A long bike/hike but well worth it.....Stob an Aonaich Mhor

Hill: Stob an Aoinaich Mhor (Peak of the big crest)

Type: Corbett

Height: 853m

A short Perthshire trip to collect a couple of overdue hills. But help ma boab! We have had really warm weather so for once and along with the forecast I did not fill the car with all my gear, no waterproofs/warm gear. Yip you guessed correctly this morning I woke up to low grey cloud and drizzle.

A lovely early morning drive to the start with the clouds starting to lift and the odd patch of blue sky appeared.

This was planned as a bike hike trip but I already had a concern. I knew that at the start there was a locked vehicle gate which the estate were not likely to open for a cyclist. What would I find? Luckily it did have a small pedestrian side gate which thankfully my bike got through.

From here there followed an 8 mile cycle to get to the start of the walking bit. All gradually uphill so the walking bit was minimised. My other concern was that some previous reports had mentioned encountering cattle on route but although I cycled past 3 feeding stations thankfully no beasties were seen.

As it is 8 miles long the ascent is gradual with only a couple of steep pitches. The early couple of miles had quite a broken surface, lots of big holes and loose stones so constantly winding through the gaps.

When I turned one corner a couple of roe deer appeared, looked at me and just as quickly disappeared behind the lumps.

It was cool but not overly cold the cycling keeping my body temperature up. A glance to my side where I spotted the pointed peak of Schiehallion poking out above the clouds.

Along the way I had a couple of season firsts, a Cuckoo calling (about time, late this year) and the Wheatears which were numerous. 

Also I encountered a large herd of wild goats including many young looking kids but they ran just as fast as the adults when I approached.

This is rough rugged and very isolated terrain. I noticed a sizeable hydro dam which I believe is located at the start of Loch Ericht. I would get much more spectacular loch views from the summit.

This already seemed like a long bike ride and I could see the track continuing quite far away. Looking at the OS map I was only about half way through the cycle. I originally thought it was 6 miles but turned out to be 8 miles. Onwards and upwards, very cool at times.

Finally my hill is the one in the background, some sun as well!!

I had my sights on a rugged lump which I thought might be the target but it turned out that this was Carn Dearg although mine did come into view not long after. According to the map I was cycling though the Talla Bheith Forest but that forest was a long time ago as there was a distinct lack of natural trees, the odd pine plantation dotted around.

I was taken aback to see a car come over a top heading my way. I stopped to let them past and disappointingly no acknowledgement from the two females. Presumably from Corrievarkie Lodge. 

Not the most secure place to lock up the bike but I didn't really expect it to disappear

Soon after I was glad that it was time to park the bike and get those boots working on that hill.

Looks a lot flatter than it was but just keep heading to the high point, then the next etc

Looking up there was no sign of the top but I knew it was not far away, it was going to be a series of elevations. The terrain was heather and peat hags but there were plenty of dry grassy sections to take advantage of.

As such I took a direct line towards the top which was straightforward enough. The peat hags could be easily crossed or avoided so not a hazard.

I was in no rush and enjoyed the slow steady plod. As expected upon reaching a visual high line there would be another one beyond it and then repeat. But as said it was fairly gentle and pleasant ascent. There were hundreds of red deer hoof prints and fresh droppings but sadly no live beasts spotted.

Then I had a nice surprise when I hit upon the summit cairn without realising I was almost there, a very pleasant surprise.

Ben Alder range

Looking back down Loch Ericht Corrour Munros still with some snow

And also a wow moment when I hit the ridge the Ben Alder Munros suddenly appeared. Throw in the very steep view down into Loch Ericht, this was a very airy potentially vertigo feeling moment.

View North towards Dalwhinnie

Wide shot of the Alder Munros and Loch Ericht

Great views all round but the rear side hills were dark forbidding moorland lumps compared to the brighter Alder hills. The dark side were mainly the Dalnaspidal Corbetts.

After taking in the views I took a more varied track taking more advantage of the grassy sections and avoiding the hags.

On descent long view of the dam at Loch Ericht

Wheatear

Glen Lyon hills on the distance

Back on the bike there were sections of fun cycling which is why I love bike/hiking. At times fast eye popping descent trying to avoid the many potholes and not slide on the scree. Plus taking caution to avoid the large tyre damaging sharp edged stones. But I did also stop on a few occasions to take in the views. It is easy to just keep cycling and miss out on them but I was in no rush.

