A ramble up Meikle Bin

Hill/Walk: Meikle Bin
Category: Sub2k
Height: 570m
Another short winter walk with Kilmarnock Ramblers to get to the top of Meikle Bin, the Kilsyth Hills highest hill.
We started from Todholes Farm under grey skies. I had forgot my waterproof jacket so fingers crossed for no rain. 
The walk is firstly on good forestry track hemmed in by the pines. Not a lot to see just the conversation to entertain us.

Reservoir burn

There are occasional views of Carron Valley reservoir through the trees but better views when we gain height. This burn will be a perfect trout spawning area further up in the shallows. I have fished this water and from the boat watched walkers summit Meikle Bin, today it was to be my turn.
The valley was dammed in the 1930s to create this very large reservoir which is around 4 miles long and three-quarters of a mile wide at its widest point and it feels every bit of it out on the water with the waves slapping the boat. The reservoir is linked to the River Carron and provides water for the Falkirk area. There are dams at both ends which the trout like to gather at.

1st view

When we cleared the trees the top was shrouded in cloud which came and went but never fully cleared. Lots of locals out walking the hill today.

The cloud lifts briefly so the trig in sight

A short steady walk up the grassy slopes, wet, slippery but straightforward and before long we arrive at the trig.

Trig

The cloud occasionally clears to let us see the waters of the reservoir below but just as quickly hides them again.

Clouds coming and going

Too cold for us to hang about for lunch up here so we descend to look at the plane wreckage.

Wing section

‘A Royal Navy two-seater Fairey Firefly crashed near the summit in January 1950. The bodies of the two occupants were found nearby. Just west of the trig point can be found part of the wing section‘ which we had a look at.

Local hills

It is said that there are superb long distance views which to the west includes the tops of Arran and to the east the Bass rock but not for us today. We had to settle for local stuff including Earls Seat.
Back down the same route. A good short winters walk up a nice hill in excellent company and no rain.

Wildlife: nil
Time: 3.53
Ascent: 1329ft
Distance: 6.47m

Great Glen Way Drumnadrochit - Inverness

Walk: Great Glen Way Drumnadrochit - Inverness
Category: Long Distance Walks
Height: n/a
Well that’s it finally finished, my last section of the Great Glen Way, a bit sad. For various reasons it took me a year longer than planned but that’s life.
I will get my rant over first. This section is just one long walk, mainly on hard packed surfaces and my feet were sore. I had hoped to do this with lightweight boots as a summer walk but ended up in my mountain boots and they were not appropriate. The forecast was for snow showers which thankfully did not arrive. I was under some pressure with the very short daylight, no time for lingering ring en route. But I know my walking speed so was confident even over the long distance.
Sadly after being close to water on all the other sections this one most definitely is not. It is mainly through deforested woodland and open moorland, views limited to inland scenes.
And as for the end of the walk, see later!!
Still, lets concentrate on the walk.

Drumnadrochit and impressive War Memorial

I took the bus to Drumnadrochit where on arrival it was cold and drizzling rain but anticipation helps you ignore these. Beware the first 1.5 miles from here is a pavement walk until you reach the obvious Temple Pier area with a marker post to turn left into the countryside. Interesting information board about John Cobb’s speedboat record attempt, worth an internet search.

Looking back to Urquhart Castle on the peninsula

The track loops up and around houses before becoming a proper track with views back over the water and Urquhart Castle.

Woodland walking

It is now a steep climb through the woods with significant height gain but at least the track is carpeted with pine needles so nice and soft going. Autumn colours still prominent. A bunch of cyclo cross cyclists appear, the only other outdoor people I will meet today, no other walkers at all. Occasional breaks in the trees give brief glimpses of Loch Ness.

Stunning rainbow

As I broke out of the trees a beautiful rainbow started to form, a double showed briefly but cannot get fully formed. The snap does not do the colours justice, it was beautiful.

