Hill: Wedder Law and Gana Hill
Category: Graham/Donald
Height:
Today’s outing was leading a walk for Kilmarnock Ramblers over some Southern Lowther hills. We bagged two categorised hills, Wedder Law and Gana Hill.
I have reported on this route before so just a brief review and some nice snaps.
The walk started from Durisdeer village where we headed up an estate track with an initial 300m steep ascent to Black Shoulder (468m), certainly got the breathing going, before descending (the sting in the tail) and re-ascending via the same track to Wedder Law (672m).
We then descended about 150m before crossing rough moorland and then followed the fence to Gana Hill (688m). It was a strong cold wind but the views were tremendous.
From the Solway across the the Lake District. Criffel; Cairnsmore of Fleet & Carsphairn; The Merrick; Arran through the gap and the Wanlockhead Lowthers just super.
The colours of the local hills just reminders of the beautiful country we live in.
Next we followed another estate track over to Garroch Fell (606m) the biggest cairn of the day.
Visibility was good so now the hardest part of the day for some. We descended contouring at times across the steep stony and heather flanks of Garroch Fell to join up with the estate track to take us back to the start. Saved us a mile or so of estate track.
An excellent walk, great views and good company.

Wildlife: Raven; Red Kite; Buzzard; Meadow Pipit; Red Grouse; Red legged Partridge.
Time: 5.47
Ascent: 893m
Distance: 16.4km

Gana Hill from Durisdeer

Hill: Wedder Law, Gana Hill.
Category: Graham, Donald, 
Height:n/a
My route today was Gana Hill beginning from Durisdeer and taking in Wedder Law. 

Wedder track on left and return track through Glenaggart centre

A simple case of following the estate track all the way to Wedder Law, a constant climb but I have covered this walk before on the blog so rather than bore you I will cover only the Gana Law section. Except to say that again the views were great and the green rolling hills looked magnificent. Red Kites in abundance.

Red Kite

Thankfully the winds were not nearly as bad as forecast and only a couple of very light showers, so far so good.

Gana Hill from Wedder Law

Visibility was very good and from Wedder summit Gana Hill can be clearly seen.
The map suggested following the fence down but I can see a whole lot of peat hags so instead I headed slightly west across the moor before heading towards the grouse gun butts.
Once over these and onto the higher ground I headed towards the next fence line. Boggy in places but easily bypassed I followed a faint track on the left of the fence up to Gana Hill. You don’t see the main cairn until you finally crest the hill (there is a smaller one) but at least there is one, unlike Wedder Law.

Daer reservoir from Gana, meadow pipit photo bombing

The views are super, ignore the turbines. To the north Daer reservoir is shimmering and looking back over Wedder the Lowther radar stuff stand out. Behind me Earncraig & Queensberry which looks ominous as a dark cloud puts it in shadow, two hills for another day to complete this area.
Now I head towards Garroch Fell initially going towards the small cairn when I come across another estate path. If you want off the hard pack then the moorland is easier on your feet. 

Gana Hill from Garroch Fell

Ironically Garroch Fell is the lowest of these three hills but has by far the biggest cairn.
I rejoined the estate track circling around Garroch Fell but next time I will consider going cross country heading for the two sheepfolds before rejoining the track.

Remote track

There is a real feeling of isolation as you are boxed in by the hills and the unpopulated sheep pastures. Close calls with both a kestrel and a buzzard. 

Brief blue sky in the rolling hills

Water levels are high as they course down from the hills with a few of the burn crossings requiring at least one foot full in the water.

Waiting for the partridge shooting season will it survive?

Finally the track reaches the estate bothy before heading down through the tranquil Jock’s Cleuch where I met a birdwatcher, the only person spotted today. This area, Glentaggart is where the partridge shoot takes place.
Wildlife: Red legged partridge, Red grouse, Raven, Red Kite, Buzzard, Kestrel, Meadow pipit, 
Time: 4.25
Ascent: 2689ft 
Distance: 11.77m 

Wedder Law Durisdeer

Wedder Law Hill of the Lamb
Donald 672m
I was intending to go on a group walk today but I had a horrendous sleep, unusual for me, and got up feeling rather washed out. Rather than potentially hinder the group I decided on a solo trip to Durisdeer and go up the Donald, Wedder Hill.
I knew when I started that this was going to be hard going and it was, biorhythms or what but my body was not really up for this walk.

The Kirk is creepy enough

BUT, in saying that, I really enjoyed the trip, despite the sweat and aching calves.
I parked at the Kirk, walked back down the road until the last house then turned left and followed the track heading to Glenaggart until you cross a burn.

Scarred hillside

There is an obvious estate track scarring the hill which I doubt got local planning consent. However, I knew that I was following this all the way to Wedder hill so should not complain too much.
The track twists and winds its way upwards, constantly and unrelentingly climbing for just over an hour. I was feeling it and took frequent advantage of the views to give myself an excuse to take small breathers.

Zoomed Drumlanrig Castle

The skies were blue and the surrounding hills just majestic in this light. Down in the lowlands fog patches had not yet cleared, Drumlanrig castle can be seen partially hidden in the gloom.
To my left the top of Black Hill appears and further behind the Lowther hills with the radar ball standing out against a blue sky instead of last weeks grey.

Golf ball on Lowther Hill

Talking of last week I was surprised at how many partridges survived last weeks shoot, they were popping up everywhere today, particularly on the lower slopes. The scavengers were also flying; ravens, red kites & buzzards but not in the numbers of last week.

Straightforward track to follow

The track winds past some great named hills: Whiteside shoulder; Farthing Rig; Crookedside Hass; Blackgrain shoulder; Smuring hags; Brown Dodd, there must be great stories about these names. 
It has taken me just over the hour and I am flanking Scawd Law with the track to Wedder hill straight ahead.

Wedder Hill view before descent

 However the hard work is not over, there is a descent of around 300ft with a further 500ft of ascent to reach the fenceline on top of Wedder Hill. The top is on the left of the fence, just an open plateau, no cairn, a few iron posts, so 10 minutes tramping about through the moss covered all of these to ensure top covered.

Wind turbines en masse

 The huge wind farm down in Clydesdale is just another example of politicians destroying our landscape. Still, try your best to ignore it and take in the beautiful unspoilt areas.

Weather front coming my way

The weather had changed, now a bitter northerly wind, with winter wind fronts blowing through but luckily none descended on me.
Too cold to have lunch here so now a leisurely stroll back the same track taking in the views, map out to check future walks. Not one soul to talk to but I did think I spotted someone on top of Ballencleugh Law.

Patchwork grouse moor hills

Out of the wind I had my roll in a stunning spot looking up Glenaggart to the bothy at Kettleton Byre. Across the way the huge gully between Nether hill and Rottencraig head rather prominent along with the many partridge breeding pens and feeding areas, really tame birds bred for the slaughter.

Partridge feeding pods all around

A final stroll back down to the car where I was happy making solo trip that was just enough today. After changing I popped into the Kirk and visited the Queensberry marbles.

Queensberry Marbles

I wonder how many walkers have visited Durisdeer and never popped in, missing out big time. What a stunning place and what history the small area has.


Ascent: 2270ft (692m)
Time: 3.33
Distance: 7.27m (11.7km)