One for the Sub2k baggers.....Knock of Braemoray

Hill: Knock of Braemoray

Type: Sub2k

Height: 456m

With a potentially poor weather forecast I was looking for a quick up and down and this was the closest one to my base. Not surprisingly for a wee hill like this there was only a few reports on Walkhighlands, starting from various points, so I chose a route that described a clear track through the lower heather slopes.

Lovely scenery and good weather as I drove to the start. The road goes round the hill but I had already noticed a few clear path options but not near my start.

I parked up at my start at a lay by alongside a mast, easy to find. So far so good but that was about to change.

In front of me was a thin wall of native trees with no obvious track through to the heather slopes. Walked up and down but where to start? With Sub2k’s getting access to the hill is frequently the hardest bit.

I had a good phone signal so checked the Walkhighlands app and this was indeed the spot for the route I was to follow.

So I picked a spot and had a short battle with a steep slope and low hanging branches before I got to the fence. Wow knackered and big doubts about this already after just 5 minutes.

No sign of a track

Still no sign of a track

Over the fence and immediately into deep heather and tussocks with no sign of a track. I took short sections of 10 or so careful steps, head rotating madly, looking for this track, but no joy. There have been quite a few times that I questioned the validity of some of the so called ‘our routes’ on Walkhighlands, particularly for Sub2k’s. I presume they are guesswork after the event rather than accurate GPS, possibly memory fade?

Not what I was looking for but it will do

After about 15mins of zig-zagging frustrating heather bashing I spotted a grassy ATV track so headed for it.

It was a bit wet and overgrown, not been used for a long time but much better than the heather.

Turbine track preparation?

Further up the track became wider semi flattened tracks, quite obvious to me that this was early preparation for a yet another wind turbine site.

At least the views were opening up

But being a hypocrite I used these tracks, easier than the heather/tussocks off piste.

Before long the trig was spotted but no track to it, rubbish terrain what a finish to the ascent.

The good lady had asked me this morning what I thought the views would be like. My response was that despite its lowly height, it was a stand alone hill, so weather permitting could be good.

As it turned out the views were a lot better than good. The cold northerly wind had cleared any haze so although they were not high look down views, the long distance 360 degree vista was superb.

Ben Rinnes

As I approached the trig the obvious pointed peak behind it was the Corbett Ben Rinnes.

Cairngorms 

The views across the Cairngorms went as far as to take in the torr's of Ben Avon near Braemar. Also the Aviemore northern Munro slopes had a significant white coating of snow that was going to freeze tonight, what a sad year, unreal.

North and the Ben Wyvis plateau

North the views were great over the Moray Firth and Ben Wyvis but extended as far as the Torridon hills many miles away.

Descent was simply a retrace with great care being taken over the heather and tussocks. Even with the higher viewing perspective no track was obvious. Stumbled a couple of times and at the finish I realised my water bottle had fallen out of the rucksack and there it will remain.

Overall objective achieved with a short ramble and the bad weather did not arrive. Worth a short ramble for the excellent views but pick an alternative ascent route.

Ascent: 185m

Distance: 3.2km

Time: 1.24

Wildlife: Meadow Pipit; Red Grouse

Warmth at last for a short ramble.....Meigle Hill

Hill: Meigle Hill

Type: Sub2k

Height: 423m

I was on a wee break with the good lady and was not expecting to get a hill out of the trip, but she indicated a ramble might be good with all the fine dining calories we had taken on. Checking my to-do list I found a short Marilyn with a track all the way and only a short drive.

Yarrow valley fog

Looking out of the window it was a pea souper but I was confident that it would quickly burn off.

A lovely winding single track drive through the rolling Border hills to the start at Clovenfords.

It was a beautiful morning when we started, real heat, wow summer is all but over so this warmth was very welcome.

No obvious spots so parked up in a housing estate and walked the short distance to the start proper, which very unusually begins by walking through a working farm. No signs for walkers so hope it is the right place.

Through the buildings where a dirt track led up to another part of the farm, empty cow sheds, so the beasts might be encountered on the hill, don’t tell the good lady.

A wooden sign post indicated that there are a few walks around this area. For our ramble we initially followed the signs for the Meigle circuit.

