Nae cairn on Hare Cairn, nor hares!!

Hill: Hare Cairn
Category: Sub2K
Height: 516m
Second Hill of the day so after a short drive I parked up at the car park at Backwater dam, I could claim another hill on the other side of the reservoir it time allowed. The place seemed busy but I assumed that this was normal with dog walkers but not at all. Turns out that a Great Grey Shrike, a very rare bird, was in the trees somewhere so all the twitchers were around. Only 3 in the UK at this moment in time.

Backwater reservoir I am heading to the end

A long walk along the side of the dam, 35 minutes or so of tarmac. But at times there were also side stretches of grass which took some of the pain out of it. Spoke to a few twitchers but only one had seen the Shrike.

The correct gate other one down to my left

Once onto the grass at the end of the loch I had a brief dilemma as there were two gates, one skirting the woods and the other right into them.

Good path mainly used as a circular walk of the reservoir

Studied the map and opted for the one right into the woods, right choice. A pleasant walk through the woods but not a sound of any birds.
I reached another gate which was now the end of the woods.

Finally ascending should have been a lot easier than reality

A left turn and it was time for the climb. I had considered the circuit including Creigh Hill but my legs said no particularly if I was going to do the walk with the Ayr group tomorrow.
I was not making the best progress up the hill, tiredness in the legs, not as fit as I used to be.
Even in my unfit state I was aware that this was a large deer fence that I was following, hoping and praying there was a gate, didn‘t fancy a climb. 

Gap in wire more helpful if had been at the bottom

I reached the fence junction and although there was no gate someone had cut a hole in the fence. Debated to leave the rucksac this side but too much stuff in it. Pushed it through then tried to get myself through, all good apart from the heel, need to get more flexibility, Pilates or Yoga?

Looking back typical terrain

The final walk to the trig made me indulge in my internal debate of was this last section worth the effort for another 20 metres of ascent to reach a trig and the high spot? Of course it was but the terrain was boggy moor and following the old fence plenty of old wire lying around to ensnare you.

Trig ahead on the cusp of another weather front

Roughly an hour 15 to the top. A cold wind and an ok view but not somewhere to linger. A trig was here but no sign of any cairn. I had also been looking but no sign of any hares if that indeed was what it was named after.

Angus hills on the descent

I simply retraced back the way I came, initially with a nice view down the hill to the lochan hidden away, wonder if it is a fishing water?

Burning grouse moors

Looking around and taking in the scenery the heather was burning on the moors, taking advantage of the lack of snow.

Nice reservoir Creigh hill on the distant left

But the track was taking its toll, these boots are not made for this terrain. Sore feet and calves.
Back at the dam and all the other cars had gone, maybe the Shrike had as well.

Wildlife: Grey Heron; Buzzard; Raven; Red Grouse; Meadow Pipit; Cormorant; Red Legged Partridge; Goldeneye.
Time: 2.37
Ascent: 775ft (255m)
Distance: 6.45m (10.8km)

Badandun Hill a fine alternative

Hill: Badandun Hill (Angus) 
Category: Graham
Height: 740m

I set out to do Mealna Letter as my first hill today but as I approached the parking area there were gunmen hiding in the bushes!! I spoke to one of them who said they were going to be shooting in the woods that I would be skirting. So no go.
Off then to my back up hill, a few miles down the road where I found a parking area near the gate at the start of the walk, just after the 15th century Forter Castle. Badandun is a fine viewpoint hill in its own right.

The start no climbing there is a side gate

The initial walk is also a section of the Cateran Way, a circular long distance footpath. 

Looking towards Cateran section to Spittle of Glenshee

Fresh cattle poo on the track but thankfully they were down near the river so no issues.
A small woodland had a song thrush sitting at the top of the highest tree taking in the scenery.

Lower slopes of Badandun Hill

The initial slopes of the hill are directly ahead with a few options to ascend it. There was a newly constructed ugly estate track on the left and a grassy path directly ahead as well as the Cateran Trail which goes off to the right (my descent route). My planned route was the ugly track so off I went.

