Saturday, 9 August 2025

Reservoir track meets Windfarm track eventually meets hill..... Carleatherarn

Hill: Carleatherarn (The fort by the swamp)

Type: Sub2k

Height: 485m



Carleatherarn had been on my to-do list for a year or so but today it was chosen more as a guide to fitness for higher and longer rambles.

About 3 weeks ago I had severely strained my right medial calf muscle and boy did it hurt. I found that I could cycle with medium pain but walking any distance was a no no without severe pain and that muscle tightening again.

In a few days I had a planned long distance ramble that I needed to know whether I had any chance of completion or whether to pull out.

There are two options for this hill basically from the north with the possibility of cattle, a short steep ascent followed by bog and peat at the higher levels heading for the summit. Or from the south with a longer ramble but mainly along hard picked water board and wind farm tracks.

I needed to test that leg muscle endurance so the south option was chosen.

To get there involved a final section of single track roads that rivalled anything the highlands has to offer. Beautiful countryside by the way when I had the chance to look sideways instead of praying that I wasn't meeting anything coming my way.

Surprised at how much water coming down the falls but reservoir controlled and they might have been releasing water

I didn't meet any traffic and reached the start at the Earl’s Burn waterfall. So much for avoiding the coos who were on the grass near the start but the herd were happy sitting chewing the cud and ignored me.

Just knew a wee stone or three would get into my boots

The track up to Earlsburn Reservoir 1 was hard going on a stony hard packed surface. Calf muscle was already complaining and I wondered how far I would get.


Not sure but think it might be juvenile Stonechat, saw adult pair on the way back

I had considered cycling the two reservoirs but a locked gate at the fishing club would have scuppered that. When they spotted me the barnacle geese headed out to the centre of the reservoir.

The track was still hard on the feet until I reached reservoir 2 and a short section on rough wet/boggy ground where it was not hard on the feet but on my achilles.

Carleatherarn to the right of the turbine

So I opted to change my planned route and headed up to to the nearest visible turbine (No6 as it turned out).

This detour meant a longer walk on the hard packed wind farm roads.

Windfarm ramble

Weather good, birds singing, calf sore & tight but not worsened, life could be harder.

A solo cyclist broke my solitude but that changed big style when a convoy of 5 vehicles came roaring up from behind creating a dust storm.


Looks dilapidated but that's often deliberate to reduce curious walkers taking a peek.

I had a brief chat with them, all the workers had English accents, so much for these unsightly utilities creating local employment. Then continuing up the track to meet the grouse butts. I was surprised at how many there were over the landscape. They were well kept but despite their numbers I neither spotted nor heard any grouse.

Fine stone mound

Seen better here

A rough track led to the huge ancient cairn and trig of Carleatherarn. This is the highest point on the Gargunnock Hills but is also included within the Campsie Fells region. No surprise that this was a valued hill, the views were superb all round. It is said 100 miles plus on a clear air day. 

View back to the reservoirs

Sub2k of Stronend highest point on the left

Today was mot such a day but still the Firth of Forth was glittering in the distance. I was on mainly paths bit looking around it is easy to see how the hill got its name.

Earl's Seat right of pylon


Back to real walking

I was pleased that my calf had got this far but it was far from normal and I had a couple of hours walking back on the same terrain.

Common Sandpiper

Stonechat (m)

As such I simply backtracked with the highlight being spotting a Common Sandpiper. Walked back to the car in a much hotter temperature than the ascent. With 2 reservoirs and a burn plenty of opportunities to top up the water. 

The final stone section after the last dam was difficult for me but although it was throbbing I was glad the calf had passed the first test, so long as it doesn't tighten up overnight.

Another ramble in a new part of the country so all good.

Ascent: 293m

Distance: 14.8km

Time: 3.35

Wildlife: Skylark; Meadow Pipit; Red Kite; Raven; Carrion Crow; Common Sandpiper; Stonechat; Barnacle geese; Pied Wagtail; Wood pigeon, Curlew; Chaffinch, Swallow; House Martin;

Monday, 4 August 2025

A fine day for an outstanding hill.....Beinn Resipol

Hill: Beinn Resipol (Homestead)

Type: Corbett

Height: 845m


This was my 4th attempt to bag this cracking hill which has been on my to-do list almost since I started hillwalking. On the other occasions my free day had been wet and/or cloudy but I was holding out for a clear weather day as I knew that the views would be spectacular and today was one such a day. The SMC book describes the view from the top as ‘ one of the finest views along the West Highland coastline’ so not too be missed.

There are two options for the ascent and I chose the one from Resipol caravan site which is arguably tougher, longer with a greater ascent as starting from sea level. But, you do have the conical view of the hill whereas from the eastern approach the summit is of the flatter ridge and not quite so scenic.

I had been warned that the walk from here could be a bog fest but I was confidant that after these weeks of no rain the going would be ok.

Lovely view down Loch Sunart at the start

I was aware that the caravan park had changed hands and was not sure about parking but good for them they have left space for about 5/6 cars for hill walkers.

It was a very quick boot change as the midgies were in full biting mode, wow, should I get my head net out?


Headed off through the beautiful oak woods full of birdsong and thankfully no midgies. A short open section before hitting a mixed natural wood, there was good shade for a while. I was struggling to get a good walking/breathing rhythm as the track steepened.

The boggy (dry) section

Out on the hillside I now had a view of the hill which it looked quite steep from here. This middle grassy section was the bog fest and although it had dried up considerably there were still many unavoidable boots in mud sections but a lot better than it might have been.

Then onto rougher ground following the right hand side of the Allt Mhic Chiarain where it enters a nice narrow gully. The track is very narrow at times and is easily lost particularly as the ascent steepens sharply and slight hands on sections add to the interest.

Looking ahead I could not see any obvious route but the as I gain height the track does begin to head towards the bealach on the left of the summit. It looked very craggy but I was sure a route would be there.

Large cairn is up there

A slight plateau is reached and you could head up at any spot as there were a few narrow grassy sections between the boulders.

Views east Ardgour Corbetts forefront Mamores behind

Loch Sunart

But I continued on the rising plateau until it almost drops away before making my meandering route upwards through the boulders to the top.

Loch Sunart to left Loch Shiel on the right

A short easy scramble leads to the top and its huge cairn. Then a wee scramble up the stones to the wooden pole marking the summit.

Loch Shiel back to Glenfinnan

The SMC description did not mislead. The views, despite the slight haze, did not disappoint. Quite stunning a widespread as the snaps show.

Back down via the lochan

Sadly up top the midgies had returned now supported by clegs, I killed two of them before deciding to down by the same route.

Eigg on left, Rum behind

Back at the car I was delighted to find that there was a breeze and it was midge free, yippee.

Today was a top ramble to a fine peak and I was so glad that I had waited for that blue sky day. Also worked up a good appetite for the taster menu at The Kilcamb Hotel which was only a few hours away.


Ascent: 868m

Distance: 12.9km

Time: 4.56

Wildlife: Mistle Thrush; Greenshank; Meadow Pipit; Grey Wagtail; Cuckoo (h); Woodpecker (h); Willow Warbler;