Two Border Donalds and a lot of Turbines.....Hudderstone & Hillshaw Head

Wallk: Hudderstone & Hillshaw Head

Category: Donald(s)

Height: n/a.

I wanted to get Hudderstone off my to-do list and the weather looked favourable. Because of it’s location it is normally completed as a one off or part of a big Culter Fell circuit. However, I also had Hillshaw Head to cover and again it would be awkward having to tick that as a solo hill.

Looking at the map the walking between Hudderstone and Hillshaw was about an hour but more importantly it remained at a high level. Next step was Google maps which initially threw me a curved ball, it looked like the huge Clydesdale wind turbine scheme had encroached up to this level. Turn the negative into a positive, there would at least be hard packed road rather than moor to speed up progress.

Turn left at bridge to start, descent track on hill in middle

Decision made to do Hudderstone and decide after that.

Arrived at the farm to find they had closed the gates to traffic going up to where I was going to start. They weren’t stopping walkers so parked up here and it just added a couple of miles to the overall trip.

I noticed 4 cars at the other side of the V junction some sort of meet up?

I headed through the farm with a ‘beware of the dogs sign, but thankfully no noise as sheepdogs can be vicious beasts.

Plenty of sheep and young lambs in the fields, rural farmland scene.

I found my crossing and headed up grassy slopes heading to Ward Law. Wow, after my big hill a couple of days ago the calve burn was intense until I got to the top.

From Ward Law view to Hillshaw turbines in the distance

Thankfully it eased off as I followed an ATV track just below ward Law and over to Woodycleugh Dod, I love these names.

Good views from up here on my left was Culter Fell. Looking right Tinto. Behind the Pentlands as well as many beautiful rolling green hills, delightful walking.

Woodycleugh ahead, Hudderstone behind it

Down and then up and over some humps Hudderstone is now in view. A decent 100m descent and reascent of 150m but on good ground. At a junction just follow the fence upwards and turn right with it. Hudderstone doers not even have a couple of stones to mark its summit but the highest point is obvious.

Hudderstone summit

I had made good time so Hillshaw was on, Turbine city ahead. I crossed the moss soaked moor for a bit before joining the turbine road, descending about 100m. This road helped me make good time but it was sore underfoot and I was glad when I re-joined the fence to clamber up over the moor to Hillshaw Head summit, which is marked by some old fence poles, the highest point today at 652m. 

Mountain hare trying to hide at the fence

A couple of mountain hares so not just sheep around. Not even any turbine maintenance crew around very surprising.

Hillshaw top, Culter Fell on left and Gathersnow on right

It was now very windy and some of the clouds were rain threatening so no hanging about. I spotted a couple coming off Gathersnow but quite far away.

Upper Cowgill reservoir

Looking down to the Upper Cowgill reservoir the lack of water is evidence of the dry spell we have had since Covid began. 

The only other human contact was another couple coming from Hudderstone but they were off on the moor, waves of recognition was as close as it got.

Return route to Hudderstone

Back the same way to Hudderstone where from the top I noticed an ATV track going clockwise to some trees over the ridge of Cowgill Rig so took the chance and went with it to make it more of a circular route.

Descent over Cowgill Rig

As I descended and looked across, doubts set in, I was going further and further away from my out route but checked the map and yes it did turn.

Good views of Tinto on the descent

This now became an estate track which led me back down to the start of the hill ascent then back through the silent farm to the car, still no dogs, or people, all very quiet for a working farm.

Picturesque finish

So much for a quite walking place. Through the trees I could see car after car parked up and I counted 33 of them. Most of the occupants must have headed up Culter Fell. For outdoor people these lockdown restrictions appear well and truly over.

Another good leg and lung stretcher, a high level walk in glorious scenery, turbines excepted. Lots of up and downs to keep me interested. Will be returning soon as still got Chapelgill to complete this set.

Wildlife: Grey Wagtail (1^st this year I think); Pied Wagtail; House Martin; Buzzard; Raven; Curlew; Skylark; Pheasant; Meadow Pipit; Oystercatcher; Mountain Hare; Stonechat; Small Heath.