At least views looking North

At least the scenery was improving as I ground my way up the bulldozed track, which was initially good but became pretty muddy at times.

Interesting light for a while

Some splendid views towards the northern Glenshee hills and looking back some interesting light and skies. Although it was dry it was a lot colder than yesterday.

Looking back to the start Mount Blair on right

The disadvantage of this route is that there are no views of the top, just as well the other views are there. Down below it looks like a very remote section of the Cateran trail.
However after a few twists and turns it was not too long before the trig was spotted.

View north

The track takes you right to the trig. Not the best route but it had to be done. 

Zoomed in

Excellent views north over the Glenshee hills with Mayar & Dreish closer by.
Despite the very nice views it was cold so time to move on. A roe deer spots me and scarpers over the top.

Steep moor descent

On the descent I walked with the path for a while but decided to cut across the contour of the hill and it was good to be off an estate track.
I was on a grassy path for a while and the highlight of the day, just ahead a mountain hare in its full ermine winter coat. I thought I spotted a golden eagle earlier and if so this hare would be easy pickings. It was the only one I saw so presumably they are slaughtered up here.
The steep slopes of the moor took me back down to the Cateran Way which I followed back. 

Looking back down the Cateran Way

This is truly remote countryside with a satisfying sense of isolation.

Auchintaple Loch

Up a slight rise and Auchintaple Loch came into view. You can detour and circle the loch but today I continued on the current path until I met the junction.
Followed the out route, the cows were still down below so an easy walk back to the car.
A decent hill with a good circuit and only one other person spotted so not one for the tourists.
Wildlife: Mountain Hare Ermine; Buzzard; Raven; Song Thrush; Red Grouse; Roe Deer.
Time: 2.37
Ascent: 501m
Distance: 10.2km

Innerdouny Hill the highest Sub in the Ochils

Hill: Innerdouny Hill
Category: Sub2K
Height: 497m

After Lendrick Hill I headed along the B934  to find my start for this hill. I had read that it was important to start from the correct parking area, the 2nd one, but I suppose that is determined by which way you are coming.

The correct parking area

I came across a Littlerigg car park sign, slowed and went past but instinct kicked in. I knew all the signs would look the same but this just seemed right. Dogs going mental in the cottage but thankfully there was a fence separating us. I think if I stayed this remote I would have loud dogs too.
Parked up, checked map and yes I think I go up this forest track.
to start my walk up Innerdouny Hill
This is just a long walk up a forest road with either deforested stuff or recently planted stuff around you. There was a full wood in the distance and that was my objective.

Junction

Straightforward until you reach a V junction. There was a post with a yellow direction arrow that indicated to go straight. Didn’t seem right, map out and decided to go right, correct decision.
Then I soon reached a clearing on the right where I could see a fire break. The map confirmed this could be used as a short cut but I was in no hurry so continued with the forest track.

Lovely countryside & Crieff hills behind

A bit of a trudge but looking at Perthshire & Angus the sun was shining, it is beautiful countryside. Sadly I was still in the cold grey stuff, never mind, no problem, enjoy the moment.

At least it changed into some grass which meant less painful walking.

A few people clearly walked this route 

This track climbed gradually until I exited the trees and after the clearing an obvious path went right alongside the trees. A pair of Jays flew over my head into the trees calling loud and angry as always.

Gap in wall on track

A slight uphill walk until a broken stone dyke is reached. The only boggy section. Looking at the map the firebreak would have brought you to this point, time saving 15-20 minutes I guess but very rough underfoot.

Almost there

Suddenly the summit is reached with trig point I spotted earlier from Lendrick Hill. I think the views were better from Lendrick even though this is the highest Sub2k in the Ochil Hills.

Looking at Lendrick Hill

I could have used the firebreak but being on my own with a couple of walking days ahead I did not want a sprained ankle or worse.
Just as well I didn’t detour as a bird appeared on top of a pine calling away. Binos out and you know what another Crossbill. Haven’t seen one for yonks and two in a day on different hills. Clearly the hills are only a few miles apart so likely a breeding colony around here.

