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Section 0 Galloway and Border Hills
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Section 0 - Trip Reports for the Galloway and Border Hills
Section 0 refers to the hills south of the central belt, or the Midland Valley as it is referred to in the SMC handbooks, and north of the Scotland - England border. They include the hills of Galloway in the south-west and the Border Hills to the south-east of Scotland including Corbetts, Grahams, New Donalds and Sub-Donalds that I have climbed in this area since 2003.
Index to Hills in this SectionMoorfoot Hills31 December 2007
The last day of the year saw me down in the Borders area of Scotland, an area I am not really acquaint with. The plan was to try and bag the Graham Windlestraw Law to complete those in the Moorfoot Hills. I drove north on the B709 Innerleithen to Gorebridge road for 8.5 kilometres to the farm at Blackhopebyre. It was obvious that the farmer didn't want walkers parking near the farm as there were a couple of signs advising against it. I returned along the B709 and found a suitable parking spot. Instead of walking back along the road to the farm I crossed a fence and climbed steeply to the grassy vehicle track that led to Glentress Rig. On reaching the track the walking was relatively easy but later became quite wet and boggy especially on the more level section. The track continued over Wallet Knowe and passed some shooting butts. The vehicle track ended at the highest butt and a walker's path continued along the side of a fence to the summit trig point of Windlestraw Law. There were no views due to the low cloud and I followed another walker's path, running along the side of a fence to the Sub Donald Bareback Knowe. The map actually shows this name refers to the 505 point further west but according a booklet on New Donalds and Sub Donalds the 657 point has the same name. In the cloud I descended to the 505 point and down towards the Glentress Burn. I had planned to return to my vehicle and move it higher up the glen if I fancied extending the day to include an ascent of the New Donald Whitehope Law on the opposite of the road. However I decided to make it a circular walk and continued down the Glentress Burn to the habitation at Glentress. Here I crossed the B709 and the Glentress Water and commenced the ascent of Windside Hill. I found some suitable shelter for lunch but the cloud lowered with some light rain. After lunch I continued to the summit of Windside Hill before changing direction and climbing to the summit of Whitehope Law. The summit consisted of a few stones and a couple of planks of wood beside a fence.
Once again I had no views from the summit so I followed the fence
north towards a bealach and descended, steeply in places, towards the B709 passing some sheep pens. It
was then a short walk down the B709, passed Blackhopebyre Farm to my
car and the end of my walks for 2007.
Carsphairn Hills30 December 2007
The start of this walk was Blackcraig Farm in Glen Afton, which is 5.5 kilometres south of the village of New Cumnock, Southern Uplands. There is no parking facilities in the immediate vicinity but limited parking can be found to the north or south of the farm road. I found a suitable parking area before setting off along the farm road, over the Afton Water, and passed Blackcraig Farm. To the north of the farm there was a walker's route indicator which would be better placed nearer the farm, although the route is obvious. Once through a gate the vehicle track headed uphill to the south of a small copse. The track later became a path which was wet and boggy in places. The cairn at Quintin Knowe was reached and by this time I was in the cloud. I went beyond the cairn to a fence which I followed towards the summit of Blackcraig Hill. There were several other indicator posts en-route although I wasn't sure why they were there as there was nothing on my map to indicate a specific walking route. The fence didn't go to the summit so I left it and climbed to the trig point. There was nothing to see here due to the weather, so I descended south on a bearing to the bealach between Blackcraig Hill and Blacklorg Hill crossing a fence en-route. Near the bealach I saw three walkers who appeared to have climbed up from the Craig Burn. At the bealach I climbed Blacklorg Hill. There was a fence away to the east but I didn't follow it till higher up as there were some peat hags nearby and I wanted to avoid them. The summit cairn was reached, still in poor visibility, so I left the summit and followed another fence to the bealach with Cannock Hill. From here I descended to Craigdarroch Farm over some rough ground following the line of the Craig Burn. Lower down new plantations had been planted and the area was a mess of fences, some topped with barbed wire. I don't see the point in barbed wire fences other than to make their crossing awkward and to rip your clothing. Once at Craigdarroch Farm I walked down the Glen road for 1.5 kilometres back to my car. The cloud had lifted slightly and for the first time I noted that there were some wind turbines to the north of Blackcraig Hill, which weren't shown on my map.
