Back to Culter Fell with Ayr & District

Hill: Cardon Hill: Chapelgill Hill; Culter Fell

Type: Graham & Donald

I had volunteered to lead a walk for the group and these hills are excellent for a group. There are previous posts so mainly just pictures and stats. More people snaps are on the ADRC webpage.

The only change to previous trips was the addition of the Donald top, Cardon Hill which I had not been on before. It is an outlier of Chapelgill Hill. A gentle spur which only added less than 30 minutes to the trip.

Sadly solo car travelling limited the numbers allowed to go in the trip but those that attended were all good company and enjoyed a nice day and a good horseshoe circuit with fabulous views.

The steep start

Impressive flanks of Culter Fell

Chapelgill Hill

Moorland

Cardon Hill from large pile of stones on minor top

Tinto behind Cardon Hill cairn

Culter Fell and our descent ridge running right to left

From Culter summit, Cardon & Chapelgill

Chapelgill switchback shows well

Broad ridge to descend keep aiming for Tinto

Beautiful start and finish location

Ascent: 788m

Distance: 14.3km

Time: 5.08

Wildlife: Skylark; Meadow Pipit; Raven; Red Grouse; Short eared owl ( en route but my first of the year) 

A return to the Culter Hills but the weather forecast was more than a little innaccurate.

Hills: Culter Fell (Originally named as Fiends Fell)(748m); Chapelgill Hill (696m)

Type: Donald/Graham

It was good to return to the rolling Culter Hills in the company of friends from Kilmarnock Ramblers. A smaller group due to Covid travel and a midweek outing but reached my target number. The Culter Hills are on the watershed between the valleys of the Rivers Clyde (draining into the Atlantic) and Tweed (draining into the north Sea).

According to the forecast it was to be a blustery but dry day with lots of sunshine, err nope. A weather front was predicted to blow through overnight and indeed I was aware of the rain hammering down when I went to bed. However, on travelling it had not cleared through as intended, more shades of grey up there in the sky than in the book.

The walk start was again from Culter Allers farm where as we prepared one of the biggest sheep I have ever seen tried to get away from the shepherdess by charging our lines. It didn't make it and when caught she gave that sheep a bawling out, wouldn't want to be on the wrong side of her myself. Still all were cheerful as we headed up the sheltered steep slope to the treeline where the wind let us know it was still around. I took the easier route to avoid the worst of the wind and also I was unsure of the group fitness.

We had a good view of Culter Fell and its huge deep cleugh. Before long the going got wetter underfoot but we reached the fence crossing in good time just as the wind increased. 

Some people wishing they were a bit more supple when crossing the obstacle. At least the clouds were not low enough to cover our tops but from this high viewpoint it was clear the weather front was broken and continuous.

We followed an ATV track Chapelgill Hill thus avoiding the peat hags which would have been a gloopy mess. Enjoyed the views over the Pentlands which looked to be in full sunshine. Closer to us the Broughton hills less so. Still the views down to Glenkirk farm were appreciated. As for the wind turbines they were rightly in the gloom.

At the summit it was far too windy to have a break so after reviewing the memorial plaque we backtracked to find a sheltered spot out of the westerly wind and indeed we found one so lunch was a more relaxed and pleasant affair.

On the steeper approach up to Culter (pronounced Cooter) Fell the wind upped its game and our group were staggering about as if drunk as the gusts tried to spin us around and make us lose our footing, but still the dark humour continued to make light of it all. Some heavy breathing on this ascent not all wind related.

Photographic battle in place.

We staggered to the top of Culter Fell where the wind decided it had not yet had enough fun and became almost storm force with some rain thrown in to not amuse us. The irony was that I had postponed this walk a few weeks ago as the forecast had been for excessively high winds!! It was also blinking cold on the top.

Once everyone had reached the top we were off. I decided against the shoulder as we would have been exposed to the full frontal so headed to lower ground as quickly as possible.

Thankfully nobody slipped on the sodden grassy surface and we reached the calmer ground and enjoyed the views over to the areas where there appeared to be blue skies and sunshine, jealous, yes. Tinto clear in this picture.