Sun shining over Perthshire & Angus

On the descent I spotted movement above the deforested area, a Kestrel, another first for the year, magic.
So two good unplanned walks until last night. An enjoyable day.
When checking my lists I noted that there are only three hills beginning with an ‘I’ in the categorized lists. The only one I have left is the easy one, The In Pin, might be a while before I get around to that one, need to learn to abseil first!!


Wildlife: Crossbill; Kestrel; Jay (pair); Carrion Crow (pair); Chaffinch; Greenfinch; Blue Tit
Time: 2.23
Ascent: 775ft 
Distance: 7.51m 

It's a hundred up on Lendrick Hill

Hill: Lendrick Hill
Category: Sub2K
Height: 456m
On my way up to Dunkeld to escape the grim Ayrshire weather I decided to tick off another couple of Sub2k’s starting with Lendrick. 
As per normal my sat nav brought me in a different way than I had in my mind, so finding the starting point was once again the challenge.

Tourist route

Finally found it and parked at the start of the forestry road, surprised to see a sign for a Public route to the hill. No exclusivity here. 

Head up there

Just as I started off another car arrived, a local or a tourist like me? He stayed in his car so off I went.

Almost missed it

Followed the wide forest track/road in a wee world of my own when I spotted the mini cairn ie small pile of stones where I should turn off. I thought it was much further on. Also a signpost just in case you missed the stones heading up into the trees.

Another signpost don't want us getting lost

There is an obvious path, quite steep as my blowing lungs would testify. Also with all the wet weather the ground was giving way. Fine going up but I anticipated a good chance of a heel slip and muddy trousers on the descent.

Top up there

Before long you clear the trees and a deer fence comes into view, I guess the stile is the way to go.
For a small hill it has both a cairn and a trig. Firstly the cairn then onto the trig. The weather is gloriously sunny over Perthshire but I am on the boundary line of the Ochils and have the west coast cold, cloud and smirry rain.

Small cairn with trig beyond

Nevertheless this is my 100th Sub2k so spent a moment reflecting.

Loch Lomond and the Lomond hills

There are good views particularly over to Fife. Loch Leven prominent as well as the Lomond Hills. I counted 9 Sub2k’s that I could see from here and I am sure there will be plenty more.
Indeed, one of them, across the way is Innerdouny Hill, shortly to be my next top. 
It was chilly so time to head down when just at the stile I met the other car owner. More of a local than tourist, out walking his dogs. 
There were some birds around the top of the pines and delighted that I had brought the binos as I got a clear view of a Crossbill. Been years since I saw one so a special moment to mark the ton up. Happy now.

Steele's Knowe's turbines

Taking it slowly I managed to avoid a slip so enjoyed the gentle saunter back to the car. An earlier conquest Steele’s Knowe’s turbines just over the way.
A simple hill made special by the Crossbill and the hundred marker.
Let’s see if the sun shines on Innerdouny!

Wildlife: Crossbill; Wren; Buzzard; Carrion Crow.
Time: 1.14
Ascent: 249m
Distance: 3.29km

Muddy, boggy, wet that's Ben Venue from Ledard Farm

Hill: Ben Venue
Category: Graham
Height: 729m
I decided to break my journey home and join the group from Ayr & District for this walk. I had been to the top of Ben Venue before but not from this side so apart from a small section at the top to all intents a new hill for me.

Start

Walkhighlands describe this approach as very muddy and then boggy further up. It was not wrong as this has to be the longest wettest mud fest I have walked for some time.

Lumpy formations

This gloop started quickly through the wooded section which could be very pleasant under other conditions, interesting moss covered formations.

Leaving the woods

Out of the woods and we were soon on the cloud line. Thankfully we were able to cross the Ledard burn without difficulty. The fence is broken at the stile which led us to take the ankle deep gloop, the wet and slippy stile would have been better option.
Now the rain and wind joined in, nae views just a trek to the point the tracks merged.
After the junction there were other people around from the tourist route so we were not the only foolish ones out today.