Time: 4.29

Ascent: 801m

Distance: 19.8k

The big boys are back in town.....Beinn An Lochain

Hill: Beinn an Lochain

Category: Corbett

Height: 901m

It has been a mixed weather week with some violent thunderstorms around. Hopefully my weather research should see this walk completed in good weather.

It was time to get the legs and lungs into another gear and add another Corbett to the list. I have plans for some multiple hills hopefully from next month so walking fitness has to improve.

Start follow path and turn left at the trees

It was a lovely still morning and a good scenic drive to the start.

The parking area only had one other car but by the time we finished it was full.

The breeze was welcome at the start but shoved a light jacket in rucksack just in case it was colder up top.

Not the top

Thankfully with minimal rain the burn was an easy crossing but still had to stand on slabs under running water, could be more interesting at other times.

There is a track to follow right from the start. Initially heading to the trees before curving back and some light scrambling required.

The Cobbler from the ascent

There are good bits of easy scrambling for about two thirds of the way as the track meanders upwards. This is a true peaked mountain so you are climbing constantly from the start without let up.

The Brack & Donich

The views of the Arrochar alps are top drawer already. Every twist and turn of the track brings a different perspective so no hardship to stop and look around. But surprisingly I was feeling really good, COVID exercise obviously working.

Nope that's not the top either

Around the two thirds mark a young guy was coming down, sadly he had took a panic attack with some of the very steep drops but his pal had gone on.

Soon after leaving him we pass the exposed area and the top starts to show itself looking imposing and very steep, still work to do.

First view of imposing top

After another workout you reach a slight plateau and the final section towers above. If you were feeling tired it would look a proper challenge. But no negative thoughts here, I was feeling good so bring it on.

Not so large cairn, lunch at second top behind

Finally and quite surprisingly you reach a small pile of rocks, it is difficult to describe it as a cairn but it is the top.

Panorama looking north

However, on a day like this you cannot adequately describe the stunning views that greet your arrival at the summit, start with breath-taking. Hot as it was the unseasonal coolness of clear air gave a clarity normally only seen in Winter but soak it in.

Obviously all the local alps are showing off. Arran, Jura and Mull far away. Cruachan range and Tyndrum hills. Is the big one behind Ben Nevis, possibly? Crianlarich range including Ben More and many, many others. What a spot for lunch, I can think of much worse.

Descent shows the bulges that hide the top when ascending

As always when you have done some scrambling on the way up the descent is more awkward and care was required, a few backside slides but down safely we got.

Loch Restil & Beinn Ime

A cracking hill walk, views to die for, the big hills are back and I for one am delighted.

Need to keep working on the fitness but not tonight. Sunshine so beer in the garden. Cheers.

Wildlife: Meadow Pipit; Raven

Time: 4.36

Ascent: 754m

Distance: 6.7km

Life or death on Bogrie Hill

Hill: Bogrie Hill

Category: Sub2k

Height: 432m

Another Covid, outing picked for ease and hopefully isolation, a dead easy little hill with the bonus of excellent views.

I am getting well used to these minor roads in the middle of nowhere but a delightful drive so long as you do not meet something coming the other way, few passing places.

I parked up just after a cattle grid beside an obvious ATV track going up the hill before the normal start at Shillingland.

Camera has flattened the view from the start

To one side the ferns were thick and tall, not for me, so I wandered up through some open sheep fields. Thankfully the stone dykes were in disrepair so no climbing involved.

I noticed there were plenty of coo pats, most old but some looked fresh so the ascent involved keeping a lookout in case there were coos and calves around. Closely looking into the deep ferns, from previous experience a good hiding ambush spot for cattle.

Loch Urr and building clouds

I was still breathing deeply, not yet got my full walking fitness yet. Plenty of bike and jogging fitness but the hills are different.

Still I followed the ATV track to where it levels out at the top of the hill, near the trig, when I had the life or death incident. I could see the leg of a sheep swaying gently in the heather just off track, a dead one should be stiff so intrigued I went over. It was alive and on its back with its head in a separate hole. The kicking legs trying to do me in as I helped it suggested it still had strength. 