Back at the cars all agreed it had been an effort at times but that it had been an enjoyable walk and that is always the main objective. Exercise and laughter always a good combination particularly in these trying times. 

As I got changed at the car a weasel emerged from the grass beside me and sprinted into some other cover, a nice finish to the walk.

Wildlife: Red Grouse; Pheasant; Weasel; Meadow Pipit.

Ascent:709m 

Distance: 13.2km 

Time: 4.40m

Last of my Culter Donalds, Chapelgill Hill, with Culter Fell thrown in for exercise

Hill: Chapelgill Hill & Culter Fell

Category: Donald & Graham/Donald

Height: 696m & 748m

A quick return to Culter Allers Farm to complete my Donalds in this range.

Parked up at the same slot for my Hudderstone route but heading the other side, I hope the crowds mentioned in that blog not around today.

There are two options to climb Chapelgill and initially I was going to come up via Glenkirk on the other side. But I had used this on my first climb of Culter Fell so opted for a totally new experience.

Once again I started from Culter Allers Farm, this time the only car in the parking space. I was early but wanted to avoid the predicted very hot temperatures later on.

Up this track, Culter Fell on right.

Going past the large farmhouse there was more farming activity, dogs barking but never seen them.

A short walk up the reservoir road before heading upwards along the flanks of the tree line. A short steep section had me blowing away, don't seem to be getting much fitter! The patchwork heather flanks of Culter Fell in view but I would not see my objective for some time.

Follow the ATV track round and up to the fence-lines meet. 

Follow fence to the top of grouse moor

There is a slightly shorter track across the heather but I was in no rush. Although managed for the red grouse I did not see or hear any today.

Another fence to follow again Culter Fell ahead

Another short but steep section over Tippet Knowe before reaching the peat hags. I walked round these to the fence and then followed it up and over Kingsbank Head. There are a lot of peat hags which could be very muddy walking under other weather circumstances. But today I jumped about like a young lamb and missed most of them.

over the moor and hags, first views of Chapelgill ahead

You can also take in the Donald top of Cardon Hill but I sloped round with the ATV track and headed up the ridge to Chapelgill Hill and its two small cairns, one on each side of the fence. Curlews calling and diving must be nests close by. As predicted the wind had really picked up so light jacket thrown on.

Chapelgill cairn looking to the Pentlands

The views were excellent particularly looking east to the Pentland Hills and back to Tinto as well as the local Culters.

Gathersnow behind Culter

It took just 90 minutes walking to the top so after an energy boost from a banana I reversed my route back through the hags and decided to throw in Culter Fell which is the highest point of the Culter hills.

Loved the sky trails above Culter Fell

Stayed this side of the fence, an easy walk to the trig, with a few pauses to take in the views of course.

As befits the highest hill in the range the views continued to impress and you can see the four other Culter Donalds as well as the three Donald tops from here. The masts on the Corbett Broad Law can just be seen through the heat haze.

Culter Fell trig looking to Chapelgill & Pentland hills

A delightful stroll back down taking in the spectacular green rolling hills and all the lumps and bumps around. It was really hot now so glad I was not going up.

The sky had been amazing today, constantly changing and the westward clouds bubbling up. Driving home I soon entered solid cloud, turn around please!

The only noises for the majority of the walk were the birdsong and the sheep, nature at its best, peaceful and relaxing.

Descent with Tinto beyond

Some movement made me look over to my left and I could see three different groups slowing heading up the steep slopes of the Fell Shin track heading to Culter Fell.

Back trough the trees and around a dozen cars parked up so still popular but I avoided everyone yet again.

Back at the car and it was so warm my chocolate bar had melted in its wrapper in the rucksack. That was the only bad point about this excellent walk on a beautiful summers day like this.

PS: If this is too easy you could always try running it!! Chapelgill Hill Race, took place on 14Mar this year.

‘The route must pack in the most amount of climbing for any race so short. A relentlessly steep climb followed immediately by a thigh-burning descent’. Winning time 23.08minutes. Wow.

Wildlife: Kestrel; Buzzard; Raven; Meadow Pipit; Skylark; Curlew; Oystercatcher.

Time: 3.44

Ascent: 774m

Distance: 13.1k