A recce that became the real ramble.....Deer Law Circuit

Hill: Deer Law & Conscleugh Head

Type: New Donald & Donald Top

Height: 629m & 624m

I had missed out on these two when I did Blackhouse Heights. However, I did not fancy another trip to Black Law first. When I was returning from Blackhouse I could see a new estate track running along the bottom of these hills but where did it come from? I drove down to the Megget Reservoir and beside a cottage there appeared to be the start of a track over the other side of a field. Time to explore.

The weather was grey and damp and there was fresh snow on the hills so I decided to do a recce to see where this track went to.

A very cold wind was blowing down from the Megget water so it was a quick change well clad.

It's a track is it the one I wanted?

I was going to knock at the cottage to check the route was okay but it appeared that nobody was at home. The gate to the field was a simple hook so no climbing required before I crossed the mole hill studded grass to the track.

The track seemed more substantially built than that required for sheep. Not wide enough for a windfarm, maybe some tree planting going to take place.

Deer Law now in sight

The track winds around Broomy Law following the Glengaber Burn and after about 15 minutes Deer Law is directly in view. Rough hill ground and plenty of sheep.

Start of ATV track

Straight on I could see the track ahead going between Deer Law and Black Rig. But on the right my eye was caught by the quad bike trail going up the easier gradients of Deer Law before continuing into the snowline then into the clouds. That looked a lot better than the unknown terrain, so recce abandoned, Decision made to do at least Deer Law so off I went and followed the hill track upwards.

Looking across to Greenside Law another Donald

Nice and steady, gently plodding on, I was surprised how well I was going. Good gradients maybe but it was still a steep climb. The quad bike track was obviously well used and had compacted the ground. Certainly easier than heather and tussocks. A bit tougher underfoot when I hit the snow line which deepened as I got higher. I was also into the clouds along brought poor visibility. The wind was gusting, short sharp snow showers. Really glad I had full winter gear on along with Ski Goggles, vital.

Lower stone pillar

Summit stone

Out of the gloom a tall pointed stone appeared which I knew this was what I was looking for. Problem was that although the ground had flattened out there was still a higher point behind it. So on I went until another pointed stone appeared, this time surely.

Conscleugh Head this way, track soon to disappear

I was relieved to discover this was also a quad track junction which would helped make my decision to bag the other hill. As I headed off towards Conscleugh I reflected. I am not sure that I would have continued across peat hagged boggy moorland in these conditions on my own, but with the track off I went.

This was all moorland up here and of course the track disappeared into the heather, what! The ground had started to rise so I continued and was happy to see through the gloom a fence on my right. That would do nicely.

The solitary Iron rod

I kept as close to the fence as I could until the ground flattened. I had no idea how the top was marked if at all. According to my GPS and OS Maps this was the high point at 624m. A bit further on I spotted a thin solitary iron rod on the other side of the fence. I was comfortable that I was on the high point flat area Of Conscleugh Law so that would do it for me.

Back that way

I had no intention of going across the moor in these conditions to make a circular route so it was a case of following my footsteps back to Deer Law and then back down the quad bike track.

Glimpse of reservoir plus the burn and the track back

About half way down I came out of the clouds and was able to enjoy the views. At the high point I could just see some of the Megget Reservoir. I also took some time to grab some food and drink, well deserved.

The number of these beautiful sheep pens indicate how many sheep there were on these hills

There were grouse, deer and hare tracks in the snow but apart from the sheep not a bird or animal was seen.

Cottage and my car

Still an unexpected bag of a pair of hills on what was just to be a recce. Still don't know where that track went to and somehow I doubt if I ever will, although could be an opportunity for the good lady to stretch her legs without doing the hills..

A wild day for a ramble but a good one nevertheless.

Ascent: 536m

Distance: 8.1km

Time: 2.37

Wildlife: None