Moorfoot Hills1 December 2007
Blackhope Scar is one of the Moorfoot Hills located south of Edinburgh. I decided to climb this hill from Gladhouse Reservoir to its north. The reservoir was reached from the B6372 Penicuik to Gorebridge road then following the road signs to Gladhouse and Moorfoot, which relates to the nearby farm. Signs request vehicles be parked at the reservoir and not on the verges. I walked along the tarred road to Moorfoot Farm then took the vehicle track which headed south to Gladhouse Cottage and the ruins of Hirendean Castle. Just beyond Gladhouse Cottage the track crossed the River South Esk by a bridge before continuing south on the east side of the river with the wind turbines on Bowbeat Hill in the distance. I continued along this track as far as a second vehicle track on the south side of The Kipps. This second vehicle track, which was my planned route, rose towards the bealach between The Kipps and Blackhope Scar. Higher up the track became quite rough and eroded before it headed off towards The Kipps. I left the track and walked across heather and boggy terrain to a fence which I followed towards the summit of Blackhope Scar. The terrain did not improve as I gained height and in fact deteriorated near the summit as there were some peat hags to cross. The summit was marked by a trig point at the junction of three lines of fences. It was rather windy here as it had been during most of the walk and the views weren't that great due to some cloud. The wind turbines on nearby Bowbeat Hill were now only around 1.5 kilometres away. I left the summit of Blackhope Scar and descended steeply into Long Cleave and below the wind turbines. Here I was sheltered from the wind and followed animal tracks down to the vehicle track at the head of the Glen and the River South Esk. Here there was a red brick building containing some straw and I used the building for my lunch stop. Thereafter I followed the track north to Moorfoot Farm and the short walk to my car.
Culter Hills25 November 2007
The start of this walk was the end of the public road just south of Culter Allers Farm. This road was reached by driving south on a single track road from Culter which is located on the A702 road between Biggar and the Abington Service Station on the M74. Just beyond the Farm there was a sign saying 'Private', whether or not it is I don't know, but it welcomed walkers as long as there were no more than four and that the owners aren't out shooting. I didn't think the wording of the sign was that friendly but I wasn't there to make friends with the owner or his staff. There was limited verge parking just before the sign. We set off along the 'private road' towards Coulter Reservoir but after around 600 metres left this road and followed the vehicle track up the side of the Kings Beck. The track later petered out and we climbed fairly steeply onto the Tippet Knowe, a heathery ridge to the north-west of Culter Fell. Here there were traces of a path which we followed across some boggy ground passing a walker and a couple of hill runners who were going in the opposite direction. We climbed to the summit trig point of Culter Fell where, despite the weather closing in, we had views across to Tinto Hill and south to our next set of hills. The descent from Culter Fell was down its south ridge following a line of fence posts, across some wet and boggy ground, before climbing over two minor tops, Moss Law and Holm Nick. By this time the summit of Culter Fell was cloud covered and it was like this mainly for the rest of the day. At this point we had a choice of climbing directly onto Gathersnow Hill or firstly go out and climb the New Donald, Coomb Hill. We decided on the latter and initially followed an old vehicle track before it disappeared and we continued up the side of a fence. Higher up we crossed the fence and aimed for the bealach between Gathersnow Hill and Coomb Hill, before making the short ascent to Coomb Hill's summit cairn. We returned to the bealach followed by an easy ascent to the summit of Gathersnow Hill, which was marked by a small cairn beside the boundary fence. It was too windy to stop here for lunch and as we had already planned to include Hudderstone on our round of Culter Glen we descended to the head of the Back Burn where we found some shelter for a late lunch. The next section of the walk was over pathless terrain, including heather, bog and some peat hags and involved crossing a couple of fences as we sought the best and most direct route to Hudderstone. Eventually we reached its south-east ridge and followed a fence over Dod Hill and onto Hudderstone. There was nothing marking Hudderstone's highest point and as light was failing we descended north, steeply at times, towards the stream Lea Gill. Animal tracks helped us to get through the heather and dead bracken before a more obvious animal path lead to a large shed containing sheep. Just beyond the shed a vehicle track led to the tarred road on the east side of Culter Water and in the dark this road was followed back to the start beside Culter Allers Farm.
White Coomb9 July 2006
I headed for the Borders as it was supposed to be the drier part of the country but it was still raining when I set off from the Grey Mare's Tail Car park, on the Moffat to Selkirk road, where there is a Pay and Display machine run by the National Trust. The first section of the path up the east side of the Tail Burn was steep and similar to climbing a massive staircase as it had been constructed using hundreds of stones. The waterfall to my left was spectacular after the overnight rain and I saw a goat and kid at its edge. Once above the waterfall and where I had intended crossing the Tail Burn I abandoned that idea due to the flow of the water and continued along the path looking for a safer crossing point. I reached the outflow of Loch Skeen before I found such a spot and once across the burn I decided that it would be easier to climb the ridge on the south-west side of Loch Skeen which had been my planned descent route from Lochcraig Head. At the highest point on this ridge I made another alteration to my plan and traversed above the crags at the head of Loch Skeen and climbed the Donald, Lochcraig Head first. It was still raining, a bit windy and there was no view when I reached the summit cairn. I walked the few metres from the cairn to a dry stone dyke and followed it to Firthybrig Head, Donald's Cleuch Head, Firthhope Rig and onto White Coomb. The summit cairn is located a short distance from the dyke. Due to the continuing heavy rain, which was now more showery, I decided the best route of descent was to avoid the burn crossing and return to the ridge above Loch Skeen. I crossed some rough and wet ground aiming for above the gorge of Midlaw Burn before reaching this ridge. I followed the ridge back to the outflow of Loch Skeen as the rain ceased and the weather improved so it was a dryish walk back to the Grey Mare's Tail Car Park.