Deforestation in progress

I came across a forestry worker stacking up the fallen trees and stopped for a brief chat.
At the signpost for Abriachan Forest Walks, despite my time pressures, I chose the diversion route as much to get off the hard track. The track was obvious and soon led to a seat and viewpoint.

Start of Iron Age settlement

After that headed down to the iron age settlement which could be spotted through the trees. There are a few wooded constructions as well as some eco buildings. A very large chestnut brown bird burst from the undergrowth and flew quickly and silently into undergrowth, not sure what that was?  There are toilets at the settlement if required. 

Love these trees

Back on the main track which is now a straight line ahead lined with Silver birches stunning outlined against blue skies.

Eco cafe open all year

Cross a road and follow another track where you pass the eco café at Tomachoin, sadly no time to visit but it certainly looks interesting.
Now the second worst section for me was walking this tarmac road for 4 km (according to Walkhighlands) but it seemed a lot longer today, feet beginning to protest. Away from the relative shelter of the trees the temperature dropped considerably on this open moor, extra gear added for warmth. Red kites and buzzards circled the moor was I to be there scavenging prey? 

Finally off the tarmac

Boy was I glad to reach the newly constructed path which continues over the open moorland, the scenic views helped the time go by. 
The next section is a mixed forest, some of which is the old drovers trail route heading to the market at Falkirk.
The trees became pine woods again where I had an interesting experience. Just ahead I spotted some things floating down, strange no trees shedding leaves. Standing at the spot they continued to softly float down. It turned out they were feathers, grey and white, probably a pigeon being eaten by a raptor above me but I could not spot it.
There were good views of the Cromarty Firth on my left and when I reached the reservoir I finally got sight of Inverness ahead. 

Finally Inverness in sight

As I headed towards Great Glen House I passed a sign ‘Inverness castle 4 miles‘. This was now the worst section by far and it was a long 4 miles on protesting feet. The route is on and off tarmac roads, through housing estates, established and new building sites. Underpasses etc before briefly reaching the Caledonian Canal, it seems a long time since I last saw it.

Caledonian Canal I missed you

However this is a very brief interlude before more tarmac street walking to reach the River Ness. Then guess what, more tarmac walking to the end at the castle. Needless to say the rain joined me for these 4 miles and darkness arrived early. I had been under a tight time deadline but arrived as per my expectations.

Ness Islands almost finished

I believe that there is no such thing as a bad walk but that last section was stretching my positiveness. 
Overall I really enjoyed my Great Glen Way experience and was glad that I split it up experiencing it in all the different weather patterns Scotland gives us, all for the good.
Now time to hit the Black Isle bar for some well deserved beer. A pint of Red Kite would be an appropriate starter. 

Wildlife: Red Kite, Buzzard, Wren, Bluetit, Wood Pigeon, Blackbird, 
Time: 6.15
Ascent: 693m
Distance: 31.1k

Ben Donich V2

As I posted a walk report on this hill from the recce just a couple of weeks ago I have left the words to a minimum and just posted some snaps.

Out with the Kilmarnock Ramblers today for the ascent of Ben Donich. In contrast to the recce  there were no clouds, the skies were clear blue and the visibility was fantastic, you could literally see for miles and miles.

Sitting at the top for lunch and the vista included the hills of Arran, the Paps of Jura and the hills of Mull, all with only turning your head a fraction. Turn a bit more and Cruachan and the Dalmally horseshoe. 
Throw in all the local stuff and it was a day to remember, absolutely stunning. I thought yesterday on Durisdeer was good but this went up a notch.
A great walk in great company, better than watching the telly. On the scrambly bit one or two might have preferred the telly, lol.
Snaps in no particular order.

Time to move on after coffee break

Rugged and rough terrain

Descending just before the scramble

Luibhean in front, Ime behind left, Narnain right and Cobbler flanks

Same group shot lower down

Single file ascent

Derek on the edge!

