Red clay & Red grouse.....Dirrington Great Law

Hill: Dirrington Great Law

Type: Sub2k

Height: 398m

Another short ramble today which completes my Lammermuir Hills collection. Although Dirrington is a few miles away from the main range it is considered part of the Lammermuir's albeit as an outlier.

A short drive, only 5 miles or so from Duns, but it feels much more remote and isolated. If it were not for a couple of farms around it would be considered an area on non human habitation.

I parked up beside a gate and got ready in a temperature not far off zero but it was calm, no wind.

The direct approach

From the start I had a good view of Dirrington and whilst it might not be a big hill from this view it had a slightly pointed triangular shape, that will do fine.

My option

There are basically 2 options for the hill. Go cross country in a direct line from the gate and take on whatever the terrain throws at you. Or follow the estate tracks in a round about way. I was in no rush so I went for the latter.

Sadly Dirrington has many heather patches in view so no doubting that it is still an active grouse moor.

I started up the track tramping through the squelchy infamous red mud. Was it a by product of some old mining? Had a look later but nothing like that shown on the map.

On one side the water was still frozen, actually looked picturesque but no summer temperatures here.

As I walked through the recently planted trees I noticed movement coming my way. A brown hare, eyes down focused on the track, lopped towards me. When only feet away it realised I was there and stopped dead. We had a stare out. I slowly moved my hand to get my camera but of course it reacted to that and jumped sideways into the heather patches and disappeared. Just minutes after another one appeared but that one was more aware and disappeared as soon as it spotted me.

Browsing sheep were in and about the newly planted trees so just as well the trees had plastic protectors. From my very inexperienced eyes it looked like most were surviving.

It didn’t take too long to hear to hear and spot my first red grouse. As it turned out there were plenty around so a successful winter for this lot. What they don't know is that Autumn is their dangerous time!!

The track was meandering so I was walking away from my destination but it did not take too long for the track to start turning and head towards a stone dyke that I would follow to the top.

Behind me a large number of Greylag geese were being spooked by something. Their loud calling dominated the air as they rose, flew for a bit before dropping again. I could not see a flying predator so possibly a fox on the prowl agitated them. Still for a while I had constant honking as my background noise.

Now at the dyke there was no track but the heather had been cut in long strips so the walking was straightforward. Constantly jumping about as the dead heather is still strong and sharp edged and could damage my leather boots.

As I rose I noticed the other side of the dyke was lined with double electric wired fencing with regular yellow danger of death warning triangles. What is that all about on a hill like this? The sooner we get rid of these shooting estates the better.

The top areas were dotted with small snow patches but it was a moving patch of white that caught my eye. A hare in its white winter coat. Scotland’s only native hare. Interesting to see both varieties within just 100m of altitude difference but both are within their parameters. The mountain hare is now a protected species and should be numerous but I suspect the grouse moors still illegally cull them.

I can see my car

Reached the top which was flatter than it looked from the start, not quite so pointed up here, indeed no pointy bit at all. There are two pre historic cairns at the top which are estimated to be bronze age. 

It can be clearly seen that there are mounds of some sort but they are covered in heather. 

In between the mounds is the original trig which is in the sort of state I normally am on reaching a summit these days, lying on its side amongst the heather. It is unlikely to be replaced or refurbished, technology has marched on and trigs are now redundant.

The nearest Lammermuir Hills 

I was happy enough with the views particularly over to the snow covered main Lammermuir hills along with the higher Pentland hills, certainly more snow covered sitting in the distance. Nearer to hand it is a typical remote moor landscape. I could spot a few estate tracks but clearly this would be an easy place to get caught out in bad weather.

No such worries for me as I backtracked the same way. 

Almost back at the car I did have a laugh at a sight that I have never seen before. Approaching the tree plantation I spotted a distinct bird shape sitting in branches near the top of the tree. No leaves to hide it so just a dark silhouette. As I slowly approached it had spotted me and flew off as did another three bursting from other branches that I had not noticed. All with the familiar red grouse cry. I had seen a pheasant from time to time fly from a tree but never a red grouse and certainly not four of them. Possibly practising evading the autumn shooters.

Sights and sounds, my senses in action, that's why I love the great outdoors.

It was a fine ending to a very pleasant and interesting short ramble. One of the hares showed itself again but once again too quick for a snap. But those gaiters and boots covered in red mud, time for a clean up!!

Ascent: 211m

Distance: 5.4km

Time: 1.34

Wildlife: Brown Hare: Mountain Hare; Raven; Carrion Crow; Red Grouse; Greylag Geese

Borders Sub2k raid Hill 1.....Sell Moor Hill

Hill: Sell Moor Hill

Type: Sub2k

Height: 423m

Another visit to the lovely Lammermuir Hills. If you want to make this a proper outing then start from either Stow or Lauder and it becomes at least a half day outing. The hill is the high point between the two towns. 

However I was just ticking the box so I started from the normal bagging layby at the standing stone which starts the walk at over 300m.

When I left home it was -2 with clear blue skies. That was the forecast for here as well so I was more than a little surprised at the change to the cloudy grey skies as I neared the start. At least the clouds lifted the temperature to a comfortable 8degrees.

