Allermuir & Caerketton Pentland Hills

Allermuir Hill from Caerketton

My principal objective today was Allermuir Hill (493m) which also included 3 other tops, a fine up and down walk. I set out from the Harlaw carpark which meant firstly traversing Harbour Hill, Capelaw Hill, then Allermuir and onwards to Caerketton. I returned by the same route. There is a fair old descent and ascent between each hill so a bit of a blowout for heart and lungs.

Arthurs Seat from Caerketton

The BBC weather app showed blue skies and sunshine. As it turned out the outward leg had an autumn squall, very high winds and very cold heavy rain. Luckily it was a SSE wind so it was at my back throughout. 

Capelaw Hill not sure what this represents

There were surprisingly a few other walkers around presumably also looking to take advantage of the good weather!!

From Harlaw across the fields to Harbour Hill

By the time I turned the rain had gone off but the strong wind remained. 
As always great views all around particularly over Edinburgh & the Lothians plus across to Fife, . Never a bad walk to do so get out and enjoy it. 

Allermuir trig looking over the southerly range Scald Law etc

The walk was 8.67 miles but felt longer as there was almost 1700 feet of ascent and took me 3 and a half hours. There is a shorter walk starting from the ski centre.

New Forth Bridges in the distance

West Lothian

Ord Ban Aviemore

99.9% of the people who visit Loch an Eilein park their cars, walk around the loch and depart. It is a loch of repute and history but to be honest I always find the walk a bit too sedate and even boring. These visitors are oblivious of the fact that there is an easy peasy hill walk right beside them with outstanding views.

The gate in the deer fence

We walked in from our cottage in Aviemore but most people will drive and pay the £2 parking fee, no avoidance there is a manned booth. On the walk in the hill is in good view but its flanks appear tree covered with no obvious view of the summit.
From the car park the hard bit is finding the way over the deer fence. The Walkhighlands site has a walk report showing a large stile over the fence. Up and down we walked, no sign. Spoke to the car park attendant who said just go through the gate behind the ruined bothy!!

The faint trail

Once through the gate turn immediately left and follow the very faint track that zigzags up through the trees and ferns. The sun was out with plenty of butterflies sunning away and lots of other beasties buzzing about.

Mrs B zigzagging

The path is faint and narrow but in reasonable condition. In one muddy pool deer hoofprints were clear but we did not see any, plenty of cover for daytime hiding. Keep looking back as great views of the Cairngorm area.

Scrambling rocks looming

Once you break the tree cover there is a minor piece of easy rock scrambling, kids would love it. Now open skies, the flattish area covered in heather and new trees and a track leading to a trig point.

Trig in sight

When reached, about 50 minutes as Mrs B with me, the 360 degree views are quite astounding. Pitlochry is clearly seen below to the north. To the East the Cairngorm massif and the sky lifts.

Looking south the rolling hills of the Dalwhinnie area are also clearly identifiable. Turn a little and looking now towards Kingussie I am sure I am looking at the Glencoe peaks but the biggest one could even be Ben Nevis. Lastly to the west is Geal Charn Mor, a Corbett in a recent blog. For such little effort quite simply outstanding views and it is a tickbox as it is a Marilyn category hill.

Aviemore below

However there were lots of big flying things annoying us so down we went retracing our steps. We were fine but friends I told this about went up about two weeks later and between the 15 of them they found 25 clegg bites!! Admittedly they did not descend by the same route, ended up going through thick bracken and ferns and had to climb the deer fence, not advised.

When we reached the bottom we treated ourselves to an ice cream in the tourist shop. We also decided to finish with the hours walk around the loch. As said before minimal birdlife in the trees and next no birds on the water. If you want a bland forest walk then go for it.

Loch an Eilein

Facts: 10.4 mile walk with 857 ft of ascent and a 5 hour day out. Official height of Ord Ban 428 metres.
A walk back to Aviemore and a couple of pints of real ale sitting outside the superb Old Bridge Inn completed a fine day.

PS:Scotland are playing Malta tonight, surely not a downer to the day!