Rescue Sheep

After a couple of attempts I managed to get it out of the hollow. It wouldn’t stand up and had a nasty weal on its back with its struggles.

Trig on the horizon

The trig was not far away so I headed to it and had a look around. Surprisingly good views but it is a stand alone hill. 

Cairnsmore of Fleet in distance

It was hazy but could still see Cairnsmore of Fleet and the Solway. Looking over Loch Urr and the Wether Hill wind farm in the distance stands Cairnsmore of Carsphairn. I suspect Cairnsmore of Dee is also in view but cannot confirm for sure.

Looking back it had not moved and seemed to be more on its side but nothing else I can do.

Spotted the car homeward bound

Headed back down the same way and surprised to see a couple walking up. A brief social distance chat and back down to the car.

A short but enjoyable walk, another tick and great views on a nice day.

Wildlife: Buzzard; Wheatear; Skylark; Vole.

Time: 1.01

Ascent: 221m

Distance: 3.5k

Surprisingly excellent views from turbine central....Fell Hill

Hill: Fell Hill

Category: Sub2k

Height: 417m

With the Covid restrictions easing but still in place I was looking for risk free hills so I decided to go for an easy non risk option up today’s newbie, Fell Hill. The standard route is a fairly straightforward moorland yomp but the few reports I read included cattle en route and at this time of the year a herd of coos are best avoided if possible.

From the start, yip heading up to those turbines

I knew that the summit was now at the top of a wind farm, sadly seen a few like that recently, so there was the option of trudging up the wind farm hard packed road.

However, when looking at the OS map and Google Earth there seemed a better route by taking the forest track to Loch Howie then onward passing Loch Skae. From here Google Earth showed the landscape deforested so I could head directly to the trig or take a slightly shorter route onto the road. An almost risk free route and apart from the odd dog walker should be people free.

As it turned it out the planning was perfect.

Track leading to loch Howie

There are two signposted tracks going to Loch Howie and I stopped at the 2^nd and parked opposite my walk start at another signposted walk, room for 2 cars. The other side was no parking ongoing forestry work.

A locked barrier to duck under then a pleasant forest walk with birds singing all around which soon brought me to Loch Howie. 

Loch Howie

Nice water but these angling boats have not been used for some time, take a lot of bailing out.

Need a bucket to get rid of that water

A slightly longer track section before reaching the deforested opening. Luckily the working track had been extended further lessening the debris crossing. The deforested area crossing was actually straight forward with lots of small hard packed tracks to aid walking.

Bonus track went further than I thought

Broke through this area and headed up the moor to the first turbine. An unexpected obstacle, a barbed wire fence. Shaky and loose not worth the risk climbing here so I wandered up the wire and found a spot where I could lower the barbs and leg over without damage.

Twin peaks

I was soon on a turbine track but got to do some hillwalking so hopped onto the moor again heading to a small cairn then onward to the top where there is a trig and a surprisingly large cairn.

Looking south to the normal walk in route

The views were surprisingly good. The hill stands alone and although not big its position gives excellent views south to the Solway (probably Lake District hills behind) and over to the Galloway ones from the other day. Looking east the radar ball on Lowther Hill was shining in the sunlight. Carsphairn, Glen Afton hills etc. 

My walk in and the two lochs

So all round delighted with this little outing. Plenty of dried coo pats around the turbines so the beasties get to roam here but not today.

On the way back I had a look at Loch Skae, this is the proper fishing water, more and better boats. A private club but all locked up. I wonder if it is because no-one could travel less than 5 miles to get here, surely not?

Better boats, pontoon etc this is the proper fishing water

On the descent the weather which had been threatening brightened up so a pleasant stroll back to the car. Spotted movement quartering the deforested area, delighted a Red Kite.

Red Kite

Objective achieved, a no risk outing to a new hill and didn’t see another person. Probably start on some bigger ones now.

Wildlife: Red Kite; Buzzard; Great tit; Long tailed tit; Blue tit; Wren; Chaffinch; Mistle Thrush; Skylark; Meadow pipit; Red Admiral; Orange Tip; Large White; Small Heath, few fat voles; Stoat, with something in its mouth but couldn’t get a good view.