From the layby I crossed the road and headed up through the damp rough/reedy ground heading for the edge of the trees.

At the tree junction an electrified and barbed wire fence had to be crossed twice, thankfully it was in disrepair. 

Decision time re which side to go before heading up the right hand side of the dyke towards another tree plantation. It looked easier going. The only sound was the call of a pheasant hiding in the reeds in the other field.

For some reason, lack of preparation, I thought that the trig was in the trees but it was obvious that the grassy mound on my right was higher than the forest. An easy decision to head over the rough ground until I went over a hump and spotted the trig.

Looking south to the Eildons

West towards Peebles

Although it was a grey day there were some decent views, particularly over to the Eildons.

Easy going straight back

Moles have been busy

Realising I had time on my hands I decided to pick off one of the hills I had earmarked for tomorrow so I did not dawdle and returned by the same route.

An unremarkable hill but it does get me another blue balloon.

Ascent: 88m

Distance: 2.4km

Time: .44

Wildlife: Pheasant (m), Crow

Meikle Says Law

Hill: Meikle Says Law

Type: Sub 2k

Height: 535m

A dull day was forecast so I opted for a straightforward ramble. Meikle Says Law is the highest of the Lammermuir hills and also the highest in East Lothian. Andrew Dempster in his book 'The Hughes' describes the Lammermuir hills as the southern equivalent of the Monadhliath range in the Highlands. Rolling plateau with few distinct summits. I can relate to that

As I drove through the scenic village of Gifford there was brief hope for the ramble with some blue sky showing and the moor looking as scenic as it did the last time I visited for Spartleton.

Before long my first obstacle of the day was encountered as the back road over Redstone Rig was closed to all vehicles. A look at the map and measured just over an extra kilometre each way from the junctio0n to the walk start. That was fine as only a short ramble today.

As I walked the tarmac the Fallago Rig wind farm was on my right rising above the moor. Sadly those turbines are where I was heading but I shouldn't be going through the turbines. This area is another grouse moor but I was surprised to see gun butts just a few yards from the road.

Ahead I could see flashing lights but I reached the turn off before hitting the works, whatever it was.

The signpost shows that this is also an ancient walkway, part of the Herring Road, now recognised as a Heritage Pass. I described this in my Spartleton walk description. They were hardy souls these herring women, not an easy life at all.

Not the track on left

I knew from the Walkhighlands walk description that there is an immediate steep descent, probably 50 metres at least and it was steep. The renovated Faseny Cottage on my left, chairs outside, probably a fancy bothy for the grouse shooters lunch.

I could see a track on my left accessed by an expensive looking footbridge. Not a vehicle bridge as too narrow and the ATV’s would use the ford, thought the shooters would as well.

Thats the track I want

But this was not my crossing, I had to get across the ford about 100 metres along, which after last night's rain was running highish. Some slimy stepping stones to negotiate, not fully successfully as my boots did get wet. 

I haven't seen one of these traps for a while. The last time in Perthshire a dead stoat was in one but thankfully empty today.

At this stage the track was well constructed. After a short ascent I reached a junction and another dilemma as I doubted the accuracy of the Walkhighlands description. It wanted me to follow the track left and descend to the burn again and then follow a track across 4 fords.  But my OS map showed it stopping well short of MSL. My map, however, does show a narrow track going to the top so I turned right at the junction.

The track was now heading across the moor, sometimes faint and sometimes disappearing completely. Along the track there are support boxes for the grouse so it is still used by shooters. There were plenty of grouse around but the season still has a few months to go for the slaughter to continue. I was now still heading upwards but veering away from the summit but have faith Des.

Eventually I ran out of track at a peat bog. Off track now and headed across the moor in a direct line for the top. The terrain was awkward patchwork heather and bog but not an issue. But had I made the right choice?

As I neared the top I stumbled across a narrow but well trodden path, was this the one on my map? The trig was soon in sight along with the turbines but this was the edge of them, I was not going into the badlands.

Diverting my eyes from looking at the turbines the view was not too bad if a bit horizontal. I could see the bright blue Firth of Forth and the Bass Rock, in sunshine or was that Leith.

To my left the Pentlands ridge was just in sight and to my right was Spartleton Hill. It was a bit chilly so didn't hang around for too long. There was the option of descending via the path heading northwards before dropping down to the Faseny Water and following it back. WH does not recommend it but it was a proper path up here and I can't imagine it being much different from my ascent.

I was only out for a short ramble so I decided to stick with what I knew and returned via my new found track. Although it too disappeared from time to time it was more there than not. Indeed, I passed a few spots where I realised that I had been ascending the rougher ground within metres of the track but did not spot it.

An enjoyable descent allowed me to study the terrain of the moor. Along with the longer views that were still in the sunshine I had good views of Spartleton and its surrounding wind farms.

Steep climb to finish

Feet wet at the burn again and now that steep ascent back to the road and it felt as steep as it looked.

Back on the road and it must be knocking off time as a few workies vans sped past.

Not the most glamorous of rambles but good enough. I enjoyed it and ticked off another high point as well as completing all the Lammermuir Sub2k’s.

Ascent: 315m

Distance: 10.66km

Time: 2.38

Wildlife: Red grouse; Blackbird; Flock of Fieldfare;