Warmth at last for a short ramble.....Meigle Hill

Hill: Meigle Hill

Type: Sub2k

Height: 423m

I was on a wee break with the good lady and was not expecting to get a hill out of the trip, but she indicated a ramble might be good with all the fine dining calories we had taken on. Checking my to-do list I found a short Marilyn with a track all the way and only a short drive.

Yarrow valley fog

Looking out of the window it was a pea souper but I was confident that it would quickly burn off.

A lovely winding single track drive through the rolling Border hills to the start at Clovenfords.

It was a beautiful morning when we started, real heat, wow summer is all but over so this warmth was very welcome.

No obvious spots so parked up in a housing estate and walked the short distance to the start proper, which very unusually begins by walking through a working farm. No signs for walkers so hope it is the right place.

Through the buildings where a dirt track led up to another part of the farm, empty cow sheds, so the beasts might be encountered on the hill, don’t tell the good lady.

A wooden sign post indicated that there are a few walks around this area. For our ramble we initially followed the signs for the Meigle circuit.

The track was now a grassy and all around sheep were making plenty of noise as we passed them, presumably thought we had brought food. Ominously there were fairly fresh coo droppings and she had spotted them!

So the tactic was that I was on point walking about 20m ahead of her just in case I stumbled on the beasties.

Clovenfords on the right

Getting steeper I am ignoring the moans lol

Thankfully the gradient and ascent was as straightforward as I hoped, although there was still a few moans behind me which I chose to ignore.

Because it was a low gradient there was always the chance of meeting the beasts so I was on alert but so far so good. These rolling Border hills are a delight and the views were superb.

Cow tracks on the grass

Another signpost junction was reached, none of the routes that we were taking, our summit was the communication masts which were clearly visible. The walking tracks went cross country but we continued on the grassy track. Deep hoof prints and coo dung on the track but still no encounters with them.

Arrived at the first mast where the map marks something called Wallace's putting stone. I presume this round boulder is it with its cup and stone markings.

However the true summit is just after the 2^nd mast, a trig is on this side of the wall but a huge cairn on the other side of the stone dyke is the true top although there does not appear to be any difference.

Proof she made it

Still it was a beautiful day, the good lady was enjoying the views which included looking over our old stomping ground of Galashiels and beyond the Eildon's at Melrose. 

Wall butterfly. Been in the wars chunks out of its tail and wing

A few butterflies were flying around but one in particular caught my attention. This was a Wall butterfly which was my 1^st sighting this year and only my 3^rd ever so a lovely surprise.

After taking in the views we enjoyed a slow descent taking in more views and enjoying the warmth.

A good ramble and no coos spotted so good news all round. Time to go for a wee drive and find a nice cafe.

Ascent: 262m

Distance: 5.56m

Time: 1.55

Wildlife: Buzzard; Meadow Pipit; Wood Pigeon; Wren; Pheasant; Kestrel; Small White butterfly; Peacock butterfly; Wall butterfly;

A cold and muddy ramble.....Gael Charn (Monadhliath)

Hill: Geal Charn (Monadhliath) (White Hill)

Type: Munro

Height: 925

The big question is 'how do you tell when it is summer in Scotland'? Going by this year that is a very hard one to answer.

I had missed out on bagging this hill a few times but today was the opportunity to rectify that. The drive from Laggan to Garva Bridge has to be one of my favourites.

The water levels on the Spey, as viewed from General Wades bridge, looked on the low side considering the amount of rain that we have had. I know that the nearby Spey dam regulates water flow so looking at these levels I assume it is in this direction.

Arriving at the parking area it is empty. On previous occasions it has been full of campervans as well as walkers cars. This is ‘summer’, the schools are on holiday, it is one of the easier Munros, the forecast is okay, very surprised.

Everyone who has read a report on this hill will know it is a mudfest and after the recent rains it did not disappoint.

Path would get a lot muddier

This will be a fairly short report as not a lot happened on this ramble. It is a very straightforward walk along a distinct trail, it is a Munro after all. Very boggy as I followed it alongside the burn before making a detour. At one point I lost the track but knew it was not far away. Found it just before I had to cross it. The only distraction was a small group of four stags, not at all bothered with me.

Luckily, despite the recent rain, it was a straightforward burn crossing unlike recent stressful ones.

I had been feeling a bit chesty on the early stages but thankfully I was breathing okay as I started the final climb to the plateau. The wind was much stronger and colder, so much so that I had to put on a winter hat, unreal.

