A return to the hill of gates.....Beneraird

Hill: Beneraird

Type: Sub2k

Height: 439m

A bright Sunday morning and an outing with Ayr & District to Beneraird. I have been up this small hill once before bur started from Ballantrae so interesting to see this route. Plus the descent includes a new hill so worth a leg stretcher.

No hardship this morning taking the coastal drive with the beautiful Ayrshire coast shoreline the main view.

Nice to see a few old friends that due to Covid I have seen for quite some time.

The ramble from Ballantrae involved quite a few gates en route but this trumped it by some way. Non stop opening and closing these bulky things. 

Lovely country track

The initial stage passing an electricity power station on one side and a deforested area on the other flank not the nicest but that soon changed to a farm track. More pleasant and lots of sheep but thankfully most were a distance from us so no disturbance.

After a short pleasant stroll, albeit in light snow for a spell, we reached the junction of my previous route.

The group get a lecture from Sheila on hut circles

We took some time to look at the area of ground where three hut circles are marked on the OS map. 

Old tyres good for something

I don't think that the mound of old tyres were their remains but there were three identifiable raised mounds that matched the OS locations. 

Hut circle ground with mounds 2 & 3 just ahead

No doubt some aerial x ray photography would show them up in detail but using your imagination the mounds cold be the locations of three separate Crannog style structures.

Beneraird trig ahead

Onwards up the straightforward track until Beneraird is reached. 

Look one direction and snow showers dominate

Fabulous views albeit the Awful Hand seemed to be on a constant winter weather front, lots of white stuff for anyone walking these today.

Look the other way & blue skies

However we had superb views over Arran with the Paps of Jura a stand out from this angle. Ailsa Craig and the Mull of Kintyre behind. Even Ireland's coastline is clear today, the clear winter air letting us see as far as our eyes and the horizon allows.

Ruined vehicle still here, Smyreton ahead

The windchill was too cold for a lunch break here so a stroll back down the track to find some shelter before we headed for Smyreton Hill.

Wall is the windbreak for lunch

This section was pathless over typical moorland terrain. Not overly challenging as the ground is so dry. The biggest hazard barbed wire fencing, more blood drawn. These do not agree with me.

Last moor crossing

Still enjoyable views as we headed for the mast at Auchencrosh Hill. Following faint paths, most likely animal tracks but when found they helped the walking.

Finally the maintenance track back to the main road and a short walk back to the cars. Fresh coo pats but never spotted the beasties themselves.

A short but enjoyable day, dry and a sun/weather skelped face, glad I put on some sun lotion. Plenty of chat with old and new. Almost seems normal! Only disappointment minimal wildlife but that's group walking for you. I had hoped for an early cuckoo but not to be, hopefully soon.

Ascent: 523m

Distance: 14.5km

Time: 4.24

Wildlife: Raven; Skylark; Meadow Pipit

Blackcraig Circuit in reverse

Hill: Blackcraig & Blacklorg

Type: Graham/Donald

Tramping the same old hills but hopefully not for much longer. Back to Glen Afton. For a change I decided to do this in reverse of the normal circuit. Just blogged the start as it was different then just snaps.

From parking the meandering tree line our route

Parked at the usual spot we walked back to the farm and followed the track beside the Craig burn. Most previous outings I have descended off the nose of Craigbraneoch but I thought walking further up the track would  make for an easier climb, wrong!

The track was built for forestry purposes but stopped early, maybe they made too much money from the windfarms across the way to be concerned about tree planting. However, they might not have planted too many trees but the did build deer fences and doublers at that in some sections.

Deer fence

So, my plan to go further up the track was curtailed as I wanted walking fitness but I did not want to climb deer fences.

After deciding no climbing fences it was now onto the rough stuff, very rough stuff. Rather than contouring it was easier to go uphill at an angle heading for the plateau just short of the top. 

Steep ascent on rough ground

Slow going as the underfoot was Galloway terrain at its worst. Lots of rocks hidden and not. Lots of holes likewise. Plus it was a steep gradient ranging in the 30-50% and at times even steeper, face in all four hands and feet required. I wanted to work on my hill fitness and I was getting it. Breathing too hard, wow.

Cannock Hill, Alwhat behind

Blacklorg

Blacklorg cairn looking east

Blackcraig from Blacklorg

Blackcraig from boggy plateau

Finally on top and it was a case of following the normal circuit in reverse. Enjoyable as different perspective of the prolonged views mainly south. Although extremely windy and cold the sky stayed clear for the most part so views were excellent.

Blackcraig trig looking north

More turbines to spoil the descent

Quintin Knowe, disputed boundary marker between Ayrshire & Dumfries

New track

Looking over to Craigbraneoch

Another step forward in the fitness battle and a good walk on a bracing day.