The track was now a grassy and all around sheep were making plenty of noise as we passed them, presumably thought we had brought food. Ominously there were fairly fresh coo droppings and she had spotted them!

So the tactic was that I was on point walking about 20m ahead of her just in case I stumbled on the beasties.

Clovenfords on the right

Getting steeper I am ignoring the moans lol

Thankfully the gradient and ascent was as straightforward as I hoped, although there was still a few moans behind me which I chose to ignore.

Because it was a low gradient there was always the chance of meeting the beasts so I was on alert but so far so good. These rolling Border hills are a delight and the views were superb.

Cow tracks on the grass

Another signpost junction was reached, none of the routes that we were taking, our summit was the communication masts which were clearly visible. The walking tracks went cross country but we continued on the grassy track. Deep hoof prints and coo dung on the track but still no encounters with them.

Arrived at the first mast where the map marks something called Wallace's putting stone. I presume this round boulder is it with its cup and stone markings.

However the true summit is just after the 2^nd mast, a trig is on this side of the wall but a huge cairn on the other side of the stone dyke is the true top although there does not appear to be any difference.

Proof she made it

Still it was a beautiful day, the good lady was enjoying the views which included looking over our old stomping ground of Galashiels and beyond the Eildon's at Melrose. 

Wall butterfly. Been in the wars chunks out of its tail and wing

A few butterflies were flying around but one in particular caught my attention. This was a Wall butterfly which was my 1^st sighting this year and only my 3^rd ever so a lovely surprise.

After taking in the views we enjoyed a slow descent taking in more views and enjoying the warmth.

A good ramble and no coos spotted so good news all round. Time to go for a wee drive and find a nice cafe.

Ascent: 262m

Distance: 5.56m

Time: 1.55

Wildlife: Buzzard; Meadow Pipit; Wood Pigeon; Wren; Pheasant; Kestrel; Small White butterfly; Peacock butterfly; Wall butterfly;

A cold and muddy ramble.....Gael Charn (Monadhliath)

Hill: Geal Charn (Monadhliath) (White Hill)

Type: Munro

Height: 925

The big question is 'how do you tell when it is summer in Scotland'? Going by this year that is a very hard one to answer.

I had missed out on bagging this hill a few times but today was the opportunity to rectify that. The drive from Laggan to Garva Bridge has to be one of my favourites.

The water levels on the Spey, as viewed from General Wades bridge, looked on the low side considering the amount of rain that we have had. I know that the nearby Spey dam regulates water flow so looking at these levels I assume it is in this direction.

Arriving at the parking area it is empty. On previous occasions it has been full of campervans as well as walkers cars. This is ‘summer’, the schools are on holiday, it is one of the easier Munros, the forecast is okay, very surprised.

Everyone who has read a report on this hill will know it is a mudfest and after the recent rains it did not disappoint.

Path would get a lot muddier

This will be a fairly short report as not a lot happened on this ramble. It is a very straightforward walk along a distinct trail, it is a Munro after all. Very boggy as I followed it alongside the burn before making a detour. At one point I lost the track but knew it was not far away. Found it just before I had to cross it. The only distraction was a small group of four stags, not at all bothered with me.

Luckily, despite the recent rain, it was a straightforward burn crossing unlike recent stressful ones.

I had been feeling a bit chesty on the early stages but thankfully I was breathing okay as I started the final climb to the plateau. The wind was much stronger and colder, so much so that I had to put on a winter hat, unreal.

Although not a difficult section this seemed a long slow slog interrupted by a Ptarmigan who like the stags seemed not at all bothered by me. But they never do I love them.

Once I reached the plateau the weather was full on. The wind had increased but the telling factor was the temperature, I reckon the feel like wind effect was sub zero, at least my hands were telling me that was so.

The huge cairn appeared on the horizon, not the nicest walking across the boulders and I was happy to get there.

Hiding from the winds I took in the views which were monochrome but with the cold air the distance that could be seen was extensive and far further than should be the case for this time of year.

Ben Nevis in distance

Ben Alder range

The nearest hills were obviously Alder hills, Creag Meadaidh and onwards to Ben Nevis. But looking south I was sure I was looking at the Killin hills and SW the Glencoe mountains. Along with the Cairngorms to the north quite a viewpoint. But is was so cold I was not hanging about.