Time: 2.22

Ascent: 238m

Distance: 9.5k

A Galloway masochists idea of heaven. Fell of Fleet

Hill: Fell of Fleet

Category: Sub2k

Height: 470m

This was to be my 113th sub2k so as anyone knows, anything with the number 13 needs to be carefully thought about, not that I am superstitious.

Still in easing Covid restrictions so once again I picked a hill that I was unlikely to see anyone on, this was a no brainier as if you had any brain you would not be going near this one. Still apart from being stupid my excuse was picking a hill I had not climbed before within reasonable travelling.

Fell of Fleet fitted the bill but I knew from the very few route reports this was to be a challenging short day out.

Clatteringshaws Dam at the start

So, for anybody reading this and considering it don’t unless you want to tick a box. If still determined/stupid take the shorter route up and come back down the same way. If still daft enough to make a circular route I will provide a few tips later.

That's it ahead looks a fair way away

There are ongoing forestry operations so there is a hard packed track from the start near the dam. You could drive a lot further but If the gate was closed on your return?

Roughly 30 mins walk brings you to a junction where you continue straight on for another half an hour. 

Do not stand on the logs, Loch Grannoch behind

My circular descent brought me back to here. At least the views have opened up with Loch Grannoch looking good for fishing but I doubt it gets fished much at all.

I had a route prepared but this went to pot as soon as I left this road. I expected to find a track but it was deforested and immediately became a case of small steps, trying hard to avoid the many pitfalls. Not a day to call the rescue people, even worse on the descent.

Ascent route

Painfully slow going, not physically tiring just full on concentration for about 40 minutes until I reached a plateau. Cut down tree debris, big hidden holes, rotting timber, sphagnum moss deep and soft, you get the picture not easy walking. 

Plateau

Thought the top would be easier, it was marginally, but this was good old Galloway tussock terrain. Still high potential for a twisted ankle or worse.

I had short cut my planned route and headed directly to the cairn. My one good decision of the day about 2 hours to the top.

Summit to right of trees

A red grouse burst out of the undergrowth playing injured so I knew what was coming. About 6 fledglings left the cover one after the other half flying/walking after their mother. I quickly left them in peace but a magical moment.

In fairness the views were good in all directions the sun glinting off the water of the Solway Firth.

Cairn with Cairnsmore of Fleet behind

My first ADRC walk was Cairnsmore of Fleet, which I was looking at as I ate lunch. At the time I thought it was a challenging terrain walk but compared to this one it’s terrain was a bowling green.

Well that uphill was breeze compared to the descent.

I decide to do a circular route heading roughly over towards Shaw Hill a big mistake. The descent was skirting the tree line but the hidden holes were deeper and more frequent really hard walking.

Descent I have to get to the loch

I reached the steep section and could see that I had no option other than to head for newly planted trees and go through them. I could also see a short firebreak after about a third so aimed that direction.

Wow, when I hit the trees they were so closely planted I was forced to barge through them. Additionally they were planted on a deforested section so it was a walking nightmare. Fully enclosed I pushed, fell, cursed, sweated until I reached the opening. So much for a hazard free outing.

I followed the break which was still tough walking and to really hit you in the gut the trees closed in again forcing one last fight to get to the trail. I don’t think I have had a worse descent in my life.

Looking back from the track

Looking back at the hill if I had kept going for about 200 metres there was a deforested area which would have been easier, hindsight!

The walk back along the hard trail was much longer than I expected about 90 minutes but significant as morale was low.

Possible Sandy carpet moth

My attention was caught by a large rising bird followed by a second. Circling rising higher into the sky. Large feathered upright wings obvious, could they be part of the South of Scotland eagle release scheme? Never mind what a sight.

The binoculars to my eyes then off to my right a sound I thought I would not hear this year. A cuckoo began calling, was I hallucinating, no off it went again, this finish was the highlight of my day.

