Freedom at last.....Curlywee a fitting walk om a grand day

Hill: Curlywee (Hill of the Eagle)

Type: Donald

Height: 674m

Scotland's day of freedom when our second lockdown was eased to allow travel out with our local authority areas. An hours drive into the heart of Dumfries & Galloway seemed appropriate to bag a new Donald hill. An added bonus, Curlywee is rated as one of the finest hills in the Southern Uplands.

The Merrick start but we went right

A beautiful blue sky morning deserved an early start and apart from one idiot who decided to corner on my side of the road, I thought I was in serious trouble, the drive was a joy. 

Willow Warbler

Even better when I arrived at my parking area to see a red squirrel run across the road and up a tree, my first of the year so a good start, too quick to snap but this wee beauty was close by, my first willow warbler & chiffchaff of the year.

Loch Trool, we are heading for the lump in the middle

There are various ways to do this hill but I was not combining it with anything else. So a 90 minute trek along the hardpacked section of the Southern Upland Way took us to the White Laggan bothy. 

Sustrans sign at beautiful Loch Dee

Not all hardship as the views across Loch Doon are spectacular, it is a beautiful loch. I reminisced about a fishing trip. This loch is reputed to hold huge brown trout. We saw or touched nothing all day. When we were packing up the car we heard a loud splash. Looking back no fish but big ripples, a huge brownie giving us the finger lol.

White Laggan bothy ahead with Curlywee distinctive cone peaking top right

Like all mountain bothies these are currently closed as Covid idiots have trashed a few so everyone suffers. Not sure what these 3 wooden structures nearby represent, if anything.

My original plan was to walk from the bothy along a old marked trail contouring Curlywee until I was at a direct line between Bennan Hill and then taking me up to the Nick of Curlywee. But as we nourished, looked at the hill and examined the map, the direct attack up the slope beside the fissure looked a straightforward option, so plan changed.

Steep climb from the bothy

Now 150m of direct ascent took us to the ridge where the contours eased. In a few months this would be more difficult as all the dead fern foliage would have regenerated and hidden the many holes.

White Hill the point just behind

Once on the ridge we had a view of Curlywee's top and breath in, it does not look too far away. Another 200m of ascent but across a gentler gradient. 

The terrain of the middle section is truest D & G tussocks, really rough. Ankle breaker hidden holes as you dodge the tussocks.

The final section is much better, harder ground, shorter grass and with relief the top is reached. And the views do not disappoint. This is a wild and very rugged landscape with its features hidden among the parched camouflaged landscape. But blue water lochs break the parched brown land. 

Rugged terrain or what. Craiglee front, Craignaw right and Mullwharchar middle rear

Hills are evident as looking north the Merrick, Craignaw & Mullwharchar stand out. Corserine and Cairnsmore of Dee. Lamachan and Larg nearby. Along with views to the Solway and back to the parking area, not a bad spot at all to enjoy freedom.

The return was by the same route. The descent via White Hill was considered but it is much rougher terrain and steeper. Now we have freedom not the time for injuries.

Typical deforestation

Since I was last here to walk Craiglee there has been significant deforestation taking away from the feel of the place.

Still that's another Donald ticked and a fulfilling walk for our day of freedom.

Ascent: 921m

Distance: 17.9km

Time: 5.49

Wildlife: Red Squirrel (1st of year); Peregrine; Raven; Chaffinch; Chiffchaff ( 1st of the year); Meadow Pipit; Pied Wagtail; Chaffinch;