A ramble up Meikle Bin

Hill/Walk: Meikle Bin
Category: Sub2k
Height: 570m
Another short winter walk with Kilmarnock Ramblers to get to the top of Meikle Bin, the Kilsyth Hills highest hill.
We started from Todholes Farm under grey skies. I had forgot my waterproof jacket so fingers crossed for no rain. 
The walk is firstly on good forestry track hemmed in by the pines. Not a lot to see just the conversation to entertain us.

Reservoir burn

There are occasional views of Carron Valley reservoir through the trees but better views when we gain height. This burn will be a perfect trout spawning area further up in the shallows. I have fished this water and from the boat watched walkers summit Meikle Bin, today it was to be my turn.
The valley was dammed in the 1930s to create this very large reservoir which is around 4 miles long and three-quarters of a mile wide at its widest point and it feels every bit of it out on the water with the waves slapping the boat. The reservoir is linked to the River Carron and provides water for the Falkirk area. There are dams at both ends which the trout like to gather at.

1st view

When we cleared the trees the top was shrouded in cloud which came and went but never fully cleared. Lots of locals out walking the hill today.

The cloud lifts briefly so the trig in sight

A short steady walk up the grassy slopes, wet, slippery but straightforward and before long we arrive at the trig.

Trig

The cloud occasionally clears to let us see the waters of the reservoir below but just as quickly hides them again.

Clouds coming and going

Too cold for us to hang about for lunch up here so we descend to look at the plane wreckage.

Wing section

‘A Royal Navy two-seater Fairey Firefly crashed near the summit in January 1950. The bodies of the two occupants were found nearby. Just west of the trig point can be found part of the wing section‘ which we had a look at.

Local hills

It is said that there are superb long distance views which to the west includes the tops of Arran and to the east the Bass rock but not for us today. We had to settle for local stuff including Earls Seat.
Back down the same route. A good short winters walk up a nice hill in excellent company and no rain.

Wildlife: nil
Time: 3.53
Ascent: 1329ft
Distance: 6.47m