Not much to see up here

The last section is fairly steep and rocky so care required as wet rock means very slippy conditions, only one minor accident. 
The flat sections in between were just awful wide expanses of deep mud, difficult to avoid at times.

Summit

Got to the top, nothing to see so did not hang around, time to get lower out of the wind and get some food.

Clouds lift briefly heading for the low point of the ridge

On the descent we took the same route. The clouds did lift for a short section and it was nice to see the views. It felt so weird, as if we were in the wrong spot, on the way up in the cloud you did not get the feel for the landscape. A nice bowl of a glen and the slopes of Beinn Bhreac.

Ledard burn safe to cross up and down

Still not for long, clouds back down low, rain back on so just plod through the mud back to the car. How I didn’t heel slip is one of the mysteries for today.
The walk was a lot longer than my Graham the other day and I was feeling a bit achy by the end. But a good outing with good chat as always.

Wildlife: Blue Tit; Long Tailed Tit; Blackbird; Greylag Geese; Hooded Crow; Pied Wagtail.
Time: 5.05
Ascent: 2590ft 
Distance: 6.92m 

The big one turned out to be a wee one after all....Meall Mor Angus

Hill: Meall Mor Angus
Category: Sub2k
Height: 561m
We headed north to Pitlochry for the Banff outdoor film festival, awesome stuff as always.
So the next day, the good lady’s treat, on a lovely day was a short hill walk to get up this remote Marilyn. Nice and easy was the orderof the day and this was just that
I parked at the entrance to a forestry track, enough room for a few cars without blocking the main route.

Easy gradient through the woods

The track is a nice steady walk through the trees with the birds singing at the top of the pines. A large buzzard slowly took off just in front of us gliding through the pines. This stretch is obviously a wind tunnel from the amount of fallen trees but only on one side!
Before long it reaches a gate to the moorland. There is a temptation to take the track inside the fence but avoid that unless you want to climb the deer fence later.

Heading for the hump up there

Slightly further on there is a faint path/atv track going through the heather. Iced up at times so care required but even with this minimal heat and weak sun insects were coming off the heather as we disturbed the growth. Surprising times.

A gentle ascent

There is a short hill ahead, ‘a mountain’ came the grumbles from behind. A zig zag through the heather taking care as there was a lot of ice hidden below the heather.

Ice coat

 The plants were coated as well.
Soon a wall is reached at the top which required a little effort climbing over. The rocks were icy and you know who mumbled away but over we got and on we went.
The little heat had gone it was a bitter wind but the open countryside was full of interest.

Wrong side of the wall

Continued along the wall letting it break the windchill, almost stood on a grouse, heart attack time as shot out of the heather. 
The cairn was soon reached but to get to it the wall had to be climbed again and it was a lot bigger here. The good lady refused until I told her a few steps more and the views were much better. The things we have to do as a walk leader!
Once again a small hill standing isolated really delivers far more views than could be expected.

Mount Blair behind the cairn

Right in front was Mount Blair, last time I came up it from the other side but got no views from the top. 

Eastern Munros light snow

Today we can see through to the Glenshee Munros which had a covering of snow but not a lot really for this time of year. Meyer & Dreish even less white stuff but still looking good.
Schiehallion to our left looked a lot whiter as did the Lawer range further on. 

Nice lochan below, it was iced over

Along with all the local stuff nearby even the good lady was glad to be here. 
Even happier when we made the descent and headed off Braemar for coffee and cake.
The day had an even more spectacular finish. As we drove back darkness fell but the sky was spectacularly red. From here it looked as if the Aussie forest fires had arrived behind the Vrackie hills. 

Red sky appearing

Just stunning and another great day with a short hill walk that very few people will do but that is there miss. Long live the wee hills.

Wildlife: Blue Tit; Buzzard; Red Grouse; Pheasant.
Time: 1.51
Ascent: 630ft 
Distance: 2.06m