And this tick is also the completion of Section 5 in the SMC Corbetts book Loch Rannoch to Drumochter.

Happy with that, it would have been a long slog up and back on that hard packed surface.

Ascent: 771m

Distance: 28.8km

Time: 3.34

Wildlife: Red Grouse; Pheasant; Buzzard; Great Tit; Meadow Pipit; Wheatear; Skylark; Roe Deer; Woodpecker (h); Cuckoo (h); Feral Goats; Common Frog;

A good leg stretcher.....Lochan Beinn Damhain

 Walk: Lochan Beinn Damhain

My mindset was such that it hadn’t felt like a long winter so far but it had felt like a long time since I had a non local walk. Unfortunately I had limited time today but decided to not waste it and do a recce of the 1^st half of a walk that I planned to do in full in the near future.

There has been a lot of snow around so I was uncertain of what I was going to be faced with. One thing about solo walking is that the boot space is all mine to use. So everything thrown in and I would decide when I had sight of the terrain. So big and small rucksacks, 2 pairs of boots, 3 jackets, crampons and spikes and everything else I could think of.

Dashboard said -5% as I drove left home.

As I rounded Loch Lomond the Ben was on my right and had a snow covering a long way down which I expected. However the Luss hills on my left were mainly clear with only snow visible at the highest levels, food for thought.

I parked up at the start at Inverarnan Farm, very limited parking but I got one of the two obvious spaces. Looking forward the Crianlarich hills were heavily snow covered but again close by was relatively clear. Decision time but I was not going to get any proper sight of the terrain until I was higher up. So big rucksack was my choice stuffed with lots of just in case items. Spikes not crampons, trusting what I was seeing.

I had been up this track once before when bagging the Corbett of Meall an Fhudair. It would be ideal bike/hike but the gate at the start is always locked and too big to get my bike over. So shanks pony it was.

Just after I started I heard a Jay calling and then spotted a pair of them. I reckon I have seen more Jays in the last 3 months than I have in my entire life, no exaggeration. Locally I noticed that most corvids seem to have had a late brood hence greater numbers, maybe the same for Jays.

My lack of walking was telling, this is a right in your face start. I was huffing and puffing. Thankfully the local herd of Highland coos were not around to witness my sufferings.

Gained height with views being better looking back

The hard packed track is for hydro workers but I was grateful to use it. A T-junction was reached and at my last visit it was turn right for the Corbett but today I was going left. A couple of kilometres on the track was no hardship, stunning blue skies and not another person around.

I reached the dam which is where I was originally going to stop. But looking at the map I decided to suss out the route to the lochan which I could use when I returned for the full climb.

Much of the lying water had frozen solid creating some big ice patches underneath so spikes donned.

I decided to follow the burn assuming it came from the lochan. I was surprised to find an on/off narrow track, surely animal rather than human. This Fiona would not get that sort of traffic.

Even the waterfalls were partially frozen

The burn was spectacular as although it was running quite fast large patches were still frozen solid. It did cross my mind that it could be an awkward risky crossing but as I was not doing the full hill it was not an issue.

The track was found and disappeared just as quickly and there were a few right beside the water issues wondering if the ground might give.

The going was actually better than expected and on a non winter day would be straight forward.

At the picturesque lochan I could see the top of Beinn Damhain which from here looked very icy but not snow covered. I knew I didn’t have the time to get it done but I was tempted. Also the predicted weather change was happening, blue sky disappearing, low dark clouds scudding through and western hills tops were disappearing.

The Corbett of Meall an Fhudair top left

So time to backtrack but the objective had been achieved. I had seen enough to know that when I returned the Fiona should be straightforward.

Ben & Loch Lomond

As I approached the bridge I heard the rumbling and the driver even waved and tooted his horn

On the descent spectacular views of the winter dressed Crianlarich hills helped pass the time. Never saw another person and a disappointing lack of wildlife, almost non existent. But it was another short workout which my hill fitness will benefit from.

