All photographs © Peter Kellett unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north
This shot was taken in 2001. The electricity pylons have since been moved to the other side of the railway to accomodate the motorway. For shots such as this copious layers of clothing and a large flask containing hot liquid is recommended. :-)
Fig 2 - Looking south
Fig 3 - Looking west
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