Another district high point....East Cairn Hill

Hill: East Cairn Hill

Type: Sub2k

Height: 567m

On this short trip to the east, I had some free time and opted to tick off the Sub2k of East Cairn Hill, principally as it has been on my to-do list for years and it was time to remove it. East Cairn has the status of highest point in the City of Edinburgh district. Its twin peak, West Cairn, is the highest in West Lothian.

Plenty of route options so I hummed and hawed and eventually decided on the start point from Carlops.

It was drizzling when I changed at the Carlops quarry starting point not the best sign. I intended starting at the eastern end of the village as there is a loop option to the North Esk Reservoir which I hoped would give me a bit of a circular and some different scenery on the return. However as soon as I started I could see the nearby Patie’s hill was full of running cows careering across the slopes. I had to pass by, or even over it and did not know if it was fenced off.

Some cows still on Paties Hill. Some now in near field the remainder hidden but soon about to join me

Being a big feartie I back tracked and went up the other route where before long I came to a field with a big herd of agitated cattle. I could see some cows still on Patie’s hill and others crossing the ground at the base. They were being rounded by a quad bike but they had stampeded across the area I would have walked along. Did the farmer have an accomplice warning people? Even here the cows were skittish particularly the calves. This caused some mothers to come close to the small fence beside me, bellowing and wide eyed. Thank god I got passed them.

North Esk reservoir coming into view

At the reservoir for some reason the track is signposted through another livestock field. Cautiously I walked onwards, eyes constantly scanning. It was a big field with no escape route and I was walking through the centre of it. Although signs of droppings no animals.

Might not look much but it was awkward

Looking for coos I missed the turn at the trees and continued to the end of them, going round the other side. This was very rough ground recently tree planted and fenced. I got down through the bracken, thought I had seen a gate but nope my dodgy eyesight. So a big fence needed to be scaled, not easy with a big jump on the other side.

What a start. I was now on the Bore Stane track which was narrow and boggy as it slowly climbed through the moor. The only sound abundant red grouse calling away.

East Cairn Ridge

From this section the clouds were still high I could see East Cairn summit and the ridge to the cairn up on my left but that was the last view as the weather soon closed in. Reached the col but I could not find the Bore Stane.

Mistake I climbed over here to go on left side of wall. Track was on the right behind the trees.

I might have misread or bad memory but I thought that I had read a report where someone had followed the stone dyke to the top. Over I went heading to the left of the wall. I crossed the very rough ground and it was appalling. After about 5 minutes and narrowly missing plunging into two deep hidden pools I was a bit fraught. I did not fancy this terrain all the way up and was contemplating turning back. I headed over to the dyke and stayed close but the going was not much better. I saw a hole in the wall about 50 metres ahead and decided to go to it and if the other side was not any better turn back. Peered through the gap in the wall and surprise, surprise, a gravel track, wow, delighted but how far did it go? I could not see any sign of it on the hillside ahead.

The gravel track petered out within a minute but there was a faint narrow track heading up the hill. Although extremely wet and boggy in places it was a hundred times better than the other stuff. I was now well into the low cloud with light rain so visibility was poor.

Much better than before

On I plod until I reached the true summit at point 567m, but this is not the end of the ramble. 

Heading down from high point to the cairn

The hills main feature is a huge cairn which on a good day can be seen from miles away but is still some way off in the greyness. I wanted to visit it so kept going. Surprised by a shout from a female who was on the other side of the wall. She had started at the more normal point at Baddingsgill Reservoir.

We headed to the cairn chatting away. It is indeed a huge cairn with a hollowed centre big enough for a party.

The clag lifted for about 30 seconds, enough to see West Cairn and down to Harperrig Reservoir.

Heading back to the high point

Not sure what type of grass but its colours brightened up the descent

We parted as she was heading down the slopes to meet up with the Thieves Road whereas I was backtracking my ascent route. It felt very strange each time the clag lifted as I did not recognise anything but at one point I could see the true high point ahead.

The cloud and mist descended covering the high ground but I was descending with my track so no getting lost. I followed this to meet my ascent track about another 50 metres on from where I cut off, sods law.

Heading back to the trees in the distance

I had another look for the Bore Stane but no joy so just had my lunch and enjoyed the peace and tranquility. 

Red Legged Partridge

I had spotted a sparrowhawk near the trees on my way up and on the descent found the remains of a Red Legged Partridge. Feathers strewn everywhere but no carcass, classic Sparrowhawk kill site.

After that a straightforward return, no fence climbing until I reached the field of coos. There was no sign of them but very fresh droppings on the farm track. Not enough for a big herd but maybe an escapee or two! 

Now thats a handsome bull

The only occupant was a beautiful bull who was interested enough at my appearance to start walking towards me. Was I being blamed for his missing ladies? Thankfully he soon found the grazing more interesting. I then came across an open gate on the field opposite where another large bull was sitting. Was he the owner of the dung? But again, thankfully not interested so I walked back to Carlops safely.

An interesting and remote walk just a pity I did not get the good views.

Ascent: 447m

Distance: 16.1km

Time: 4.26

Wildlife: Red Grouse; Buzzard; Carrion Crow; Meadow Pipit; Sparrowhawk.