Knockdolian

Knockdolian and grassy field to cross

Another week and another hill to keep the hill legs turning over. Mrs B was to join me today so it had to be a reasonably low (not a lot of effort) hill. I have been using the book ‘The Hughs’ by Andrew Dempster, a present, thanks Glenn, as a guide for her walks, all these hills are sub 2000 hills but all tend to stand alone and have great views. I like his description 'hills with attitude not altitude', I agree but the lungs still do get a workout.
Today’s choice was Knockdolian near Ballantrae. I walked the Ayrshire coastal path last year and the day that I went through Ballantrae I spotted this hill slightly inland, which I thought would have great views and I must walk this soon. Some walkers will combine this with other local ones although you will need to drive between them.

This is a superb little hill, takes very little time and does not disappoint once up top. The STV forecast last night indicated that it was to be good/dry during the day but I had significant doubts re its accuracy as we drove through showers and very low lying cloud was ahead.
We had a round trip of about 100 miles so it was a nice drive anyway. I always love the view just short of Turnberry when going south you drive over the hump you see the wide seascape with Ailsa Craig standing out. It was particularly prominent today and it was in blue sky, weather move this way please. Knockdolian is a similar lava plug to the Ailsa, it is said they are from the same formation..
After one wrong turn we finally drove through Ballantrae, turned left just before the Stinchar bridge and about a mile and a half later we got sight of the hill and parked up at the cottage on the B7044. Weather gear on but it was dry for now. 

Typical terrain looking up

Just up ahead there is a very muddy and slippy entrance to a field, the hill sign only prominent if driving towards Ballantrae. A stiff pull over a grassy field, looking out for livestock but none around today. I read a previous report of bullocks but hopefully still indoors.

Looking inland towards Colmonell

Head for an obvious gate then it is a straightforward walk up the grassy slopes. There is a faint path but really you cannot get lost. We went a less direct route to help Mrs B and as such never saw the trig until almost there. A more direct line and you will sight it earlier.

It was a bit boggy at times but fine. The wind was blowing a real hoolie now pulling away at my rucksack. Plenty of vole circles in the grass and we even saw a couple moving, looked well wintered.

Volcanic plug partner Ailsa in shot.

Reached the trig and for Mrs B it was only 35 minutes so most can knock a bit off that but in no hurry, the views are great to the rear and out to sea. The 360 degree views make this worthwhile. Even in these conditions we can see Ireland, just ignore the wind turbines close by. Superb views down the Stinchar valley.
Showers started so downwards we went. A Merlin flew past low and fast but did not see it flush anything. We had our lunch behind a rock and took in the views.
A short but impressive little walk. Only an hour and a half, GPS recorded 211 metres of ascent. Glad we did it. Some much bigger stuff coming up in the months ahead.