Ascent: 484m

Distance: 10.4km

Time: 3.38

Wildlife: Jay; Great Tit; Blackbird; Wren

Red clay & Red grouse.....Dirrington Great Law

Hill: Dirrington Great Law

Type: Sub2k

Height: 398m

Another short ramble today which completes my Lammermuir Hills collection. Although Dirrington is a few miles away from the main range it is considered part of the Lammermuir's albeit as an outlier.

A short drive, only 5 miles or so from Duns, but it feels much more remote and isolated. If it were not for a couple of farms around it would be considered an area on non human habitation.

I parked up beside a gate and got ready in a temperature not far off zero but it was calm, no wind.

The direct approach

From the start I had a good view of Dirrington and whilst it might not be a big hill from this view it had a slightly pointed triangular shape, that will do fine.

My option

There are basically 2 options for the hill. Go cross country in a direct line from the gate and take on whatever the terrain throws at you. Or follow the estate tracks in a round about way. I was in no rush so I went for the latter.

Sadly Dirrington has many heather patches in view so no doubting that it is still an active grouse moor.

I started up the track tramping through the squelchy infamous red mud. Was it a by product of some old mining? Had a look later but nothing like that shown on the map.

On one side the water was still frozen, actually looked picturesque but no summer temperatures here.

As I walked through the recently planted trees I noticed movement coming my way. A brown hare, eyes down focused on the track, lopped towards me. When only feet away it realised I was there and stopped dead. We had a stare out. I slowly moved my hand to get my camera but of course it reacted to that and jumped sideways into the heather patches and disappeared. Just minutes after another one appeared but that one was more aware and disappeared as soon as it spotted me.

Browsing sheep were in and about the newly planted trees so just as well the trees had plastic protectors. From my very inexperienced eyes it looked like most were surviving.

It didn’t take too long to hear to hear and spot my first red grouse. As it turned out there were plenty around so a successful winter for this lot. What they don't know is that Autumn is their dangerous time!!

The track was meandering so I was walking away from my destination but it did not take too long for the track to start turning and head towards a stone dyke that I would follow to the top.

Behind me a large number of Greylag geese were being spooked by something. Their loud calling dominated the air as they rose, flew for a bit before dropping again. I could not see a flying predator so possibly a fox on the prowl agitated them. Still for a while I had constant honking as my background noise.

Now at the dyke there was no track but the heather had been cut in long strips so the walking was straightforward. Constantly jumping about as the dead heather is still strong and sharp edged and could damage my leather boots.

As I rose I noticed the other side of the dyke was lined with double electric wired fencing with regular yellow danger of death warning triangles. What is that all about on a hill like this? The sooner we get rid of these shooting estates the better.

The top areas were dotted with small snow patches but it was a moving patch of white that caught my eye. A hare in its white winter coat. Scotland’s only native hare. Interesting to see both varieties within just 100m of altitude difference but both are within their parameters. The mountain hare is now a protected species and should be numerous but I suspect the grouse moors still illegally cull them.

I can see my car

Reached the top which was flatter than it looked from the start, not quite so pointed up here, indeed no pointy bit at all. There are two pre historic cairns at the top which are estimated to be bronze age. 

It can be clearly seen that there are mounds of some sort but they are covered in heather. 

In between the mounds is the original trig which is in the sort of state I normally am on reaching a summit these days, lying on its side amongst the heather. It is unlikely to be replaced or refurbished, technology has marched on and trigs are now redundant.

The nearest Lammermuir Hills 

I was happy enough with the views particularly over to the snow covered main Lammermuir hills along with the higher Pentland hills, certainly more snow covered sitting in the distance. Nearer to hand it is a typical remote moor landscape. I could spot a few estate tracks but clearly this would be an easy place to get caught out in bad weather.

No such worries for me as I backtracked the same way. 

Almost back at the car I did have a laugh at a sight that I have never seen before. Approaching the tree plantation I spotted a distinct bird shape sitting in branches near the top of the tree. No leaves to hide it so just a dark silhouette. As I slowly approached it had spotted me and flew off as did another three bursting from other branches that I had not noticed. All with the familiar red grouse cry. I had seen a pheasant from time to time fly from a tree but never a red grouse and certainly not four of them. Possibly practising evading the autumn shooters.

Sights and sounds, my senses in action, that's why I love the great outdoors.