Ascent: 762m

Distance: 13.3km

Time: 5.18

Wildlife: Chaffinch; Meadow Pipit; Skylark

Mullwharchar....the most remote hill in South West Scotland and at times it felt like it.

Hill: Mulwharchar (Hill of the Lapwing)

Type: Graham/Donald

Height: 692m

As I drove along Loch Doon at just after 7am, temperature showing -2deg, I was amazed at how many people had stayed here overnight. If I said 50 tents I think I would be underestimating. Yesterday afternoon the traffic was the busiest since the first lockdown, I guess people have just had enough, me included.

Sunrise over Loch Doon

The fog was down but it was a stunning morning. I suspect most of the tent occupants missed this, too blinking cold to get out of a sleeping bag. 

My first view of the Dungeon range.

Mullwharchar is certainly the most remote hill in SW Scotland and as you look down from Hoodens and look at the landscape below you can understand why. Because of its remoteness it was considered an ideal place to bury nuclear waste, thankfully that was rejected.

The Wolf Stock

It was cold enough when I started walking to have my hood up. I knew the initial stage was a walk along a hard packed forest construction track but surprised myself by doing it in an hour to the bridge over Gala Lane. Sore on the feet.

Gala Lane bridge with Mullwharchar & Hoodens

The next section was  certainly not sore on the feet, 20 minutes of bog, tussocks, water etc. I followed a track of sorts but it did the job and got me to the flanks of Hoodens Hill. 

Indeed I was looking at the intriguing named crags 'The Wolf Slock'. My short ascent full of tussocky ground avoided these and I saw no wolves.

Huge boulder precariously balanced

Up top I found a faint track which disappeared as much as I followed it. Hoodens hill was a tough little hill. Much longer than it appears, awkward walking and many false tops. Was it only 9.30am?

The sky was blue and it was warming up. My burning neck led to sun cream being applied, 1st week in April and snow next week wow. There are more crags off to the left 'Yellow Tomach' great name but what does it mean?

Typical slabs that aided walking

After what seemed like an age I reached the long plateau called Hoodens Hill. A mix of tussocks, stone slabs and the odd track kept me plodding along. A small cairn but this did not look like the highest point.

Mullwharchar left, Hoodens middle and Merrick right

Previous walkers have created small cairns all over the place although not sure how helpful they are.

M & M from Hoodens

Looking ahead I see Mulwharchar and then the descent down to the two lochans which I want to split. Its only a descent of just under 100m and the stone slabs aid progress. Plenty of small red/brown lizards or newts near the lochans. Far too quick appearing and disappearing to get a snap.

Harder walking to Mullwharchar

The 200m plus ascent of Mullwharchar is a case of using more of the slabs to aid progress, avoid as many tussocks as possible. You got the idea and thankfully no false summits.

The Awful Hand range from Mullwharchar

Once on top the views were stunning a fitting reward for the slog before and still to come. The best view was seeing the full range of the Awful Hand quite special on a day like this. To the south Dungeons Hill & Craignaw, another long day ahead for those two.

Meandering Gala Lane and the moor to cross plus Loch Doon top left

A careful descent and reascent of Hoodens and I was looking down over the moor that I had crossed from the bridge over Gala Lane. This really is remote ground. From up here there looked an alternative route but I knew the terrain would be poor, better sticking to the 20 minute sometimes track through the plantation. Indeed once down I found a better track than my in route and glad I stuck with it.

Over the bridge and back on to the hard pack road for the walk back to the car. Delighted to see a shadow flickering about and it turned out to be a Peacock butterfly. Not my first sighting but first snap of the year, spirits lifted.

Peacock

A long and tough walk, nobody else spotted, so almost 7 hours of just me and my mind games!!

Ascent: 894m

Distance: 23.7km

Time: 6.51

Wildlife: Kestrel; Buzzard; Chaffinch; Robin; Meadow Pipit; Raven; Peacock butterfly; Tadpoles: Lizard?

Hill: Grey Hill circuit

Type: Sub2k

It was my first outing for quite some time with the Ayr OIR. Different being used to a group walking environment albeit split into two teams to spread us out. Still it was enjoyable to reconnect with a lot of old walking buddies.

I was initially in two minds as this is not my favourite circuit, in part very muddy, but I was hoping the prolonged dry spell prior to the weekends deluge might have dried it out. 

As we headed out of Girvan Ailsa Craig was covered in a bonnet of cloud, a lovely start.

Thankfully there was a stile nearby

We walked up a farm track only to find it was the wrong one so back to the road and up the correct one. The farmer clearly did not want people around!

