In search of another Donald top.....Meikledodd Hill

 Hill: Meikledodd Hill/Blacklorg

Type: Donald Top/Donald

Height: 630m

After postponing my Saturday group walk I still craved some hill walking exercise so I decided to tick off one of my Donald Tops on the Sunday. The weather was much improved from yesterday and as it was a local hill I put it up as a last minute ramble for ADRC and half a dozen joined me.

I wasn’t sure if I had been on this top before but as I could not fully remember it was time to formalise the tick. During preparation I had noticed that the OS maps aerial view showed a track beside the newish electricity pylons that was not shown on the standard map.

So I took my group alongside Afton reservoir hoping to find said track. It was no big deal as we could always take a short backtrack and do a circular via the traditional route over Alwhat.

A wide muddy track

As it turned out we found the track, well not exactly a track. It was a machinery gouged wide area of deforestation and churned up peat, muddy in places but it did exist and it took us uphill.

Meikledodd over the grassy hump

The slow group

Classic Donald summit marker, Blacklorg behind

For no reason other than it looked right I took the group off piste and took a more direct route towards Meikledodd. The map suggested we would find a fence and indeed we did, superb navigation! Followed the fence up to the high point where we spotted a single wooden stake on the moor across the other side of the fence, a true Donald summit marker.

The mast beckons

Back to the fence where we stayed this side and followed a grassy track to the mast at Littledodd Hill, a food and water break stop. As I enjoyed my sannie one of our members began pulling at the cables attaching this large structure to the ground. He was surprised at the flexibility of the cables, I was too for different reasons. Thankfully it did not come crashing down but I assume these things have CCTV cameras attached so look out for the polis to ADRC committee.

Blacklorg top

We wandered up to Blacklorg and down to Cannock Hill. As we descended I spotted a figure coming our way, my vision a bit blurred these days but I had a sense of deja vu. Surely enough it was Lorna who had joined us nearby on a similar walk.

Craigbranreoch Top

View down Glen Afton

So friendship group acknowledgements completed we walked on and most continued up Craigbraneoch Hill for what is arguably the best view from these hills.

Afton reservoir

Ringlet

A steep and rough descent back to the reservoir then back to the cars.

I bagged myself another Donald top, the weather stayed good and everyone got a bit more exercise, a good enough short ramble.

Ascent: 546m

Distance: 13.2km

Time: 3.59

Wildlife: Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch; Ringlet,

Blackcraig Circuit in reverse

Hill: Blackcraig & Blacklorg

Type: Graham/Donald

Tramping the same old hills but hopefully not for much longer. Back to Glen Afton. For a change I decided to do this in reverse of the normal circuit. Just blogged the start as it was different then just snaps.

From parking the meandering tree line our route

Parked at the usual spot we walked back to the farm and followed the track beside the Craig burn. Most previous outings I have descended off the nose of Craigbraneoch but I thought walking further up the track would  make for an easier climb, wrong!

The track was built for forestry purposes but stopped early, maybe they made too much money from the windfarms across the way to be concerned about tree planting. However, they might not have planted too many trees but the did build deer fences and doublers at that in some sections.

Deer fence

So, my plan to go further up the track was curtailed as I wanted walking fitness but I did not want to climb deer fences.

After deciding no climbing fences it was now onto the rough stuff, very rough stuff. Rather than contouring it was easier to go uphill at an angle heading for the plateau just short of the top. 

Steep ascent on rough ground

Slow going as the underfoot was Galloway terrain at its worst. Lots of rocks hidden and not. Lots of holes likewise. Plus it was a steep gradient ranging in the 30-50% and at times even steeper, face in all four hands and feet required. I wanted to work on my hill fitness and I was getting it. Breathing too hard, wow.

Cannock Hill, Alwhat behind

Blacklorg

Blacklorg cairn looking east

Blackcraig from Blacklorg

Blackcraig from boggy plateau

Finally on top and it was a case of following the normal circuit in reverse. Enjoyable as different perspective of the prolonged views mainly south. Although extremely windy and cold the sky stayed clear for the most part so views were excellent.

Blackcraig trig looking north

More turbines to spoil the descent

Quintin Knowe, disputed boundary marker between Ayrshire & Dumfries

New track

Looking over to Craigbraneoch

Another step forward in the fitness battle and a good walk on a bracing day.

Ascent: 762m

Distance: 13.3km

Time: 5.18

Wildlife: Chaffinch; Meadow Pipit; Skylark

Building fitness in Glen Afton.....Blackcraig circuit

Hill: Blackcraig & Blacklorg

Type: Graham & Donald

Another outing towards building up my hillwalking fitness with a return to the 4 hill circuit above Glen Afton. The weather forecast was generally positive for views and that turned out to be the case. There are previous reports of the route elsewhere in my blog and in fairness the route does not change much. So, this is mainly snaps with a couple of comments on changes I did find.