It was a fine ending to a very pleasant and interesting short ramble. One of the hares showed itself again but once again too quick for a snap. But those gaiters and boots covered in red mud, time for a clean up!!

Ascent: 211m

Distance: 5.4km

Time: 1.34

Wildlife: Brown Hare: Mountain Hare; Raven; Carrion Crow; Red Grouse; Greylag Geese

A short ramble to another ancient fort and the most easterly Sub2k.....Lamberton Hill

Hill: Lamberton Hill

Type: Sub2k

Height: 217m

It was the time to get my To-Do list moving, to kick out of my winter malaise and get my Mo-Jo going. With the weather still being mixed the better forecast was for the east of the country so I decided to get started with a Borders raid on 2 small Sub2k’s.

The easiest way to get to the start of Lamberton was heading up to Glasgow, across to Edinburgh and down the A1 almost to England. At least it was motorway/dual carriage way for most of the trip and without traffic issues, so far so good.

It wasn’t a concern as such but as I travelled eastwards the clouds were a lot more threatening than the forecast had suggested, with the car being buffeted by the high winds, interesting.

Walkhighlands ‘Lamberton Hill joined the ranks of the Marilyn’s following a resurvey on 7th June 2013. It is set in enclosed pastures not far from the border with England’.

Lamberton Hill is definitely in the top percentile of easiest Sub2k’s and another that raises the eyebrows, why did it get its categorisation? But not for me to debate, I am just bagging the Walkhighlands blue balloons so it has to be done. But read on it is not without interest and the locale is not just a farmers field.

The other reason for getting it done early is because the top lies in the middle of a big field which from previous reports is often full of cattle along with the odd bull! I hoped that lot would still be in their barns. When the coos are involved I always look for the easy option.

No easy obvious parking on the single track road so fully pulled on to the grassy verge just in case a tractor came by as not much room and I can do without a scratched car.

That wind I mentioned earlier was indeed much stronger and much colder than I expected so even though it was a short walk I was dressed accordingly.

No sign of any cattle so I jumped the fence and headed up the grassy slopes, staying close to the fence just in case they appeared. But this fence was electrified so I had my gloves on not just for the cold.

Alert signalled, I spotted some movement but it was just 3 tups. By god they are of the ugly variety but as they had done their job months earlier, testosterone would be low and they only saw me as a food provider, not danger.

Monitoring post & trig

The field I was in does lead to the unmarked high point of Lamberton Hill. But to confuse things there is another field on my right which has a trig point but according to the map is 2 metres lower. This might be Ayton Hill.

As I had no time barriers I took the opportunity to visit the trig just in case.

Before the trig was an interesting construction which is the remains of a Royal Observer Corps monitoring post. A Cold War relic for monitoring planes and radiation and there will be an underground complex below it, now sealed off.

I wandered back to the other field to find the true high point, it was fairly obvious to the eye but did use GPS to confirm. 

Not even a stone to mark it. Plenty of dried cattle dung so if you come to bag at the wrong time they will be here as well.

There was a further reason to be interested as next to this field is the remains of an iron age hill fort (Habchester). Estimated to be between 2000 and 2500 years old. I do like standing at historical sites letting the mind and imagination wander, what was it like?

The kind farmer has recently planted a line of trees between it and the field. Most of the plastic tubes had something protruding from the top so hopefully successful. But he has put a double electrified wire fence on either side of the plantings and the only wooden styles have barbed wire on the tops, nice one.

I wandered down the field and did find a gate that let me into the forts. There are two clear structures with a walkway/ditch in between them. The remainder of the fort on the lower slopes presumably flattened by years of farming. The views east and north are superb for the fort but I suspect there must be another one close to give warnings of attacks from the SW. Still as said always good to stand at points of history and let your thoughts roam.

Back down to the car with views over to the see with the fields being used as a pig farm. Takes me back a few months to Moray.

Glad to get out of the wind and sheltered back in the car. As rambles go short and sweet but the monitoring post and hill fort certainly added to the history, education and enjoyment as well as bagging possibly the most eastern hill on the Scottish mainland, if not 1st at least 2nd.

Not too shabby at all for a nondescript hill that most people would turn their noses up at. I enjoyed my ramble with history.

Ascent: 103m

Distance: 2.1k

Time: 0.41min

Wildlife: Kestrel; Meadow Pipit;