A good choice of route.....Deuchar Law

Hill: Deuchar Law (possibly the drinking hill)

Type: Sub2k

Height: 543m

I was getting towards the end of my Borders journey which meant that the remaining hills to be tackled were the hills with the worst reputation for pathless moorland terrain.

Deuchar Law definitely came into that category as the few reports I found did not have a feel good factor about them. The final section of an almost 2 kilometre trek across typical upland Borders moorland, consisting of ankle twisting tussocks, heather patches and bog was not the most appealing. But I have ran out of options so needs must and Deuchar Law must be tackled.

The good news was that from my research I had come across one potential positive option. I was encouraged but time would tell how accurate it was.

I had decided that my ramble was going to be utilising the Southern Upland Way from Kirkhouse and then take the final section as it came. This route is also part of the Scottish Hill tracks route 22 from Traquair to Tibbie Shiels Inn. Although instead of the SUW I prefer its old name of the Gypsy Glen Drove Road, more evocative.

A grey cold day when I parked up at the start but the clouds were high and the forecasted rain was not due until I should be finished.

Various reports mentioned no parking around, therefore leading to some doing even more off route walking. But I parked at Traquair Kirk, right at the start. There were gates but it is also the parking for the cemetery so unlikely to be locked in. As it was I was the only car there.

The 1st of many stiles

Turned right off the main road then headed up the farm track to the first of about 10 stiles. There are a lot of sheep hereabouts.

A short steep climb was encountered before it eased to become a lovely gently rising gradient. Lots of stiles as I rambled alongside the edges of the fields but the rolling border hills were soon in view so lots of scenery to enjoy.

There were dried cow pats so I was always on alert as the SUW took me across fields rather than to the sides. But thankfully I never did come across them.

It was a beautiful spring day with the moor birds going for it big style. Skylarks were constantly rising and singing, so good to hear and a great backdrop. The underrated Meadow Pipits occasionally sang but it was their paired flying that made me gasp. So close together as they twist and turn at high speed like a couple of fighter planes in a dog fight. But these were about love and reproduction not violence, still the strongest most agile wins out. A sight that never disappoints.

After the grassy fields I reached the lower patches of heather where the Red Grouse were around even at these sparse heather patches.

Deuchar Law far right

I had gained enough height that I now had a sighting of my objective of Deuchar Law, it still looked a bit away.

As is the norm it was to disappear for a while as I continued my enjoyable ramble. Reached the high point of Blake Muir where it was time to concentrate.

The SUW descended and I could see it going back up to the high point alongside trees where my original pan was to leave the SUW and go cross country from there.

But my research indicated there was an ATV track going up the hill but even with much improved long vision I could see no sign of it.

When I reached the bottom style I was to take a right turn and head for an old gate which I could see, so far so good.

Getting over to the gate gave an indicator of the rough terrain ahead if I did not find the track.

Climbed over the old gate and there was the ATV track right in gront of me. Looking up the hill I could still see no sign of it progressing upwards but I was here so I followed it.

Upwards it rose through the moor, sometimes wet and marshy but so much better than the terrain either side of me. It did meander a bit but always turned again to head in the right direction.

It took me close to a wooden structure that I had spotted from the SUW. I have not seen anything like and had a closer route on the descent.

When almost at the top there was an offshoot track that appeared to be going to the summit. Indeed it did reach a flattish moorland area. A single stone but ahead looked slightly higher. Off I went into rough stuff glad I had not been walking through this from the SUW.

Then there it was, slightly hidden were a small pile of stones which marked the summit. 

`View towards Dun Rig and the Peebles horseshoe

White Coomb and other Moffat Hills

As a stand alone hill the views were fine but distant. Nothing really stood out but it was nice nevertheless.

The hump high point of Blake Muir

As it had been straightforward I obviously followed my route back to the SUW with a slight detour to that structure. It was a weird thing with the 3 wooden poles which had another plank attached. Iron rods stuck out of each of them and a small wired fence surrounded the enclosure. Absolutely stumped, my best guess is a net trap for ringing birds but probably far out.

I heard a skein of geese calling loudly on either side of me. I took a photo but as I raised my arms the nearside group suddenly turned away. I wonder if they had thought my raised arms was a hunter? Anyway once passed me they regrouped with the other group, probably about a hundred birds.

I had a great views on the descent down of the Border hills surrounding Innerleithen. The only other person I saw was a farmer on his quad bike who gave me a wave.

My attention was taken far in the distance over the Minch Moor trail where a group of corvids were mobbing a much larger bird, possibly one of the released Golden Eagles, they certainly gave it a hard time.

Then a flash of a light coloured raptor low flying over the moor and the forest, a male hen harrier, a good few years since I have seen one of those.

Back to the kirk and gates still open.

Overall a lovely ramble amidst beautiful Border landscape. Good going underfoot and the bonus of getting that ATV track all the way to the top. For all my concerns it was straightforward after all.

Ascent: 443m

Distance: 11.6km

Time: 3.09

Wildlife: Pink Footed Geese; Hen Harrier (m); Meadow Pipit; Carrion Crow; Jackdaw; Rook; Wood Pigeon; Skylark; Red Grouse; (possible Golden Eagle).

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