Deuchary Hill Dunkeld

My expectations were that this was going to be a straightforward smallish hill with attitude and good views. It was, but it turned out to be a lot more adventurous than my expectations, all my fault of course.
I am using the 'The Hughs' book as this years walking guide and too be fair I have discovered some hills and landscapes that I would have passed by.

From my holiday spot in Pitlochry I drove the short distance to the starting point at the Cally carpark Dunkeld. However, I was to follow the A923 which had a road closed sign just by Dunkeld, diversions in progress and two cars three point turning as I arrived at the turn. Not knowing how far up this road the carpark was I was either brave or foolish, but went through the closed signs and found the car park only about 100 metres ahead, good.
A very bumpy quarter of a mile drive, got parked, only car in situ, got gear together and wandered down to signposts which as you can see there are a few paths around here.

Onwards up the Mill Dam track I went, in good fettle, taking in the changing Autumn colours of the countryside. The guide told me that at Glack kennels go through a metal gate. I reached a big metal gate, sign Glack kennels alongside attached to the fence, so through I went. Yes you have guessed. After a mile and more of steady climbing on a newly laid forest track I was doubting myself. 

Wrong track

It just did not seem right. I had not brought an OS map as I thought it would be straightforward and the book had a small map, big mistake. Luckily the phone had a 4g signal in the middle of a forest, surprising as it doesn't have one in Pitlochry!! Google maps confirmed I was in the wrong place although a faint track might have joined up. Not taking the risk as this was a newly laid forest track so back I went.

At the junction, guess what, a yellow marker sign pointing to the right, twat.
Onwards I went hearing dogs barking in the distance, the kennels? The track is good and I went by Upper Hatton and entered an open area. On my left sheep were being ushered in to a field higher up than I. Watching the sheep I then heard my arch nemesis, coos, bellowing behind me. Looking back a herd of black cows with young were moving at pace down the path I was on. Where had they come from? I walked faster heading towards the building I assumed was the kennels. Safety was reached without a coo attack and guess what a big metal gate!!

Track up the side of Mill Dam

Shortly after I reached Mill Dam and then as guided followed the track turning immediately right following the upper path to Loch Ordie. Fully laden Rowan trees all the way up.

Turn Right

You get some water views of the loch, but no fisherman or boats, and a pleasant, sometimes boggy, path up to a ruined bridge where you then take the immediate right fork.

Again the path has some boggy sections as it climbs gently upwards. I have a hill in my view which I mistakenly think is the objective, not for the last time on this walk. On the slopes I spot a deer in the ferns apparently undisturbed by the shooting on our right, grouse shooting I presume with double shots each time.

Easy to miss turn left

This path is actually a route heading for Loch Ordie, Deuchary hill seems to be a by product as you could easily walk by the almost hidden exit from the track taking you up the hill. It seems just a break in the undergrowth, no sign.
Now, there is a faint trail to follow and a short but pretty steep section, my heart was pounding, lost fitness. The track breaks out into a picturesque clearing and I look to my right at the climb ahead. Wrong again as I soon spot that the track actually goes towards the hill on my left. As I plod upwards, head down, sweat dripping, my peripheral vision catches some deer disappearing over a top, I presume I had disturbed them.

Loch Ordie below

The wind was now pretty strong and cold so outer layer jacket on. I reached the summit and the trig, although it was a grey cloudy day the views are still worth it, albeit not as far and wide as expected. Loch Ordie shows well along with a large white country estate mansion, rich people live down there.

Fallow deer stags

I move the short distance from the trig to the sharks fin of rock which is the true summit when I get my reward for my effort. Two stags are sitting just below the summit, sheltering from the wind. One of them had an unusual coat with a line down its centre and I was unsure about the shape of their antlers. Later research informed me that they are Fallow deer which was a first for me. I watched them for 5 minutes or so before the cold wind decided I was off the top but this is what the effort was worth.

Lochan na Beinne and River Tummel towards Pitlochry

On the way down I spooked a partridge which decided to run down the path in front of me, constantly stopping and looking back, turn into the ferns I thought. On the hill to my left two figures with dogs appeared on the horizon, obviously part of the shooting party, grouse season I presume.

