Annual January ramble up Craiglee

Hill: Craiglee (Loch Doon)

Type: Sub2k

Height: 523m

Time for my annual January trip up Craiglee. A friend wanted a walk but one that was not too onerous. I was originally planning a long overdue Wanlockhead outing but the forecast was for fog/mist. So off to Loch Doon to see if it was any better. As you can see from the snaps the answer was not a lot. Even the wildlife remained hunkered down nothing was about apart from a crow, not even finches in the bushes. Still it was a good leg stretcher and a good natter. Interestingly well over an hour quicker than last year albeit that had some deep snow conditions.

New to me

Ascent: 443m

Distance: 5.6km

Time: 2.2

Wildlife: Carrion Crow

Freedom at last.....Curlywee a fitting walk om a grand day

Hill: Curlywee (Hill of the Eagle)

Type: Donald

Height: 674m

Scotland's day of freedom when our second lockdown was eased to allow travel out with our local authority areas. An hours drive into the heart of Dumfries & Galloway seemed appropriate to bag a new Donald hill. An added bonus, Curlywee is rated as one of the finest hills in the Southern Uplands.

The Merrick start but we went right

A beautiful blue sky morning deserved an early start and apart from one idiot who decided to corner on my side of the road, I thought I was in serious trouble, the drive was a joy. 

Willow Warbler

Even better when I arrived at my parking area to see a red squirrel run across the road and up a tree, my first of the year so a good start, too quick to snap but this wee beauty was close by, my first willow warbler & chiffchaff of the year.

Loch Trool, we are heading for the lump in the middle

There are various ways to do this hill but I was not combining it with anything else. So a 90 minute trek along the hardpacked section of the Southern Upland Way took us to the White Laggan bothy. 

Sustrans sign at beautiful Loch Dee

Not all hardship as the views across Loch Doon are spectacular, it is a beautiful loch. I reminisced about a fishing trip. This loch is reputed to hold huge brown trout. We saw or touched nothing all day. When we were packing up the car we heard a loud splash. Looking back no fish but big ripples, a huge brownie giving us the finger lol.

White Laggan bothy ahead with Curlywee distinctive cone peaking top right

Like all mountain bothies these are currently closed as Covid idiots have trashed a few so everyone suffers. Not sure what these 3 wooden structures nearby represent, if anything.

My original plan was to walk from the bothy along a old marked trail contouring Curlywee until I was at a direct line between Bennan Hill and then taking me up to the Nick of Curlywee. But as we nourished, looked at the hill and examined the map, the direct attack up the slope beside the fissure looked a straightforward option, so plan changed.

Steep climb from the bothy

Now 150m of direct ascent took us to the ridge where the contours eased. In a few months this would be more difficult as all the dead fern foliage would have regenerated and hidden the many holes.

White Hill the point just behind

Once on the ridge we had a view of Curlywee's top and breath in, it does not look too far away. Another 200m of ascent but across a gentler gradient. 

The terrain of the middle section is truest D & G tussocks, really rough. Ankle breaker hidden holes as you dodge the tussocks.

The final section is much better, harder ground, shorter grass and with relief the top is reached. And the views do not disappoint. This is a wild and very rugged landscape with its features hidden among the parched camouflaged landscape. But blue water lochs break the parched brown land. 

Rugged terrain or what. Craiglee front, Craignaw right and Mullwharchar middle rear

Hills are evident as looking north the Merrick, Craignaw & Mullwharchar stand out. Corserine and Cairnsmore of Dee. Lamachan and Larg nearby. Along with views to the Solway and back to the parking area, not a bad spot at all to enjoy freedom.

The return was by the same route. The descent via White Hill was considered but it is much rougher terrain and steeper. Now we have freedom not the time for injuries.

Typical deforestation

Since I was last here to walk Craiglee there has been significant deforestation taking away from the feel of the place.

Still that's another Donald ticked and a fulfilling walk for our day of freedom.

Ascent: 921m

Distance: 17.9km

Time: 5.49

Wildlife: Red Squirrel (1st of year); Peregrine; Raven; Chaffinch; Chiffchaff ( 1st of the year); Meadow Pipit; Pied Wagtail; Chaffinch;

Mullwharchar....the most remote hill in South West Scotland and at times it felt like it.