Ben Lomond in distance, The Brack fore right

Loch Restil with its Corbett guards

Same shot lower down

In search of Sampson & wife at Durisdeer

Hill/Walk: Well Hill
Category: Sub2k/Marilyn
Height: 606m

On the right the track up Wether Hill heading for Black Hill on left

A stunning walk early winter with the ADRC, an ascent of Well Hill including a few more rolling hills from Durisdeer. Durisdeer is in my top 5 of scenic places to visit in Scotland: isolated, relatively unknown, great walks and packed with history. 
Durisdeer village is a traffic dead end accessed by some minor roads but for those on foot many options for onward travel. As such it is seldom visited, certainly I only discovered it through walking. A visit to the medieval church and its mausoleum is an absolute must whether walking or not.

Durisdeer War Memorial and Kirk

But there is more to Durisdeer than just its church although it is typical of rural areas in the past where there was a sizable parish area and population. Where we parked, just outside the church, is the village war memorial. This has the names of 33 men who did not survive the First World War and 7 in WW2. A large number for such a rural location.
Additionally Salman Rushdie had this as a location in his infamous Satanic Verses, a place of recuperation for archangels apparently. 
The area is a shooting estate so some areas might be out of bounds at times. There was shooting today but not on our side.

Typical rolling hills

We began the walk with the long steep grassy ascent to the trig point at Black Hill. This sorted out the group, not long before it was single file. Height is gained quickly and plenty of opportunity to rest and take in the views.

Black hill trig

From the top we chose the option of going a bit further north over Stanebutt Hill to try and find Sampson & his wife. A name given to two conspicuous rocks when viewed from the road far below they give the appearance of a man and a woman sitting on the hills. They are on the OS map and internet records show a hand written record of them back in the 15thc, impressive.

We took our coffee break at the spot but could find no resemblance of human figures up here so it must be from the road. Still, no hardship for the short detour as there are wonderful views all around. 

Dalveen Pass

These are magnificent rolling hills with super views all around, particularly from here over the Dalveen Pass. Munro snobs will turn there noses up at these hills but they are the losers.

Lowther Hill radar stuff in distance

Next a tramp around the main ridge to Greentrough Head, followed by a sharp descent then another uphill section over Turn Hill takes us to the Sub2k objective of Well Hill. Disappointed that it is just a small bundle of rocks from a rundown wall beside a fence. Still great views in every direction except for the gigantic and awful Clyde South Wind Farm, over 100 turbines!!

Steep descent

Climbing for the day is now over and this is now a very quick, steep, grassy descent down to the Roman road. Slalom skiing style adopted to avoid the knee tensions.

Looking down Roman Road towards Durisdeer

From here you could take the estate road but we opted to follow the original Roman road, today wet and muddy route back to Durisdeer.

Roman Fortlet from Wether Hill

Along the way we tramped across the site of the Roman fortlet, which apparently is one of the best preserved in Britain. with protective ramparts and ditch still visible as per above snap. Imagination time thinking what this would have been like as a settlement in those days, noise, fire, smoke horses etc.

Well Hill descent doesn't look so steep from here

Normally the scavenging red kites are aplenty here but the shooting must have moved them elsewhere. Luckily for us just at the end of the walk a single bird showed well, a fine way to end a super walk.

Wildlife: Red Kite, Buzzard, Rook, Red Grouse, Red Legged partridge.
Time: 4.09m
Ascent: 1934ft 687/96
Distance: 6.19m (10.1k)

A wander around the Greenock Cut

Walk: Greenock Cut
Category: Walk
Height: n/a
Today was a pleasant short walk with the KOIR to the high level circular walk of the Greenock Cut. Mighty impressive views on a clear air day.
The walk starts at the visitor centre from where in good weather you really cannot get lost but beware this can be a very cold and remote spot in bad weather.

Hillside Hill

Today the wind was cutting at the start so layering completed. Normally I would ascend Hillside & Dunrod Hills first but the group was taking it easy today.
Immediately you have water on your right, principally Loch Thom, a stocked fishing water and the moorland beyond.

