Walla Crag: Difference between revisions
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Walla Crag is not the loftiest of fells, but it certainly packs a punch, even though it is not a technical climb by any stretch of the imagination. There is, of course, more than one way to reach the summit. From Keswick, a stroll along the waterfront path up to Calfclose Bay is the warm-up to the main event. The choice of paths is limited, but it can be approached from the north-east via [[Castlerigg]], or the south-west via [[Ashness Bridge]]. Depending on time, the ascent from [[Cat Gill]] provides a shorter, but steeper climb. Those wishing a longer, more strenuous hike can always enjoy the relaxing views from the plateau via [[High Seat]] (608 metres) and [[Bleaberry Fell]] (590 meters).
Whichever side you ascend from, the plateau edge becomes more apparent from the trees and vegetation that seem to grow in abundance here, a drystone wall separating this from the largely empty expanse of [[Low Moss]] and [[Bleaberry Fell]]. The treeless landscape of Low Moss looks barren in comparison, yet still beautiful in its own, subtle way. From the wall, a clearly defined path follows a well-trodden route to the summit, with several viewpoints to entice you along the way. With a few twists and turns, the open scenes across Derwentwater and beyond are plentiful and will not disappoint. Of Walla Crag, Wainwright describes it thus:
<blockquote>The pleasant Vale of Keswick, surely one of earth's sweetest landscapes, is surrounded by mountains of noble proportions with an inner circle of lesser fells which deserve more than the name foothills, each having strong individual characteristics, a definite and distinctive appearance, and a natural beauty all its own. Among these is Walla Crag, an eminence of intermingled rocks and trees overlooking the east shore of lovely Derwent Water: of moderate elevation yet steep, romantic, challenging. Seen from the lake the hoary top seems unattainable, yet it may be gained by the gentlest of ascents for the slopes beyond the upper fringe of crag descend easily, accompanied by Brockle Beck, almost to the streets of Keswick.<ref>Wainwright, p.2</ref><ref group="lower-alpha">Please note that the page numbers given in Wainwrights Pictorial Guide are for the individual chapters of the book, due to the book not containing chronological page numbers.</ref></blockquote>
The summit of Walla Crag is set back slightly from the plateau. It is recognisable as a rocky prominence surrounded by heather scrub, and bisected by the Walla Crag Trail path. The usual giveaway are the crowds of people that gather to take their photos and picnic for a time-out to reenergise after the climb. It is, after all, the pièce de résistance. The views are simply breathtaking and time should be taken to enjoy the stunning views on offer. Here are uninterrupted views across Derwentwater, taking in the majestic sights of [[Catbells]], [[Causey Pike]], [[Grisedale Pike]], [[Whinlatter Forest]], [[Bassenthwaite Lake]], [[Skiddaw]], [[Blencathra]], to name but a few. There is a fissure in the crag called Lady's Rake. It is clearly visible from the ground, and in the realms of fantasy-fiction, looks like it was cleaved by a giant's axe! Firmly in the realms of reality, the treeline now somewhat obscures this from view. ▼
▲The summit of Walla Crag is set back slightly from the plateau. It is recognisable as a rocky prominence surrounded by heather scrub, and bisected by the Walla Crag Trail path. The usual giveaway are the crowds of people that gather to take their photos and picnic for a time-out to reenergise after the climb. It is, after all, the pièce de résistance. The views are simply breathtaking and time should be taken to enjoy the stunning views on offer. Here are uninterrupted views across Derwentwater, taking in the majestic sights of [[Catbells]], [[Causey Pike]], [[Grisedale Pike]], [[Whinlatter Forest]], [[Bassenthwaite Lake]], [[Skiddaw]], [[Blencathra]], to name but a few. There is a fissure in the crag called Lady's Rake. It is clearly visible from the ground, and in the realms of fantasy-fiction, looks like it was cleaved by a giant's axe! Firmly in the realms of reality, the
Parking is by way of a pay and display in the Great Wood. This is owned by the National Trust. As always, the earlier you arrive, the better chance have of finding a spot, as spaces can certainly fill up fast.
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History tells us that this legend is not so far from the truth as one would think, for a small hoard of 34 silver coins was found on the "north side of Cat[beck] Gill, which divides Walla Crag from Falcon Crag; south of the wall of the Great Wood and at a few yards from it, a short distance above where the wall takes a sudden bend northwards."<ref name="collingwood-273"/> However, these coins from the reigns of Edward I and Edward II, bear a time span of some 400 plus years earlier than our Lady of Lord's Island. There is little imagination required to see how legends over time can change to suite a storyteller's needs.
The tragedy here, that of her pleading to the King for her husband's life, was for nought. He was found guilty and executed for his crimes of treason on 24 February 1716. Whilst this is actually true of James Radclyffe, 3rd Earl of Derwentwater, some elements of the Lady's Rake legend remain doubtful. The 3rd Earl, whilst having succeeded the family estates upon his father's death in 1705, didn't actually live in Cumberland, instead favouring his estates in Northumberland. He visited in 1710, probably staying at the Queen's Head hotel.<ref name="collingwood-272"/><ref>Crosthwaite, p.17
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The 2nd element ''[[:wiktionary:crag|crag]]'' (rocky outcrop, rocky height, rugged steep cliff, rock) comes from Middle English ''crag'', or the alternative spelling, ''cragge'', which itself probably comes from Middle Irish ''[[:wiktionary:crec|crec]]'', or Scottish Gaelic ''[[:wiktionary:creag#Scottish Gaelic|creag]]'', brought over by the Scandinavians in the 10th century.<ref>Whaley, p.395</ref>
==Notes==
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
==References==
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*Martineau, Harriet (1855). ''A Complete Guide to the English Lakes''. Windermere: John Garnett.
*Thompson, W.N. (1904). ''Transactions of the Cumberland & Westmorland Antiquarian & Archaeological Society''. Kendal. Volume 4.
*Wainwright, Alfred (2016). ''A Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells'' Book Three: The Central Fells''. Walkers (revised) edition. London: Frances Lincoln.
*Whaley, Diana (2006). ''A Dictionary of Lake District Place-Names''. English Place-Name Society. School of English Studies, University of Nottingham.
*Wright, Joseph (1905). ''The English Dialect Dictionary''. Volume 6 T–Z. London: Henry Frowde.
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