Although not a difficult section this seemed a long slow slog interrupted by a Ptarmigan who like the stags seemed not at all bothered by me. But they never do I love them.

Once I reached the plateau the weather was full on. The wind had increased but the telling factor was the temperature, I reckon the feel like wind effect was sub zero, at least my hands were telling me that was so.

The huge cairn appeared on the horizon, not the nicest walking across the boulders and I was happy to get there.

Hiding from the winds I took in the views which were monochrome but with the cold air the distance that could be seen was extensive and far further than should be the case for this time of year.

Ben Nevis in distance

Ben Alder range

The nearest hills were obviously Alder hills, Creag Meadaidh and onwards to Ben Nevis. But looking south I was sure I was looking at the Killin hills and SW the Glencoe mountains. Along with the Cairngorms to the north quite a viewpoint. But is was so cold I was not hanging about.

Creag Meadaidh & Laggan hills beyond

Track back to the parking area

On the descent I met a family who were the only other walkers on the hill today, as said earlier very strange for this time of the year.

About half an hour out the wind died and the temperatures soared. Of course I cursed that I was over dressed, zips opened, but it literally only lasted 15 minutes before it was windy and cold again, unreal.

Overall it was a good ramble. Despite my chestiness I was surprised to see that I had made such good time. Maybe one day it will be summer gear to enjoy.

Ascent: 651m

Distance: 13.4km

Time: 4.22

Wildlife: Ptarmigan; Meadow Pipit; Red Deer; Mountain Hare;

A Moffat hills circuit.....Great Hill & Carlavin Hill

Hill: Great Hill (770m) & Carlavin Hill (736m) Molls Cleugh Dod (785m)

Type: Donald Tops x2 + Donald

After yesterdays deluge I was not sure what I would be able to do today as my 'A' plan involved a burn crossing which might be too high and fast running for safety. But somewhere in the Moffat Hills it would be.

Blue sky start as I parked up at the Grey Mares Tail car park, £4 a car, National Trust property. I wouldn't mind if it had toilet facilities but this does not. I gave them the money any way but I am sure most don’t and you can park across the road if you wanted to.

Still the view from the parking area was vivid with the greens of the bracken and the purple of the heather outstanding. Also showing well was the clear line where the track makes a steep ascent, my future in a couple of minutes.

After all the rain the Grey Mares Tail waterfall was magnificent in power and colour fully living up to its name.

I was surprised that the climb treated me so gently as I did not have a lot of walking in my legs, pleased nevertheless. The waterfall was roaring but so was the wind, it was strong and cool once I topped out onto the open area.

Plan A had been to cross at the 1^st ford and head up White Coomb but as expected the burn was running fast and deep. In my mind I was aware that last year a walker got swept away trying to cross this burn. He managed to anchor himself around a rock before being swept over the waterfall and almost guaranteed death. Mountain rescue got him out but he was a lucky man.

I walked up the track to the mouth of Loch Skeen where although deeper than I would have liked, it was still water so I waded across to the other bank. Mid calf deep at times but no fast running water, still water logged boots to empty.

Mid Craig

Lochcraig Head & Loch Skeen

A not very pleasant muddy boggy section followed before I started climbing up Mid Craig. Good views up top before a short descent and then up to Firthybrig Head. Here I had another disappointment. As it was a strong cold wind I stopped to put a light weight jacket on. But I realised the top thing in my rucksack should have been my food bag. No sign of it as it dawned on me that I had obviously left it in my car boot. At least I had water and I could do with shedding a pound or to.

Great Hill on the right

Broken fence & faint trail to Great Hill

View to Hart Fell

Upon reaching the fence line I turned left and followed an ATV track across mostly good ground. Reached a broken fence line which I knew took me to the Donald top of Great Hill, a straightforward 30 minutes out and back and not a lot great about it from this angle.

Molls Cleugh Dod & Carlavin Hill

Back at the dyke it was decision time. Having no food it was fairly straightforward, changed my plan for a shorter route. I decided to go Plan C and head back to tick off Carlavin Hill. As I was high up anyway the walk was straightforward despite the strengthening buffeting wind.

Molls Cleugh Dod

Carlavin Hill

View from summit to Megget Reservoir

View to the Culter hills

Wandered back to Firthybrig Head then the short walk to Molls Cleugh Dod. Another Donald that I had already completed but stupidly had not added on the top.

A 40 minute round trip but I was now starting to feel a bit tired. The combination of lack of hillwalking fitness and no nutrition was taking its toll so straight back was the plan.