Looking back to start from Quentin

Some snow patches on flank of Blackcraig

The constructed track from start up to Quentin cairn has been improved since my last visit. Then it went roughly half way up before becoming a boggy path but now it goes all the way to the cairn before becoming a boggy path. Linked to the every expanding wind farm I suspect.

Blackcraig Trig

Blacklorg on left, Alhang middle and Windy on right

A furry caterpillar out early

On the descent from Blacklorg two deep sink holes have appeared that I do not remember from before. There was running water which I presume to be an underground burn. Both holes are right beside the track easily catching out an unwary walker. Imagine this hidden with the recent snow covering, could be very nasty.

Spooky turbines

Mass turbines on Windy

A new sinkhole interesting if snow covered

Sun coming out at last

Snow to play on

It was a good up and down rolling hills walk, damp underfoot but when is it not on these hills? Sadly the number of wind turbines appears to have increased now almost circling these hills. Some areas have surely contributed more than their share and i feel this area is one. 

Final descent to the track

Preggie Coo dropping soon

Looking back to final hill from the car

It has been a good walking week with circa 1800m of ascent and feeling good. Hill fitness moving forward.

Ascent: 785

Distance: 13.5

Time: 5.2

Wildlife: Rook; Raven; Skylark; very fat hairy caterpillar.

Rambling around Glen Afton hills

Hill: Blackcraig 700m, Blacklorg 681m..non categorised Cannock Hill & Craigbraneoch.
Category: Graham/Donald
Height: n/a

Another super day out and excellent walk today with the Ayr OIR. Wow these guys and gals go at a good rate and it made for a proper walking day.
We tramped one of the normal Glen Afton routes which I have covered before. 
Taking a clockwise direction we ascended the highest hill of the day, Blackcraig first, summit in the clouds and cold was this a bad omen?
We then descended following the fence into the wet bog land before ascending Blacklorg and the clouds lifted. A solitary walker coming the opposite way but not close enough to talk to, his solitude broken by this bunch of old codgers. 
We followed the dyke and the normal route across to Cannock Hill and then onto our fourth hill, Craigbraneoch. From here there was a new variation for me, a descent off the steep grassy eastern flanks heading to the farm. A good descent but great care required as many hidden holes to catch the unwary.
Overall a really good day out, weather played its part and the walking speed was fast enough but still allowed good chat and crack as we progressed.

Craigbraneoch

Long view descent of Craigbraneoch

Descent zoomed

Glen Afton

Looking back to Cannock Hill and Afton reservoir

Trust this bridge or not?

Initial ascent heading to Quintin Knowe

Start

Wildlife: Red Grouse; Meadow Pipit; Golden Plover.
Time: 4.44
Ascent: 731m
Distance: 12.7km

Blackcraig Hill circuit

Blackcraig Hill (Graham) 700m & (Blacklorg Hill) Donald 681m
The forecast for the day was better than the reality when we arrived. Heavy cloud covering Blackcraig Hill, maybe it will blow away.
We parked exactly 4 miles into Glen Afton, marked parking area is on the left, deep potholes drive carefully. It can be a remote and wild place, a windfarm worker died here this winter trapped by the snowstorms.
Then walked back the .3mile to Blackcraig farm entrance, a camper and car parked up, boots outside long lie today, well the clocks did go forward?

Quintin Knowe cairn in distance 

Now we followed the normal track, climbing gradually until we reach Quintin Knowe. A bulldozer track has been dug in for most of this climb before ending abruptly, more turbines I wonder. Rather a bleak section of countryside.

Blackcraig Hill from QK cairn

We spot a runner with his dog coming down the flanks, a lot faster than we were ascending.

Some new turbines below

Then up to Blackcraig Hill, staying close to the fence and crossing the soft snow patches. As we spot the cairn it drifts in and out of cloud, likewise the trig when spotted.

Trig in distance

Patchy wetland but not too bad. At the summit hide in the small structure to have a snack, a cool wind blowing. Sadly the vista is wind turbine city, not pretty.

Turbines on flanks of Windy Standard

The clouds have lifted so down and up to Blacklorg, staying to the right of the fence following old sheep trails. Nearing the top we look back and spot 3 walkers coming over the top of Blackcraig, so not alone today.

Striding Arch zoomed in

I wander a bit and look down at the wind farm tracking cutting below us and continuing way south. It is clear enough to spot one of the Striding Arches, probably Benbrack.

Blackcraig Hill from Craigbraneoch

We decide to omit Cannock and make a moorland beeline crossing directly to Craigbraneoch. At the tree plantation we stop for another break and spot yet another couple of walkers topping Blackcraig, busy today.

Summit Craigbraneoch

Although rough ground the walking was fine. Super views from the top down Glen Afton and surrounding land.

Glen Afton

Descend to the dam from cairn heading for the tree line at the reservoir. Now the boring bit 25mins downhill tarmac walk back. Looking back it is possible to descend the crags without cutting back to the dam, thus reducing the road walk.

Looking back to Craigbraneoch

I enjoyed the walk, minimal wildlife: raven; buzzard and skylarks.
Time: 4.48hr
Ascent: 766m
Distance: 14.5km