This magnificent tup was looking lonely separated from his girls, never mind he will be back in action soon. 

Butterbur

Interesting flora and fauna opening up. This butterbur alongside the stream will fully open up with a brush like head, a member of the daisy family. This is our only native Butterbur and only seen in the lowlands plus Western Isles and Orkney.

We were avoiding fields with livestock, just as well, the Belted Galloways were frisky running right to the wire fence as soon as they spotted us. I remember livestock issues from my last venture here but that was horses maybe later.

Byne Hill

We contoured Byne Hill before doing a sharp climb up the several false tops to the trig, that got the lungs going.

Grey Hill

We took a drop from the top line and flanked below Cairn Hill before having a moorland tramp heading for Grey Hill. Then we spotted group 2 coming up the slopes, their track route had allowed them faster walking. Not wanting to meet we sprinted across the tussocks to meet the outliers before heading up the ridge to Grey Hill, beat them, just!

Looking back to Byne Hill, our descent route

We were heading for Pinbain Hill, a first for most of us but now so did group 2 avoiding Grey Hill.

We had to follow them but thankfully they pulled off and we marched past waving and commenting to each other. That was their final top but on we went a meander up and down small rolling tops and barbed wire fences. Plenty of them today.

Small cairn on Pinbain Hill

When we reached Pinbain we had good views down to Lendalfoot and across to Ailsa Craig from its small stone cairn.

Lunch stop please

Wind blowing more than a breeze so back we went to find a sheltered spot for lunch. The sun was out, the sky and the sea were blue and it was just us, a fine lunch break.

Back at Grey Hill, Pinbain middle right

Back up the steep moor slopes to Grey Hill and then a skyline route back over Fell Hill, through the gloopy stuff with the horses staying away to the side.

Monument and Ailsa Craig

Avoiding Byne Hill we went back down the monument track, more horses and bigger but no issues.

Mum's not bothered as the foal runs round her

At the bottom we were mesmerised by the youngest donkey I have seen running round the field bucking its hind legs, the joys of freedom, you got to smile at that.

A great end to a good day out and walking fitness being built up for the big months ahead when real freedom arrives. And great banter with the group.

Ascent: 702m

Distance: 16.1km

Time: 5.04

Wildlife: Meadow Pipit: Skylark; Carrion Crow; Chaffinch: Pied Wagtail; Gannet: Snipe. 

Glengap Hill recce

Hill: Glengap

Type: N/a

Height: Circa 500m

I decided to recce a portion of the walk I am leading on Sunday for Ayr & District particularly checking out the burn crossing which can be an issue if in full flow.

Forecast was not great as we are experiencing a westerly weather front, strong winds, low cloud and rain and yes I got all three.

As I drove past Shalloch you could barely see the start for the expected low cloud but when I reached my start it was brightening up to the west, brief optimism.

As stated I was not doing the full walk just checking the burn. 

I walked the road section down to Witches Bridge. Looking across to Glengap was disappearing in new cloud which was being blown from the SE not the expected direction.

Looking down I love a meandering burn and this does not disappoint. Additionally the huge sheep pen is an indicator of just how many sheep grazed these hills in the past but a lot less now. The pen is so large and established it shows on the OS maps.

A splashy walk down to the burn and as expected it was an easy crossing after the recent dry spell. But the crossing I needed to check, same burn, was the other side of Glenap hill.  A tramp over the rough terrain and yip will be fine.

Just in case the clouds were low again on Sunday I decided to return via Glengap itself to further the recce.

This hill is not big but it is a steep little beggar particularly with yesterdays near 800m in my legs. I ascended with plenty of short sections and lots of breathers. My calves were burning and my breathing not much better, still well short of where I want to be.

As expected about two thirds up I entered the cloud and no more views. So I looked back and the ground looked far away, confirmation it was a tough wee climb.

Once it plateaued at the top the ground was rough but surprisingly dry. There was a lot of fox scat and I came across a sheep carcase the bones well spread out. I imagine a sheep will keep the scavengers in feed for many weeks.

There was very low forward visibility so just stuck to a pre planned bearing which eventually took me to Rowantree hill.

I was looking for an ATV track in the wet moor grass and found a faint one. Still no visible reference so I followed it but realised quickly it was not quite the right direction. No big deal as I could come off the hill at any point but I wanted to find the ATV stone track.

After wandering in what I thought was correct a pile of stones loomed out of the gloom, the new track. Didn't need to find it but glad I persevered.

A good short exercise to continue building hill fitness and hopefully the weather might be more favourable for the full walk at the weekend. 

Ascent: 349m

Distance: 5.5km

Time: 1.52

Wildlife: Raven; Meadow Pipit