Heading back to Moll with White Coomb behind

Wet feet ahead

The descent was a straightforward enough retracing of my steps. The views from the top of Mid Craig were superb over Loch Skeen and beyond. Wet feet once again and then the trek back to the car. More tourists around at this time in the day. Out of the winds it was also a more pleasurable walk back. Looking at the burn there was no obvious drop in the water levels.

Not exactly what I wanted out of today but it is an excuse to come back and finish the job, after a dry spell of course.

Ascent: 785m

Distance: 18.7km

Time: 5.19

Wildlife: Meadow Pipit; Wheatear

The direct route to.....Taberon Law

Hill: Taberon Law

Type: Donald Top

Height: 636m

Back to the Manor Hills today for the Donald Top of Taberon Law. This hill could be included as part of the Pykestone/Drumelzier circuit but it adds on almost 2 hours and 300m of ascent. The quickest route on the map was from the south but that was probably a steep heather/bracken climb. However, although it is not shown on the 1:50 OS map, I had spotted on my 1:25 map that an ATV track seemed to rise from the valley to the summit. Google maps also showed a faint line, not sure what state it would be in but this was worth a punt.

Cars are not allowed into the private road so I parked at a lay-by about 300m north. Walking back to the entrance to Stanhope Farm was the most dangerous part, a windy country road, fast traffic, minimal verge to get onto, good luck.

Stanhope farm

Stanhope burn

My next concern was that from the map it looked like I would have to walk through the farm buildings, was this going to be okay with the owners? It was a pleasant walk to the farm but no sign of activity, human or animal. There was also a sign directing walkers so all good.

Through a short section of trees to the edge of the valley. I could hear a bird that I was not familiar with. The app said it was a Spotted Flycatcher but although it kept singing it was high up in the canopy and I never saw it.

Into the unknown

Next concern was what livestock was going to be around. I did see some cow droppings but luckily it was just sheep all the way.

This track goes to Dollar Law and along the way joins up with the Thief’s Road for those wanting a long walk through to the Meggat reservoir.

It really was pleasant ramble at this stage. Hemmed in by green bracken and purple heather, the only sound the wildlife and the sounds of the Stanhope burn, the peace and tranquillity was just what I wanted out of this ramble. 4 Peewits flew across, only seen these a couple of times this year, sadly rare birds now.

Taberon Law

All these beehives but didn't see a single bee. I suspect the noise and sight on a summers evening would be interesting

Then Taberon Law came into view and I could see a scar up top, looked like my hunch was correct.

Larsen trap

The lower section was an unsightly section carved out of the rocks, a few twists and turns and I reached a green section where a Corvid/Rapture trap (sometimes known as a Larsen trap), was hidden away from walkers on the main track. Checked it out and it did have a registration tag on it. It was unused at present but not a corvid or raptor was seen on my ramble today.

Of course this estates main income will be grouse shooting. The hills were lined with many gun butts in case there was any doubt.

After this it was a proper ATV track, obviously for the shooters and not walkers hence not shown on the bigger map. Being a hypocrite I used it anyway.

It was a case of head down and keep plodding upwards. It reminded me of the direct assault on Culter Fell. I sprung a few grouse, maybe only half a dozen in total, possibly the rest shot on the inglorious 12^th.

No difficulty apart from a few slips on the boggy sections churned up by the ATV’s. Sadly the weather had once again changed with a strong breeze, much colder than yesterday.

Looking east over to Drumelzier

View south to Broad Law

A small stone marked the summit. On a better day the views would be quite extensive but no so today.

Craig Head looks like ATV track continues over it

Jacket on as the first of a few showers hit me. I had intended to walk the ridge along to Craig Head and descend from there back to Stanhope. But I was too cold for that. 

The descent

Just one line of gun butts

A quick descent back to the less exposed valley. No need to rush, taking in the views and the many gun butts.

I spotted quite a few of these traps, another example of this just being a wildlife killing estate. Small satisfaction as I triggered this trap. Out of use until it is reset.

Two of the Peewits

Spent some time watching the Peewits watching me. Nice, as I said a rare sight so worth spending a few minutes with them. Also as I walked back I was intrigued by the huge cairn on the other side of the road, Worm Hill, I need to look it up.

Overall a short but worthwhile ramble and glad my hunch paid off.

Ascent: 452m

Distance: 9.51km

Time: 2.46

Wildlife: Peewit; Meadow Pipit; Rabbit; Spotted Flycatcher (h); Chaffinch; Blackbird; Red Grouse; Pheasant; Wood Pigeon