Hill: Mulwharchar (Hill of the Lapwing)

Type: Graham/Donald

Height: 692m

As I drove along Loch Doon at just after 7am, temperature showing -2deg, I was amazed at how many people had stayed here overnight. If I said 50 tents I think I would be underestimating. Yesterday afternoon the traffic was the busiest since the first lockdown, I guess people have just had enough, me included.

Sunrise over Loch Doon

The fog was down but it was a stunning morning. I suspect most of the tent occupants missed this, too blinking cold to get out of a sleeping bag. 

My first view of the Dungeon range.

Mullwharchar is certainly the most remote hill in SW Scotland and as you look down from Hoodens and look at the landscape below you can understand why. Because of its remoteness it was considered an ideal place to bury nuclear waste, thankfully that was rejected.

The Wolf Stock

It was cold enough when I started walking to have my hood up. I knew the initial stage was a walk along a hard packed forest construction track but surprised myself by doing it in an hour to the bridge over Gala Lane. Sore on the feet.

Gala Lane bridge with Mullwharchar & Hoodens

The next section was  certainly not sore on the feet, 20 minutes of bog, tussocks, water etc. I followed a track of sorts but it did the job and got me to the flanks of Hoodens Hill. 

Indeed I was looking at the intriguing named crags 'The Wolf Slock'. My short ascent full of tussocky ground avoided these and I saw no wolves.

Huge boulder precariously balanced

Up top I found a faint track which disappeared as much as I followed it. Hoodens hill was a tough little hill. Much longer than it appears, awkward walking and many false tops. Was it only 9.30am?

The sky was blue and it was warming up. My burning neck led to sun cream being applied, 1st week in April and snow next week wow. There are more crags off to the left 'Yellow Tomach' great name but what does it mean?

Typical slabs that aided walking

After what seemed like an age I reached the long plateau called Hoodens Hill. A mix of tussocks, stone slabs and the odd track kept me plodding along. A small cairn but this did not look like the highest point.

Mullwharchar left, Hoodens middle and Merrick right

Previous walkers have created small cairns all over the place although not sure how helpful they are.

M & M from Hoodens

Looking ahead I see Mulwharchar and then the descent down to the two lochans which I want to split. Its only a descent of just under 100m and the stone slabs aid progress. Plenty of small red/brown lizards or newts near the lochans. Far too quick appearing and disappearing to get a snap.

Harder walking to Mullwharchar

The 200m plus ascent of Mullwharchar is a case of using more of the slabs to aid progress, avoid as many tussocks as possible. You got the idea and thankfully no false summits.

The Awful Hand range from Mullwharchar

Once on top the views were stunning a fitting reward for the slog before and still to come. The best view was seeing the full range of the Awful Hand quite special on a day like this. To the south Dungeons Hill & Craignaw, another long day ahead for those two.

Meandering Gala Lane and the moor to cross plus Loch Doon top left

A careful descent and reascent of Hoodens and I was looking down over the moor that I had crossed from the bridge over Gala Lane. This really is remote ground. From up here there looked an alternative route but I knew the terrain would be poor, better sticking to the 20 minute sometimes track through the plantation. Indeed once down I found a better track than my in route and glad I stuck with it.

Over the bridge and back on to the hard pack road for the walk back to the car. Delighted to see a shadow flickering about and it turned out to be a Peacock butterfly. Not my first sighting but first snap of the year, spirits lifted.

Peacock

A long and tough walk, nobody else spotted, so almost 7 hours of just me and my mind games!!

Ascent: 894m

Distance: 23.7km

Time: 6.51

Wildlife: Kestrel; Buzzard; Chaffinch; Robin; Meadow Pipit; Raven; Peacock butterfly; Tadpoles: Lizard?

Another return to Shalloch on Minnoch

Hill: Shalloch on Minnoch (Middle Heel)

Type: Corbett

Height: 775m

Ascent: 561m

Another repeat hill before getting free to explore wider Scotland. Previous blogs on here so minimum words just some snaps.

