Hill:
Hods Hill
Category:
Sub2k
Height:
485m
It’s
been just a few but long months off the hills during lockdown and it sure is great
to be back. The hills are once again alive to the sound of Des
huffing, puffing and snorting his way up the slopes. Still it was
worth it.
Even
with the restrictions being eased I was going to walk solo and did
some research to really focus in on this one.
It
had to be a new hill so go for a sub2k.
It
had to be remote so I could avoid people.
It
had to be relatively straight forward to avoid any accidents.
 |
| Daer Reservoir supplies water to central Scotland |
Thus on a beautiful morning I drove down to Daer reservoir and enjoyed the journey
via Wanlockhead where the hills were spectacular, what a sight. Also for
this early time quite a few people parked up beside the burn, picnic
tables and chairs out, maybe they were all looking for gold.
 |
| Nice open area to start the walk |
I
parked on
a grassy verge at a crossroads also for the Southern Upland Way.
Was
wondering if any locals would say anything but as I got changed two
farmers came past on quad bikes both waving and smiling a good start.
 |
| The grassy trail looks more obvious looking back |
I
had copied a GPS route but god knows where they thought they were
going as I went over a new footpath under construction, a deforested
area (so much for avoiding accidents). Round a tree line, over fences
before reaching a grassy route, all this in the first ten minutes.
From
here cannot go wrong just wander up the grassy slopes, small hard
tussocks which rolled the ankles to reach a fence line. At a stone
dyke junction with the fence it meets the SUW path, guess which way I
will be descending.
 |
| Cotton grass meadows the top is near the treeline top right |
The cotton grass meadows and slopes were full of meadow pipits and skylarks with the odd curlew and
lapwing also nesting. At one point a pair of skylarks hopped the
fence calling and I suspected a youngster about. As I neared some
reeds it rushed out from them across my path straight into the reeds
on the other side, at some pace I might add.
 |
| If you are on the right side of the fence helpful styles |
Now
just follow the fence line and the SUW markers, a few false summits
before the top of Hods Hill is reached. Excellent views if you ignore
the turbines.
 |
| True top over fence about 100m |
I
had read that the actual summit was a diversion of about 100 metres
further back to an unnamed top, it did not look it but according to
my GPS it was 8 metres higher so glad I went over to it.
 |
| Hods Hill from the true top |
When
I was on that top a hill runner went by on the original track, the only
other person on the hill today.
 |
| Daer reservoir and Durisdeer hills behind |
As
I descended the views over the reservoir were spectacular, the blue
water a real stand out. The Durisdeer hills are behind and interesting to be seen
from this angle.
 |
| Lowther Hills |
Also the Lowther range were just beautiful. I
suspect Cairnsmore of Carsphairn was the big lump over to my left but
far away. Small heath butterflies everywhere.
 |
| Wheatear more concerned with the raven above than me, there was a nest nearby. |
Nearly
back at the car when I spotted a familiar shape on a wire, was that a
cuckoo? But even from this distance I could see it had food in its
mouth, they don't feed young? However I have seen cuckoos trying to
attract a mate with food and as it flew into the trees another bird
appeared which it tried to give food to before they both disappeared
under cover. Not 100% sure if it was a cuckoo and delighted if it was as I did not
think I would see one this year. I will keep looking for a clearer sighting.
Overall
I fully enjoyed this short walk and time to start building it up for
the bigger ones.
Wildlife:
Meadow Pipit; Skylark; Curlew; Raven; Peewit; Small Heath; Small
White; Wheatear; Cuckoo?
Time:
2.21
Ascent:
326m
Distance:
8.1km
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