Memorial

We were walking anti clockwise and on our left a small war memorial at Loch Thom cottage, nicely done. I think this is in memorial to the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders who worked on the construction of the Cut.
As we descend slightly there are now great views over the Firth of Clyde where between Greenock and Helensburgh we spot the hull of the MV Captayannis, known as the ’Sugar Boat’, sunk in 1974. 

Weak rainbow

The forecast was good but the drizzle and sun combined to give us a short view of this weak rainbow.

Greenock and then Argyll hills

The walk gives tremendous views over the Argyll & Arrochar hills and as we turn west it includes Greenock which lies below.

Good track all the way

The Cut is a long aqueduct built to provide water from Loch Thom to Greenock but now in disuse as it has been replaced by a tunnel. It has now a Designated Ancient Monument. 

Is this an overflow?

As you walk round the many stone bridges over the aqueduct indicate how busy this place would have been.

Autumn colours 

After the Greenock views there are still golden autumn colours in the bracken and the now cleared site of IBM below.

Weir

The final stretch and the recent heavy rains have left plenty of water to cascade down this small weir.
Finally back to enjoy the warmth of the tearoom.
An excellent short walk for this time of the year.

Wildlife: Heron, Buzzard, Crow.
Time: 3.25
Ascent: 769ft
Distance: 7.41

A wet day for a Rememberance Day trip to Cairn Hill

Hill: Cairn Hill
Category: Sub2k/Marilyn
Height: 451m
The forecast had changed from Friday’s dry winter day to heavy rain and very poor visibility. Choice long lie, bacon roll etc or walk. The walk won.
Out with ADRC today where we started the walk from the Wanlockhead Road. 

Start

Dogs going nuts at Glenim cottage as we went past. We headed up the estate road with the water racing down the Glenimshaw burn. There has been a lot of rain, the plains below New Cumnock were amazing where the Nith has flooded. Kites, buzzard and crows circle above, maybe a shoot yesterday and looking for carrion.

No gold panning in that water today

A cautious leap over the fast running burn to head up another estate track before cutting off and heading for Yell Hill. Before doing so we stopped for Remembrance Sunday at 11am. Poignant this, in the pouring rain, thinking how much worse it was for the soldiers in rain and mud and their relief when exactly 100 years ago it came to an end.

Sheep trail on Yell Hill

On again and nae views now, in the cloud and rain just a case of head down and plod on. 

Cairn Hill

Reached the fence and followed this to fairly quickly arrive at the gate and the stones of Cairn Hill at 451m today‘s main objective. Great views from here apparently but certainly not today.

No long distance views

A descent down the wet and boggy moorland to the ruins of Kirkbride church and the graveyard, our lunch spot. A brown hare speeds across the large field below, the sheep totally ignoring it.

Kirkbride kirk

The Kirk was originally established circa 10th century. The current ruins circa 16th century. A large grassy area with only a few well spread headstones dating to the mid 1750’s and 1800’s. Wonder if there are more unmarked graves in this enclosure? It’s full history is fascinating a worth a search on the internet. Mysterious deaths etc.
The sky was brighter to the south but not for us,  we were heading back north across similar terrain. 

Waterlogged tracks

There is a real feeling of remoteness here in this sparse landscape. Particularly this final moorland section knowing Threehope Height and the Lowthers are ahead of you but they cannot really be seen in full today. Need to repeat this on a good day these views could be excellent.

Glenimshaw burn

Then we regain the estate track and make our way back to the cars. Still light rain but at least there are better views of our outward route but not the tops.
A wet day but another good walk in good company.

Wildlife: Grey Squirrel, Brown hare, Kestrel, Red Kite, Buzzard, Crow, Chaffinch, Red Grouse, Red Legged partridge.
Time: 4.17
Ascent: 485m
Distance: 13.7k