Blackcraig Hill circuit

Blackcraig Hill (Graham) 700m & (Blacklorg Hill) Donald 681m
The forecast for the day was better than the reality when we arrived. Heavy cloud covering Blackcraig Hill, maybe it will blow away.
We parked exactly 4 miles into Glen Afton, marked parking area is on the left, deep potholes drive carefully. It can be a remote and wild place, a windfarm worker died here this winter trapped by the snowstorms.
Then walked back the .3mile to Blackcraig farm entrance, a camper and car parked up, boots outside long lie today, well the clocks did go forward?

Quintin Knowe cairn in distance 

Now we followed the normal track, climbing gradually until we reach Quintin Knowe. A bulldozer track has been dug in for most of this climb before ending abruptly, more turbines I wonder. Rather a bleak section of countryside.

Blackcraig Hill from QK cairn

We spot a runner with his dog coming down the flanks, a lot faster than we were ascending.

Some new turbines below

Then up to Blackcraig Hill, staying close to the fence and crossing the soft snow patches. As we spot the cairn it drifts in and out of cloud, likewise the trig when spotted.

Trig in distance

Patchy wetland but not too bad. At the summit hide in the small structure to have a snack, a cool wind blowing. Sadly the vista is wind turbine city, not pretty.

Turbines on flanks of Windy Standard

The clouds have lifted so down and up to Blacklorg, staying to the right of the fence following old sheep trails. Nearing the top we look back and spot 3 walkers coming over the top of Blackcraig, so not alone today.

Striding Arch zoomed in

I wander a bit and look down at the wind farm tracking cutting below us and continuing way south. It is clear enough to spot one of the Striding Arches, probably Benbrack.

Blackcraig Hill from Craigbraneoch

We decide to omit Cannock and make a moorland beeline crossing directly to Craigbraneoch. At the tree plantation we stop for another break and spot yet another couple of walkers topping Blackcraig, busy today.

Summit Craigbraneoch

Although rough ground the walking was fine. Super views from the top down Glen Afton and surrounding land.

Glen Afton

Descend to the dam from cairn heading for the tree line at the reservoir. Now the boring bit 25mins downhill tarmac walk back. Looking back it is possible to descend the crags without cutting back to the dam, thus reducing the road walk.

Looking back to Craigbraneoch

I enjoyed the walk, minimal wildlife: raven; buzzard and skylarks.
Time: 4.48hr
Ascent: 766m
Distance: 14.5km