Not quite what I imagined for my 200th.....Knockan

Hill: Knockan

Type: Sub2k

Height: 372m

My last wee ramble of the day was a trip to Knockan which I knew was not much more than a wander up a wind farm track.

Walkhighlands describes Knockan as a sprawling upland that divides upper Glen Isla from Glen Fiddich. The summit area is now part of the site of an extensive wind farm (indeed it is).

The couple of miles or so on rising track coming up from outside Keith was like driving through a burn as the water cascaded down the single track. I was glad of the cars water assistance technology as I did not want any aquaplaning on this narrow track.

Safely arrived at the Hill of Towie wind farm and tucked my car in nicely so hopefully no big bad energy people will scrape it.

Very low cloud meant I could see the nearer turbines but the higher ones were alternating between visibility and then disappearing along with the mood of the weather.

Not a lot to describe on this ramble, a hard packed wind farm track is the same wherever and I have walked on quite a few of them.

Farmer John appearing beside the tank

It was a lot colder up here and sadly on came the rain again, heavy enough to get the hood up. I was amazed when another person appeared out of the gloom.

An old farmer type stopped for a brief chat. I was dressed for the Artic and he just had a gilet over his jumper, a tough guy.

Feeling less manly I wandered on, a left followed by a right hand turn then it was time to leave the track and hit the moor proper.

Had to be the high point

Through the gloom I could see what looked like a trig but I knew from the map that the trig was on the other side of the road on the Hill of Towie so there would not be two located so close to each other.

Onto the moor and although it was a mixture of deep heather, sphagnum bogs etc it was fairly flat so no real issues.

Looking to the west the only view

When I reached the high point I found that it was a small cairn structure, not a trig. Also nae views except one brief opening looking west.

I had to laugh as Knockan was disappointing in one sense, this was a big hill for me, my 200^th Sub2k. Would have been nice to have had something a bit more special but I suppose that is a selfish viewpoint, just enjoy the moment I told myself.

Too much burnt moor 

I reckoned that the nearest turbine was the shortest way off the moor rather than the way I had come in. As I headed to it I was surprised to note how much of the heather was burnt. I had seen a lot of grouse droppings so there must be quite a few here. But would they allow a shoot in the middle of a wind farm? Quite possibly as our SNP government gives the rich landowners everything they want. Anyway not my problem as I wont be back here again.

How the camera lies, this was heavy rain and gloom

Typically as I headed back to the car the rain intensified, probably the heaviest of the day and that says something.

Still good to get three small hills bagged on a day when it would have been easier to stay indoors.

But now I need to find a pub to raise a glass to my 200^th Sub2k and ease my disappointment lol.

Ascent: 96m

Distance: 3.8km

Time: 0.52

Wildlife: Meadow Pipit; Golden Plover

Not quite the planned ramble.....Meikle Balloch Hill

 Hill: Meikle Balloch Hill (Big or great hill of Balloch)

Type: Sub2k

Height: 366m

It was only about a 20 minute drive to get from Knock Hill to the start of this ramble.

Walkhighlands describes Meikle Balloch as lying to the east of Keith, on the boundary between Moray and Aberdeenshire. Its bare moorland summit rises clear above the forestry plantations.

I was surprised to see even one car in the parking area when I arrived on a wet day like this but dogs must be walked and hills must be climbed and as for the car occupants I never saw them.

That was intended to be return track

Standing in the heavy rain, no shelter, as I donned my waterproofs my attention was focused on the bright yellow warning signs regarding ongoing forestry operations. From the description some routes were not passable on a weekday. It gave the names of the tracks affected but no map so I did not know if I would get to the top or not. 

I was here anyway and fully weather clad so off I went following the blue signs which should be a straight up to the top track.

This would have been an interesting scene just after the storm

Immediately it was obvious how much storm damage there had been as the 1^st section to the next track was through major tree cutting which had been required to just keep this track open.

Upon reaching the upper track I expected to go straight across and then up a straight line to the top. But where was the other track, it was not obvious? A wee wander to my right nope, walked back and there it was but not easy to spot amongst the undergrowth.

As it turned out it was almost a straight line walk on a good gradient and track until I hit the big trees.

It was a wow moment, the darkness from the density of trees took me by surprise. The snaps make it look like there was light coming through but in the early stages definitely not like this.

Now steeper than earlier I was puffing a bit. It was a winding ascent and it took only a few minutes until I was on the moor back into the smir. The at times very wet path was the obvious way to the summit and as the rain eased and I was beginning to get some views of the surrounding countryside.

Trig in sight

The open moor stretch was slightly longer than expected, dodging back and forth to avoid the wet sections but no difficulties.

Almost looks a nice day, Knock Hill on the right

When I reached the trig I could see a couple of hills in the distance but to be honest I was not sure what they were, need to look at the map later.

Intended descent track with Hill of Towie the distance

My intention had been to make it a circular but the warning sign said that was not happening. I had not seen or heard anything of the forestry operations but there was no point in taking a chance and having to retrack.

Even on a dull day the deer grass in autumn colours is vibrant

Nice to be back in colour

So I simply returned the same way. Very pleasant descent until with 5 minutes to go the heavens opened once again, those showers certainly had me in their sights. At the parking area the other car had gone, a smart move.

Despite the weather and not getting the circular route it was still an enjoyable short ramble.

Ascent: 166m

Distance: 3.5km

Time: 0.56

Wildlife: Golden Plover; Blue Tit;