As I neared the car I felt a pain on my left leg and looking down two huge lacerations weeping blood, damage from fighting my way through that enclosed tree plantation, the Adrenalin must have kept me from feeling it earlier.

Common Heath moth

So if you have to go, when descending stick to the treeline there is a firebreak seen from below. Or keep walking east as described above.

Or from the top head over Gormal Hill to a big cairn/trig. from there a short descent over deforested ground would save at least 30 minutes.

if you don’t want to tick this box there are plenty of good views elsewhere.

I ticked the box but won’t be doing it again lol.

Wildlife: Chaffinch; Meadow Pipit; Red Kite; Robin; Wren; Red Grouse + chicks; Cuckoo.

Time: 3.53

Ascent: 473m

Distance: 15.9k

It's great to be back a ramble up Hods Hill

Hill: Hods Hill

Category: Sub2k

Height: 485m

It’s been just a few but long months off the hills during lockdown and it sure is great to be back. The hills are once again alive to the sound of Des huffing, puffing and snorting his way up the slopes. Still it was worth it.

Even with the restrictions being eased I was going to walk solo and did some research to really focus in on this one.

1. It had to be a new hill so go for a sub2k.
2. It had to be remote so I could avoid people.
3. It had to be relatively straight forward to avoid any accidents.

Daer Reservoir supplies water to central Scotland

Thus on a beautiful morning I drove down to Daer reservoir and enjoyed the journey via Wanlockhead where the hills were spectacular, what a sight. Also for this early time quite a few people parked up beside the burn, picnic tables and chairs out, maybe they were all looking for gold.

Nice open area to start the walk

I parked on a grassy verge at a crossroads also for the Southern Upland Way. Was wondering if any locals would say anything but as I got changed two farmers came past on quad bikes both waving and smiling a good start.

The grassy trail looks more obvious looking back

I had copied a GPS route but god knows where they thought they were going as I went over a new footpath under construction, a deforested area (so much for avoiding accidents). Round a tree line, over fences before reaching a grassy route, all this in the first ten minutes.

From here cannot go wrong just wander up the grassy slopes, small hard tussocks which rolled the ankles to reach a fence line. At a stone dyke junction with the fence it meets the SUW path, guess which way I will be descending.

Cotton grass meadows the top is near the treeline top right

The cotton grass meadows and slopes were full of meadow pipits and skylarks with the odd curlew and lapwing also nesting. At one point a pair of skylarks hopped the fence calling and I suspected a youngster about. As I neared some reeds it rushed out from them across my path straight into the reeds on the other side, at some pace I might add.

If you are on the right side of the fence helpful styles

Now just follow the fence line and the SUW markers, a few false summits before the top of Hods Hill is reached. Excellent views if you ignore the turbines.

True top over fence about 100m

I had read that the actual summit was a diversion of about 100 metres further back to an unnamed top, it did not look it but according to my GPS it was 8 metres higher so glad I went over to it.

Hods Hill from the true top

When I was on that top a hill runner went by on the original track, the only other person on the hill today.

Daer reservoir and Durisdeer hills behind

As I descended the views over the reservoir were spectacular, the blue water a real stand out. The Durisdeer hills are behind and interesting to be seen from this angle. 

Lowther Hills

Also the Lowther range were just beautiful. I suspect Cairnsmore of Carsphairn was the big lump over to my left but far away. Small heath butterflies everywhere.

Wheatear more concerned with the raven above than me, there was a nest nearby.

Nearly back at the car when I spotted a familiar shape on a wire, was that a cuckoo? But even from this distance I could see it had food in its mouth, they don't feed young? However I have seen cuckoos trying to attract a mate with food and as it flew into the trees another bird appeared which it tried to give food to before they both disappeared under cover. Not 100% sure if it was a cuckoo and delighted if it was as I did not think I would see one this year. I will keep looking for a clearer sighting.

Overall I fully enjoyed this short walk and time to start building it up for the bigger ones.

Wildlife: Meadow Pipit; Skylark; Curlew; Raven; Peewit; Small Heath; Small White; Wheatear; Cuckoo?

Time: 2.21

Ascent: 326m

Distance: 8.1km