It was a nice surprise to see a newly constructed bridge over the burn. it is wedged into an steep angled rock so easier today to cross as normal but useful for higher water conditions.

It is always wet and boggy at the start

It takes two!

There were numerous 'rana temporia ' around today, Impressed with my Latin? Nope didn't think so Common Frog to us. Particularly near the small lochan at the start of the final climb to Shalloch. Multiple colourings had to take great care not to stand on them. 

The top in view still some small snow patches

The clouds were coming and going but lifted for the trig view.

View East

South ridge Lake District far away but in view

Still a small but lengthy cornice at the top of the Maidens Bed. Looked pretty but quite unstable with the melting weather so no walking on it.

Descent with frog lochan

Distance: 12.7km

Time: 4.22

Wildlife: Common Frog; Skylark; Meadow Pipit; Raven

As promised a swift return to Craiglee and it didn't disappoint.

Hill: Craiglee (The Grey Crag)

Type: Sub2k

Height: 523m

The forecast was excellent for my swift return to Craiglee. This small hill can be climbed from Loch Finlas or by my choice, from Loch Doon starting at the castle, with it's historical connections to Robert the Bruce. 

View from the start

Once again an icy road driving in but the pink hue on the hills from the morning sun was breathtaking, well worth an early start. Plus met the gritter who was able to go more off road than me so a comfort knowing the road had been gritted.

Two overnight campervans already in the parking area but plenty of parking for us. The parking area was decidedly more slippery than midweek (-6deg from car) and I even considered my mini spikes but too much effort as I assumed they would be quickly off again.

Evident track lower down

About 50m up the track it was still icy but we were utilising the soft snow at the verges. Noticeable that there had been a significant snow melt since midweek. Indeed the track up to the Wee Hill was at times more ice than snow. The descent could be interesting if we returned that way!

Craiglea

It really was a beautiful winters day and now getting views of Craiglee off to our left. It didn't take too long to get the cairn on Wee Hill and take in the superb views. The SMC guide says it is one of the finest viewpoints in Southern Scotland and I would not argue.

From the top we headed NE and I don't think anyone had tramped in my footsteps since midweek so it was an obvious choice to follow them and save energy for the deeper stuff soon to be encountered. 

Deep snow to break a track

The snow levels up here were still the same, no real thaw at this height, some deep stuff to wade through and break a trail but it felt good to be out on a snowy hill on a day like this. Perfect silence which you don't experience too often. Plus feeling fine fitness wise, I reckon I had something just not right over the last month that had me breathing harder on my walks.

As we climbed we ploughed through the drifts. There were quite a few hare tracks but none spotted.

Trig in sight someone's descent track

When we crested the top the trig was in sight but this also brought about a significant temperature change. We clearly had been on the leeward on the ascent. Hat and gloves back on. Still time taken to enjoy the magnificent views. Seen it all before and it never disappoints but on a winters day like this it is extra special.

Winter wonderland

We headed back off the top to find some shelter for lunch and enjoy the vista in comfort.

Loch Doon

A surprisingly swift snowy descent only one really deep snow mishap where we went deep. From here I didn't fancy my original route contouring the hill so chose to go back up the Wee Hill. No hardship as it is a short walk and good to get more effort in the bank.

Looking back to Carsphairn

From the top we took a leisurely descent enjoying the views of the big southern hills. Great care was taken and surprisingly the spikes were not required. We only met one other couple on the hill but the carpark was rammed full, I thought Ayr OIR had changed there day, where were all these people?

A stunning short day out particularly as I love these winter snow conditions. The views were magnificent, fitness was good, bring the rest on.

Ascent: 457m

Distance: 5.7k

Time: 3.44

Wildlife: Red Grouse; Robin; Rook; Wren; Hare & deer tracks.

A walk in the clouds.....Haggis Hill circuit

Hill: Haggis Hill (510m) circuit including Craigenreoch (565m)

Type: Haggis Hill Dodd & Craigenreoch Sub2k

Where to go my weekly walk? Dick had recently mentioned the Haggis Hill round and that seemed a good place to relive some memories. I had only completed the round once before and that was a grim day with poor visibility. I was told then that the views are good so decision made. Looking at the weather forecast the brightest was Wednesday morning becoming cloudy later.

