Warmth at last for a short ramble.....Meigle Hill

Hill: Meigle Hill

Type: Sub2k

Height: 423m

I was on a wee break with the good lady and was not expecting to get a hill out of the trip, but she indicated a ramble might be good with all the fine dining calories we had taken on. Checking my to-do list I found a short Marilyn with a track all the way and only a short drive.

Yarrow valley fog

Looking out of the window it was a pea souper but I was confident that it would quickly burn off.

A lovely winding single track drive through the rolling Border hills to the start at Clovenfords.

It was a beautiful morning when we started, real heat, wow summer is all but over so this warmth was very welcome.

No obvious spots so parked up in a housing estate and walked the short distance to the start proper, which very unusually begins by walking through a working farm. No signs for walkers so hope it is the right place.

Through the buildings where a dirt track led up to another part of the farm, empty cow sheds, so the beasts might be encountered on the hill, don’t tell the good lady.

A wooden sign post indicated that there are a few walks around this area. For our ramble we initially followed the signs for the Meigle circuit.

The track was now a grassy and all around sheep were making plenty of noise as we passed them, presumably thought we had brought food. Ominously there were fairly fresh coo droppings and she had spotted them!

So the tactic was that I was on point walking about 20m ahead of her just in case I stumbled on the beasties.

Clovenfords on the right

Getting steeper I am ignoring the moans lol

Thankfully the gradient and ascent was as straightforward as I hoped, although there was still a few moans behind me which I chose to ignore.

Because it was a low gradient there was always the chance of meeting the beasts so I was on alert but so far so good. These rolling Border hills are a delight and the views were superb.

Cow tracks on the grass

Another signpost junction was reached, none of the routes that we were taking, our summit was the communication masts which were clearly visible. The walking tracks went cross country but we continued on the grassy track. Deep hoof prints and coo dung on the track but still no encounters with them.

Arrived at the first mast where the map marks something called Wallace's putting stone. I presume this round boulder is it with its cup and stone markings.

However the true summit is just after the 2^nd mast, a trig is on this side of the wall but a huge cairn on the other side of the stone dyke is the true top although there does not appear to be any difference.

Proof she made it

Still it was a beautiful day, the good lady was enjoying the views which included looking over our old stomping ground of Galashiels and beyond the Eildon's at Melrose. 

Wall butterfly. Been in the wars chunks out of its tail and wing

A few butterflies were flying around but one in particular caught my attention. This was a Wall butterfly which was my 1^st sighting this year and only my 3^rd ever so a lovely surprise.

After taking in the views we enjoyed a slow descent taking in more views and enjoying the warmth.

A good ramble and no coos spotted so good news all round. Time to go for a wee drive and find a nice cafe.

Ascent: 262m

Distance: 5.56m

Time: 1.55

Wildlife: Buzzard; Meadow Pipit; Wood Pigeon; Wren; Pheasant; Kestrel; Small White butterfly; Peacock butterfly; Wall butterfly;

Delightful butterfly surprise on otherwise insignificant Cairn Pat

Hill: Cairn Pat
Category: Sub 2k/Marilyn
Height: 182m

The start

On my way to Portpatrick I couldn’t miss the opportunity to pick off my most south westerly sub2k. The added bonus was that it must be one of the lowest and hence the quickest. It was a gloomy low cloud morning hope it stays dry as no outdoor gear with me.
No obvious nearby parking so I parked the car a couple of hundred yards past the start of the walk at a deserted farm/works building.
The signpost confirms the short hike so up the brambled clad track on one side I went. Farmer came down quite fast so as I stood into the grassy verge on the other side, to let him past, I touched the wire fence, ouch it was electrified. I bet that gave him a laugh.

Clear track to top

Soon a locked gate which I climbed over to observe lots of coo pats and fresh. The track was now muddy and on full alert I spotted them but they were in the field on the other side of the hedge but this track is part of the field.

Disinterested coos

I then reached the next fence with the mast in clear view not far away. At least this gate opened. This field was also full of coos, a different kind and closer but they just stared and kept their distance.

Trig to Loch Ryan

Before long the trig appears to the right hand side of the mast.

Lake District over there somewhere

Despite the very low clouds there are some distance views back up Loch Ryan. I can see Stranraer and the Solway visibility not good enough to see the Lake District.

Mating pair of The Wall

Back down the trail taking a bit of time to watch the butterfly mating game that was taking place amid the brambles and thistles. Later when checking my snaps I realised that I had a 1st for me, this mating pair are called ‘The Wall’, as said never seen or heard of before so chuffed.

Red Admiral & bee

Also a nice snap of a red admiral about to be removed from the flower by the bumble bee.

Small White

A short walk and objective achieved. With the butterflies it reaffirmed that no hill no matter how insignificant could be well worth it.

Wildlife: Red Admiral, The Wall, Small White.
Time: 45min.
Ascent: 298ft
Distance: 1.59m