A glorious winters day at Wanlockhead.....Comb Head/Cold Moss via Lowther Hill

 Hill: Comb Head/Cold Moss

Type: New Donald

Height: 622m

Another cracking winters day to take advantage of before next weeks predicted mayhem. Last minute decision so decided that Wanlockhead was worth a visit, been a long time.

When I looked at my list of missing New Donalds/Tops there was this hill called Comb Head which I had never even heard of. As it turned out it is linked to Lowther Hill which I had been up a few times but not to my knowledge crossing over the other side to Comb Head. Traditionally it would have been up the ridge to Green Lowther.

A beautiful crisp morning with more blue sky than cloud. Wanlockhead village was as dead as it normally is, who lives here?

The route is straightforward as it follows the Southern Upland Way for the full ramble. The only issue was that I had to trek up to Lowther HillI first. I have to confess that I had forgotten how steep and continuous that slog is. There was even solid patches of snow to negotiate.

I spotted some people ahead and made the mistake of trying to catch them rather than going at my own pace. Catch them I did but when they stopped to chat I could hardly get the words out for sucking in breath. They must have thought what a numpty. Probably right. Still pushing the fitness was my positive.

Reached the big golf ball in the murk but it quickly cleared.

So onto the new section for me, Climbed over a fence to find there was a gate further on.

I could see the objective. Good views but the valley down below was still covered in cloud. The only negative after huffing and puffing my way up Lowther was that I was descending about 120m. Of course it was going to be climbed later.

The SUW does not get much usage here but although on the slightly boggy side the track was faint but clear. There were a few deep last minute spotted holes at the side of the track, could be interesting with a full coating of snow.

Now back up the way with a low sun keeping my head down, There are plenty of marker poles but in this sun very difficult to spot. Still plodding along I reached the first top but beware this is Cold Moss not Comb Head which is further along with a short drop and reascent. It is an interesting optical illusion as both of these tops look higher than the other from each top but Comb Head is the top with nothing to mark it when I arrived. Good views over to Durisdeer hills, wind turbines in other directions.

A cold wind had risen so backtracked just as a female Hen Harrier glided low over the heather. I used to see these regularly at Wanlockhead but it has been a few years since so happy with that. A Red Grouse broke cover but the raptor did not follow it.

Huffed and puffed my way back up to Lowther and had my food stop in the SUW bothy/shelter nearby. Welcome relief from the biting wind.

Back the same way looking at the village and surrounding hills. Cloud was building but no issues. As I entered the village a lone dog was barking. No people. Not even another dog to egg on the other one.

Cafe closed for the season so no warm drink. Overall a satisfying short winter walk.

Ascent: 656m

Distance: 11.1km

Time: 3.15

Wildlife: Raven; Hen Harrier; Red Grouse

Green Hill circuit Wanlockhead

A cracking day forecast sun and blue skies . Where can I go locally with a chance of light snow on hills? I opted for a trip to Wanlockhead to do the sub 2000/Marilyn, Green Hill, but to include the short ridge walk in full. Some people ticking boxes will be up and down to Green Hill in an hour or less but what a mistake. On a day like today, it is about soaking it in, the 360 degree views from the ridge were top drawer.

Wanlockhead village

I love these rolling hills but I particularly enjoy the drive up to the village of Wanlockhead. The hills are in close proximity, they look way bigger than they should and at the right time of year you can watch prospectors panning for gold in the stream, but none today. The colours are superb and there is snow on them hills. Passed some partridge, like the sheep not bothered by the car.
It helps that this is the highest occupied village in Scotland so saves you a lot of effort.
Parked beside the visitor centre which does not open for another 2 weeks so no coffee and cake later. Another car pulls up, they are heading up Lowther where the snow is heavier and clouds covering the tops, not sure they are equipped for it.
I head back up the road and cut in at the white cottage then follow the snow covered ATV track up to Black Hill. 

Green Hill

The snow is surprisingly soft in places so early fun playing identify the animal tracks in the snow, 3 main options: sheep; deer or dogs. Already good views looking back of the village, Lowther & Leadhills.

Lowther Hills without cloud cover

From Black Hill there is a fence but slightly further on the ATV track is a more direct route to Green Hill, as per my GPS.
Green Hill is the tick box but it has neither a trig or cairn that I could see and does not appear on OS 1:50 maps but does on 1:25, strange. 31 minutes to here. 

Stood Hill stone beside my poles

Walked about the small plateau and GPS confirmed height. It is only 1 metre higher than the next point, Stood Hill, on which I took a bearing and headed across. At its highest point I came across this rock/stone? Is this the beginnings of a cairn?

Fence navigation reassurance if required

The next ridge section is straightforward but in poor weather there is the bonus of a fence to follow to Shieling rig, then a left turn and up and down to Glenaber Hill. Some interesting snow patches to sink into but all added to the fun.

Fence to Shieling Rig, Glenaber Hill on left

Although the Lowthers were getting cloud my ridge remained clear and the views were rewarding all the way along. Absolute silence apart from the odd raven calling.

Still some deep snow

From Glenaber I did not follow the fence but descended northwards to reach the Southern Upland Way track. On this side the snow was still backed up and the SUW was deep in parts although there were some footprints going the other way, presumably following the SUW to Sanquhar.

Southern Upland Way

There are plenty of grouse butts around but not one bird to be seen or heard, maybe they were all shot in the autumn.
I left the track and took a more direct line across the grass down to the bridge. Good views of Sowen Dod which I will include next time I am here.

Sowen Dod

On the track coming from the village I spot 3 figures, lo and behold the ones from the car park. They had found the Lowthers too unfriendly so walked down the track to undertake my route in reverse.
I gave them a description of my route and timings just in case. Just 1 hour 40 min to here, a short stroll.

Mining Heritage

Now simply follow the SUW back to the village. On the hills to my left a male hen harrier was strafing the heather, beautiful grey body and black wingtips. A very endangered bird, indeed my first sighting since the Uists a couple of years ago, so a bonus for the walk.
Take time to take in the industrial mining origins of the of the village, plenty of stuff around apart from people, all the villagers must be hiding indoors. Maybe they are all in the graveyard.
Overall a reasonably short ridge walk but one I would fully recommend, fantastic views and good fun.

Time: 2 hours 15min.
Ascent: 350m
Distance: 7.6k