A delightful Moorfoot Hills tramp

Hills: Blackhope Scar (651m), Bowbeat Hill (626m, Dundreich Hill (623m)
Type: Graham/Donald

View from near carpark, flanks of Dundreich on the right

In the east for a few days so I decided to head for pastures new and opted for the Moorfoot hills. I had thought about this round of hills last year but poor weather intervened, today the forecast was dry until mid afternoon.
Good to have a short drive for a change and I was ready to go from Gladhouse reservoir for 9.30, no other cars around. A clockwise circuit starting with Blackhope Scar.

The long mile, Bowbeat turbines ahead

The farm doesn't let you too close so a pleasant mile walk before I started my ascent just after the cottage. A horrible scarred track on the left, doubt permission was asked for that one. 

Route up Blackhope, ruined castle in middle

The grassy track up the flanks of Hirendean hill leads you past the ruined Hirendean castle. ( ‘Stravaiging around Scotland‘: Hirendean Castle is a ruined 16th century peel tower probably built by the Kerr family. Situated on the flattened top of a raised mound beside the Hirenden Burn, it is further protected by the River South Esk running to the west of it, and occupies a good defensive position when approached from the south, although it is overlooked by the Moorfoot Hills to the north).
The estate has signs asking you to keep to the tracks but this one leads you to a barbed wire fence leading to an awkward scramble over without tearing clothing. On the descent, which is the other side, i could see that if I had continued on the lower track for a couple of hundred metres there was a gate and the fence could be followed to rejoin this track. A curlew flies nearby calling trying to lead me away from its nest.

Typical rolling borders hills, turbines on Bowbeat

A short steep climb before it levels out The Kipps. Excellent views of the circuit. At first it seems it is going to descend but circles the hill.
Good views of Blackhope Scar straight ahead but it is a circuitous route to get there. Follow the estate atv tracks to the fence then follow this up to the trig, the highest point. The route is very boggy and wet in places. Skylarks and meadow pipits aplenty.

View from Blackhope, Pentlands on left, Arthurs Seat in middle, Fife beyond

From the trig the views are superb looking over all of Edinburgh, across to Fife and east to the Bass rock.
Cross over the fence junction once again following the faint path on this side of the fence. Much more boggy than before. Both mountain hares and grouse sprung just as I almost stepped on them. 

The track on flanks of Bowbeat

The second hill can't be missed, it is that wind turbine farm ahead.
A short descent then up on the construction track unless you really want to clamber through the heather on at the sides. Feel free but I walked the track to the highest turbine then wandered about the heather, the highest point and Donald number two, Bowbeat Hill. 

Looking back to Bowbeat hill from Dundreich track

Reminds me of Windy Standard without the trig. The sound of turbine blades cutting through the air surprisingly loud at times, might unnerve some.
Back across the moor to head for the furthest away turbine which sits beside the small building. After that back onto proper moor but there is an atv track. The non descript top from this angle can be seen. The track disappears so a rough heather moor plod takes me to the top where there is both a trig and a fair. 

Dundreich cairn and trig

Arguably the best views from the third Donald of the day, Dundreich. you can see why it might have been a hill fort.

Beautiful countryside views on the descent

The descent has the advantage of the full Pentlands ridge in view on your left. Once more follow the track and fence until the the reservoir can be seen, lots of boats on the water and a few vehicles beside my car. Turns out it was an outward bound company. Then head down to the farm cottage to take the mile walk back to the car.
A super day for the wildlife and apart from some workers at the wind farm nobody else met on the walk. Proper peace and quiet.

Wildlife: Pied wagtail, Blackbird, Stonechat, Mistle thrush, Rabbit, Peewit, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Woodpigeon, House Martin, Pheasant.
Mountain hare, Buzzard, Skylark, Meadow pipit, Small white butterfly, Speckled wood butterfly, Small Heath, Raven, Red grouse

Time: 4.10
Ascent: 1887m 635m
Distance: 11.16m 18.2km