A short grassy mound.....Dungavel Hill

Hill: Dungavel Hill

Type: Sub2k

Height: 510m

Thirty minutes after leaving Goseland I was at the starting point for the short ascent of Dungavel Hill. Another lovely drive through the Clyde valley. The wind was much stronger and colder here so extra layering donned, must be getting soft.

Dungavel Hill from the start

Looking at the hill this was a much easier gradient, a rounded grassy hill. It does not look very exciting from this side but I got a look at its better profile as I drove to it. The better looking side is the Tinto route. Up here it is open moorland.

I had avoided this simple hill for some time as it was reputed to have a bull with his herd roaming free with a sign warning walkers at the start. A minute or two scanning the hill but no bovines could be seen and as I walked through the gate into the field the warning sign that I had seen in snaps was not there, good news or an ambush ahead.

As you can see tussock after tussock

Into the field and there was a boggy path of sorts through the long grass to the base of the hill. No snaps taken going up as all you see in front of you is tussocky grass and then more tussocky grass etc. There were plenty of wee holes where voles/mice were running through so surprised to only spot one.

Tinto across the valley

Finally I reached a plateau of sorts and met the fence that leads to the trig. Tinto was also in view a huge visual relief from just grass.  

Goseland in line with broken trig

A short walk via a quad bike track and I reached the trig, well what was left of it, not me I didn't do it!! Maintenance required please.

It was blowing a hoolie and looking very grey coming from the west. But the views down the upper Clyde valley were special. Across the way the popular Tinto looked so close, a better hill from this side without the heavily foot trodden scarred landscape on its other flank.

Clyde valley and Goseland

Looking back Goseland hill was not obvious but it was in the snap.

After taking in the views it was simply a case of descending back to the car where just as I reached the fence I spooked 3 roe deer. Two gracefully leapt the fence and ran onto the moor opposite. The third was obviously as fit as me and went through the wire rather than over it, not very elegant. No damage done and after a run over the moor all three regrouped, stopped and gave me the death stare.

Bleak moor the deer are there somewhere

So overall objectives achieved. I am feeling tired and achy but re-energised. Two new hills on the trip and not another person in sight never mind close to give or catch the virus. 

RIP

Back at the car I had not noticed at the start this little poppy attached to the fence along with 3 small wooden crosses, no idea why it is there but RIP.

Sorry wee Nic but for my sanity life must go on and the hills are a major part of that. Thanks Wyatt.

Ascent: 190m

Distance: 2.21km

Time: 1.05

Wildlife: Roe Deer; Raven; Field mouse/vole; 

Short, short. Steep, steep...............Goseland Hill

Hill: Goseland Hill

Type: Sub2k

Height: 435m

I was listening to my favourite radio presenter, Wyatt, when he said he was playing a track that has become a rock anthem for these disturbed times. Wyatt is very open regarding his own mental health issues and the track resonated with me, at times it feels like it is getting tougher rather than easier. The track is not for everyone but if you like heavy rock give it a listen or watch the video on You Tube. Five Finger Death Punch: A Little Bit Off (Today).

So only one way to get over the blues is to get some fresh air and get some muscle burn. I wanted a couple of hills that would be short but testing. They also had to be isolated hopefully meeting nobody else. A look at my To Do list and the map threw up two obvious choices.

Farm track at start but I just headed up to the right

There was meant to be a weather window for at least the morning so an early start was made and the opportunity taken for my first ascent which was Goseland Hill.  A lovely drive into a beautiful valley along narrow winding country roads keeping a keen eye out for whatever might come your way but I was lucky. The map marks quite a few forts and settlements, this would have been a busy place in years gone by.

Parked up Gosland Farm (no e!)and walked along to a gate leading to the farm. Rather than walk past the farm I kept my isolation and simply headed up the very steep grass and heather slopes.  No sign of the objective from here at the beginning.

Looking across from where I came lovely rolling hills

Definitely not in such good physical condition as my gasping lungs confirmed, luckily no sheep to scare or coos to run away from.

Goseland Hill now in my sights

The summit was over to my left but it was easier to keep heading directly uphill to reach the ridge and tramp along from there. Although heavy heather cover there were plenty of animal tracks to make the ascent easier. It was a strong cold wind but it was giving me a welcome shove from behind.

Great view of Broughton hills with the Pentlands peaking up in background

The top was soon reached in 30 minutes and I was pleasantly surprised at how good the views were. Close by were the Broughton hills looking really inviting, very enticing and in the distance on the horizon the western Pentlands were very clear.

Tinto with Dungavel Hill on its left before the plantation

Turning northwards I could see Tinto (top in cloud) and along from it my second objective, Dungavel Hill.

I took the easy route back to the track again not going near the farm. There were plenty of fungi varieties around I wish I had the knowledge to know if these were safe to eat (memo Xmas present a wee fungi book).

Looking across the fields there is a small but finely shaped hill which looked like it should be a categorised hill but looking at the map it appears to be Cardon Hill, which is a subsidiary of its parent hill, the Donald Chapelgill Hill, which coincidentally I have been up a couple of times this year.

Descent the car is down by that farm track

I was surprised at how little wildlife spotted today but apart from that the walk fitted perfectly. When I checked my GPS back at the car I was surprised that the ascent was only 200m, it felt more but again another indicator of my walking fitness.

Time for a snack and then the short drive to my second brief ascent.

Ascent: 200m

Distance: 2.3km

Time: 51m

Wildlife: Kestrel; Wren; Magpie