Creag Meadaidh & Laggan hills beyond

Track back to the parking area

On the descent I met a family who were the only other walkers on the hill today, as said earlier very strange for this time of the year.

About half an hour out the wind died and the temperatures soared. Of course I cursed that I was over dressed, zips opened, but it literally only lasted 15 minutes before it was windy and cold again, unreal.

Overall it was a good ramble. Despite my chestiness I was surprised to see that I had made such good time. Maybe one day it will be summer gear to enjoy.

Ascent: 651m

Distance: 13.4km

Time: 4.22

Wildlife: Ptarmigan; Meadow Pipit; Red Deer; Mountain Hare;

A Moffat hills circuit.....Great Hill & Carlavin Hill

Hill: Great Hill (770m) & Carlavin Hill (736m) Molls Cleugh Dod (785m)

Type: Donald Tops x2 + Donald

After yesterdays deluge I was not sure what I would be able to do today as my 'A' plan involved a burn crossing which might be too high and fast running for safety. But somewhere in the Moffat Hills it would be.

Blue sky start as I parked up at the Grey Mares Tail car park, £4 a car, National Trust property. I wouldn't mind if it had toilet facilities but this does not. I gave them the money any way but I am sure most don’t and you can park across the road if you wanted to.

Still the view from the parking area was vivid with the greens of the bracken and the purple of the heather outstanding. Also showing well was the clear line where the track makes a steep ascent, my future in a couple of minutes.

After all the rain the Grey Mares Tail waterfall was magnificent in power and colour fully living up to its name.

I was surprised that the climb treated me so gently as I did not have a lot of walking in my legs, pleased nevertheless. The waterfall was roaring but so was the wind, it was strong and cool once I topped out onto the open area.

Plan A had been to cross at the 1^st ford and head up White Coomb but as expected the burn was running fast and deep. In my mind I was aware that last year a walker got swept away trying to cross this burn. He managed to anchor himself around a rock before being swept over the waterfall and almost guaranteed death. Mountain rescue got him out but he was a lucky man.

I walked up the track to the mouth of Loch Skeen where although deeper than I would have liked, it was still water so I waded across to the other bank. Mid calf deep at times but no fast running water, still water logged boots to empty.

Mid Craig

Lochcraig Head & Loch Skeen

A not very pleasant muddy boggy section followed before I started climbing up Mid Craig. Good views up top before a short descent and then up to Firthybrig Head. Here I had another disappointment. As it was a strong cold wind I stopped to put a light weight jacket on. But I realised the top thing in my rucksack should have been my food bag. No sign of it as it dawned on me that I had obviously left it in my car boot. At least I had water and I could do with shedding a pound or to.

Great Hill on the right

Broken fence & faint trail to Great Hill

View to Hart Fell

Upon reaching the fence line I turned left and followed an ATV track across mostly good ground. Reached a broken fence line which I knew took me to the Donald top of Great Hill, a straightforward 30 minutes out and back and not a lot great about it from this angle.

Molls Cleugh Dod & Carlavin Hill

Back at the dyke it was decision time. Having no food it was fairly straightforward, changed my plan for a shorter route. I decided to go Plan C and head back to tick off Carlavin Hill. As I was high up anyway the walk was straightforward despite the strengthening buffeting wind.

Molls Cleugh Dod

Carlavin Hill

View from summit to Megget Reservoir

View to the Culter hills

Wandered back to Firthybrig Head then the short walk to Molls Cleugh Dod. Another Donald that I had already completed but stupidly had not added on the top.

A 40 minute round trip but I was now starting to feel a bit tired. The combination of lack of hillwalking fitness and no nutrition was taking its toll so straight back was the plan.

Heading back to Moll with White Coomb behind

Wet feet ahead

The descent was a straightforward enough retracing of my steps. The views from the top of Mid Craig were superb over Loch Skeen and beyond. Wet feet once again and then the trek back to the car. More tourists around at this time in the day. Out of the winds it was also a more pleasurable walk back. Looking at the burn there was no obvious drop in the water levels.

Not exactly what I wanted out of today but it is an excuse to come back and finish the job, after a dry spell of course.

Ascent: 785m

Distance: 18.7km

Time: 5.19

Wildlife: Meadow Pipit; Wheatear