View towards Dunkeld on descent

Back at the kennels I decided to take the cowards approach and avoid the field of cows so followed an alternative track, parallel I thought, towards the Loch of Craiglush. As the trail continued to head in the opposite direction from my destination I got a sense of deja vu from the start of the walk. This time 4g indicated a dead end path. Dilemna I set myself a target of walking a further 1.5 miles and if I had not reached a sign/water/road I would turn back and face the coos. Almost to the mark I saw water and descended to the loch and then walked the road back to the carpark.
There was meant to be a forest trail back to the carpark from the Loch of the Lowes but I did not see it.
Two diversions meant a round trip of 11.97 miles instead of the expected 7-8. Time was 4 hours 44 min. An ascent 1889 ft but all in all a good trek and another 'Hugh' achieved.

Lonely car park

Definitely time for a beer.

Geal-Charn Mor (big white hill) Aviemore

It was a family holiday week in Aviemore but I also wanted a morning to myself and to get in a new hill. A study of the map made it a easy selection of Geal-Charn Mor (big white hill), a Corbett, straightforward route and just outside the town, perfectos.

The weather was cooler than late, cloudy with rain forecast for early afternoon but hopefully I would be off the hill by then.
I had about a 5 mile cycle from our holiday lodge to the start of the walk at Lynwilg Farm, which is just off the A9. You can go further up to another parking area just outside of the scripture union outdoor centre. Do not enter their premises. There is a turning point/small parking area just at the gate which is the start of the Burma road.

Young Pheasants

However, I wanted the longer walk and chained up the bike at the farm. Soon I spotted some young pheasant in the undergrowth and then on the road. Turned out to be a pheasant breeding field with hundreds of them moving around freely.

Small parking area

Through the gate and the climbing starts but with a nice surprise. A wooden structure stuffed full of home baking and an honesty box. Homemade millionaires shortbread, huge and for a quid, my sugar hit for the top of the hill.
The initial stretch is a well worn trail used by the estate vehicles as well, initially climbing through some woods but it is not long until you break out of the treeline.

Yummy surprise

The purple heather is showing well and on the left there are excellent views of Creag Ghleannain which at almost 600 metres is a decent outing on its own and may well offer better views than my destination.
The track meanders gently ever on and upwards. Silence reigns as apart from the odd wood pigeon and meadow pipits there is strangely little other birdlife to be seen or heard. Odd considering there is minimal human activity. But plenty of sheep for company and the flowering purple heather a contrast to the green slopes.

Just after tree line

As it was a last minute choice I had no OS map with me just the SMC Corbett guide description. It's walk description describes coming across a memorial at a watershed then heading across a broad ridge to the summit. 

A stone cairn just ahead

I was now two miles into the walk and as far as I could see no memorial and no trig to be seen on any hills to my left. After around the 2.5 mile point I had crossed over the only burn I was aware of and I could still not see anything up the track. Was this the watershed? I decided to go another half mile then rethink and just as I neared that mark a stone cairn became obvious further up the hill and beside the track. When I reached it there was actually another stone cairn plus the aforementioned memorial which is dedicated to a local gamekeeper.

2 stone cairns plus memorial

I followed the track at the first cairn, which was in good condition, onward up the ridge and I spot my first mountain hare, life at last, closely followed by another 3 hares. I am then surprised to come across a newly constructed fence which had a padlocked gate blocking the path but it had a stile built to the left-hand side for walkers to cross it. Strange what is this about? After crossing I soon spot the trig and follow the track to the summit.

Barren track to summit

The wind is blowing a hoolie and is cold, if I had brought gloves I would have been tempted to put them on, it is July!! I wander around the broad summit taking in the views which despite the weather were still rewarding apart from the new landrover tracks reaching far and wide, planning permission I doubt it.