Unfortunately my trusty Harvey's map of the Galloway Forest did not include these hills. So, once again, I put together a straight line between hills rough route on OS maps. The only issue was I could not remember exactly where I started the last time. I remember a small parking area going up the hill road to Barr, named the Nick of the Balloch, time will tell.

A grey start to the walk

An early start and a bright red sky as I set off. By the time I approached Stincher the clouds were already down. I found what I thought was the parking spot in the gloom along with now a drizzle. Out of the car and I had to motivate myself as I could not really be bothered, going home and back to bed seemed a better option.

Always the fool, gear on and where to start going up this hill? I had thought there might be an obvious footpath through the wet grass from previous walkers but nope maybe this was the wrong starting place. Just head up desmondo.

Clouds lifting or falling?

My memory did recall a steep start but this seemed more brutal. There is no doubt that recently without much high walking, little cycling or gym my fitness has taken a decline. As I huffed and puffed with regular stops this slope confirmed that. 

For a brief moment a moorland view

I reached the top at Brandy Well after 170m of direct ascent where I had a view of the barren countryside ahead, relieved. That lasted about 5 minutes before the clouds descended not to lift again during the high level walk.

The ground was soaking wet and my right boot clearly has a leak somewhere as the front of my foot was already squelching, the joys.

At least a track to follow

Initially I was plodding across the heather until I found an ATV track just before Rowantree Hill. 

Craigenreoch the highest point

Ultimately I then just followed this in a clockwise direction over the named hills of Craigenreoch (the highest point); Polmaddie; Pinbreck and Changue hills. 

Gloom

The visibility remained at about 50 - 80 metres throughout so all I was looking at was the track, some fencing and the odd tree. Apart from a lone curlew  the only sounds were me splashing through the sodden terrain and my chuntering to myself, nobody to offend.

Haggis Hill

I had forgotten about the steep descent from Changue until out of the mist loomed the genuine haggis shaped mass of Haggis Hill. The cloud thinned enough to torture me with a view of the climb ahead before closing down again. I know it is not much of a climb but with my mindset today it felt much higher.

Marker stone on Haggis Hill

Not too breathless I reached the small standing stone at Haggis Hill and knew the worst walking was now ahead and I had two burns to cross!

Time to head down

I am not sure if I descended from a different spot than the previous round but this was in the very steep category and I don't quite remember it as bad as that. At least I was out of the cloud so had a good view way down. Care taken as any tumble could be a long roll down. Down below me was a large stone sheep pen, I don't remember that. Slowly I edged my way baby steps down to the burn. As I descended I did think that I get myself in some pickles when on my own.

Thankfully the burn wasn't running too fast but it was wide and on my side previous heavy flows had severely eroded the bank so no step downs. After a wander I found a tussock in the middle that I could step on and a straightforward leap to the other bank. 

Steep slopes

One thing I did remember was that this last section was the worst of the going, trackless rough ground and another burn to negotiate. Wonder why I remember that?

Decision time the car is beyond the V

After circling the mass of Glengap Hill I reached another sheep pen. Decision time as I could see the burn I had to follow heading up the hillside. Two decisions were the rough/stony terrain and then crossing the burn higher up where it was much steeper and from here I could see a number of waterfalls. Or cross the burn here and head up to the road.

I was not in the mood for the gamble so forded the burn and headed up to the road close to the Witches bridge. Relief at walking on the road, don't say that too often. As I walked I could see below that there was an old ATV track that could have been followed so maybe for the next time.

The cloud was back down it was cold, windy and damp so I was well pleased to reach the car.

Well how to sum up? It was needed exercise so a tick for that. Fair to say not the best walk that I have had. And I do need to come back as I have still not seen those views!

Ascent: 513m

Distance: 10k

Time: 3.08

Wildlife: Curlew; Raven; Red Grouse; Grey Heron; Buzzard: Kestrel