Geal-charn Mor summit

The rain was already sweeping from the SW hiding the Cairngorms for periods but I was untouched. 
Too cold to hang about I followed my ascent route. I spot a tractor in the distance, which must have came up the Burma Rd behind me, heading into the wilderness. This was the only human spotted all day until back down on the level. Also still minimal birdlife and no raptors, no ravens or crows, except one eagle seen through the binos away in the distance. I had spotted predator traps on beams across the burn so has this estate been killing everything? It looked grouse country but no sign or sound of them either.

Nice views on descent

The views heading down were excellent, there is no such thing as a bad hill. 
On my descent I realised that as I had not hung about on the summit I had not eaten so the shortbread was still in my rucksack, it was superb home baking. Sadly I had no more change or I would have stopped again and taken some home.
My legs were stiff from yesterday's exertions so along with today's activity the thighs and calves were burning on the cycle ride back.
It was a good outing for me, a 10 mile bike ride plus the walk of 8.16 miles, longer than I expected. I climbed almost 600 metres and it took me about 3 hours in total. I was not rushing as I like to spend time taking in the flora, fauna and views so you could knock half an hour off that for faster walkers.

Scald Law East & West Kip

A pleasant day for another walk in the Pentlands and I'm excited to include a couple of hills, East and West Kip, that are new to me. I have been up Scald Law before but I include it again today to make it a better ridge walk and give me a better workout.
The guides normally bring you up from the Penicuik side but I will be coming from Currie and returning via Balerno to make my circular walk.

Green Cleugh

I take my normal route via Harlaw reservoir heading towards Black Springs and then following the track around Black Hill. Views are excellent including the flat top of West Kip, peeking through the gap. The descent takes you back down into an old drover's pass, Green Cleugh, which is stunning today. I catch a buzzard flying the ridge to my right but more interesting is the very fast raptor flying low just below the ridgeline to my left, trying to flush birds from the heather and scrub. Big, fast with quite pointed wings this looks like a possible Harrier to me but not certain. It swiftly goes back and forth repeating its glide four times before swiftly heading for some trees on Scald Law.

Summit Scald Law, Carnethy behind

A short steep climb up to the ridge which splits Scald Law and Carnethy Hill. I have not climbed a hill since Goatfell as the weather has been so poor but still surprised that breathing is laboured. Up the zig zag hill to Scald Law, the Pentlands highest hill at 579 metres, topping its neighbour Carnethy by a whopping 3 metres. 2nd wind breathing now sorted out.

East & West Kip

There is a trig point here to stop and take in the views and get a good look to the west at today's principal objective the 2 Kips. The spans of the new Forth road bridge can be clearly seen. Just as expected for this year the cold northerly wind is blowing strongly and glad I was not wearing shorts.

Scald Law from East Kip

The entire Pentland ridge is a roller coaster walk so down I wander and climb up the slopes of East Kip. Being so close to Edinburgh these hills are well walked so there is a well worn trail. The views are good and a raven keeps me company, maybe hoping I will throw it some food but none to hand. 

Grouse moor

The wind seems to be even stronger so a brief look around at the nice farmland and moor scenes. The patchwork quilt of Hare hill across the way indicates a grouse moor that has been scorched to create new heather growth. I look back and see a hill runner on top of Scald Law running the track to South Black Hill. Once maybe but too old for that now.

East Kip & Scald Law from West Kip

Up and down and reach the top of West Kip. It is described as the narrowest top on this ridge but it is fine. Looking back I see a runner coming down the flanks of Scald Law, looks like a different person.
I descend and take the trail heading back to Balerno. At first this is a wide expanse of open moorland. Ravens and crows are walking the heather and scrub looking for nests to raid. A call of a raptor and a merlin flies low clearly carrying a bird in its talons. The runner does not pass me so I presume there was a return run back along the ridge.

Carnethy, Scald Law, East & West Kip

Looking back there are excellent views of the hills I have just tramped. To my left I can see people on the ridge of East Cairn Hill, be doing that soon.
As you get close to Balerno you can head back towards Harlaw reservoir but I elect to go to Balerno and walk back to Currie alongside the Water of Leith.
Checked the GPS and exactly 12 miles walked with 1550 feet of elevation so a reasonable workout. Sadly driving home tonight so no beer to look forward to, sad.