Broad Law11 March 2006
I had time for a short walk in the Borders so I decided to climb Broad Law. Previously I had climbed this Corbett, from Hearthstane to the west but on this occasion I decided to climb it from the south. This route allowed me to start the walk at a height of 450 metres. I drove along the narrow road from Tweedsmuir to St Mary's Loch and parked at Megget Stone. Two ladies, who had walked up the road from Talla Linnfoots appeared to be a bit uncertain where they were headed but set off south towards White Coomb, which was a long way off over several tops. There was some wet snow lying as I headed off in the opposite direction and followed a fence that went up over Fans Law, Cairn Law and onto Broad Law. There is not much to report on this walk as above 550 metres I entered the cloud base and with some light snow blowing in the strong wind visibility was poor. I followed the fence, as it headed in the correct direction, through some drifting snow until I reached the summit trig point. Visibility was now down to around twenty metres so there was no point in hanging about so I re-traced my steps back to the start. Once below the cloud and heading back to my car I spotted two figures coming down the north side of Carlavin Hill. This turned out to be the two ladies I had seen earlier so when we later met up we discussed where we had been. They told me that they had been up Broad Law so when I told them that I had been on Broad Law they were a bit confused as they told me they had reached the cairn. When we parted company I am sure the ladies were still of the opinion they had climbed Broad Law.
Hart Fell and Swatte Fell4 December 2005
I had to go to the Borders so I took the opportunity to climb Hart Fell again. The first occasion I climbed it from Ericstane to the west so on this visit I decided to tackle it from Capplegill to its south. This would allow me to take in the Donald, (hills in the Scottish Lowlands over 2000feet) Swatte Fell. I parked my car beside a cottage east of Capplegill and next to a field of bellowing Belted Galloway cows and their calves. This field I was planning to use on my return route. I walked back along the road towards Capplegill Farm and searched for a route onto the hillside beside the burn. There wasn't an obvious route as some trees and a barn obstructed a direct ascent. In the end I went through a small field, across a stane dyke and a couple of fences before eventually reaching the west side of the burn. I think it would probably be easier to go through the farm, although personally I try and avoid such routes. Once on the open hillside it was a steep climb up the west side of a gully known as 'Hang Gill'. On reaching the top of the gully I crossed the burn and found a couple of gates as the fences were obviously electrified but fortunately the power was switched off. The terrain became a bit rough until I commenced the climb up the west side of Black Craig where there was a good viewpoint jutting out towards Black Hope. From here I spotted two fellow walkers on Saddle Yoke, on the other side of the glen and I later saw two goats on the crags. The ridge changed direction here for a short distance before I reached the summit of Nether Coomb Craig, which is classed as a Donald Top. There were traces of a path here but I wished to leave the line of crags and head over to the summit of Swatte Fell, a Donald. It was in low cloud as I walked along the side of a couple of fences through some bog and snow. Eventually I reached the summit, which was marked by a small cairn. I eventually rejoined the path near Upper Coomb Craig and climbed the second Donald Top of the day, Falcon Craig. From here it was a short descent to a bealach before the final climb to the Corbett, Hart Fell, which is also classed as a Donald. (Donalds include Corbetts as they are classed as anything above 2,500 feet so you get two ticks for all the Corbetts in the Border and Galloway Hills) From Hart Fell I crossed over to Hartfell Rig where I came across several hounds running across the hillside. There was no sign of anyone in charge of them and they were obviously trying to flush out foxes. It was now getting a bit late so the ascent of Saddle Yoke was abandoned and instead I descended steeply down Whirly Gill towards Black Hope. The hounds were on the opposite side of the Glen pushing the frightened sheep high up into the crags. More hounds were on my side of the Cold Grain burn and also heading up onto Redhill Craig. There was still no sign of the hound owners but maybe that was because what they were doing was illegal and they had spotted me earlier. On reaching Black Hope I walked down the east side of the burn before joining a vehicle track that took me to the start. It was almost dark as I reached the field with the Belted Galloway cows and I could see them on the thickly coated muddy track. To avoid the mud and the cattle I took a slight diversion round them but they didn't appear bothered by my presence. Once through the gate I was back at my car after an enjoyable walk, a pity that there were no views higher up due to the cloud base.
Galloway25 April 2004My final Corbett in Galloway was Corserine, so accompanied by a couple of friends I drove to the start of the walk at Forrest Lodge near Polharrow Bridge. There we were met by a group of 'firewatchers' who were checking people in and out due to what they considered to be a high fire risk, despite the recent wet spell. A stroll through the forest took us onto the open hillside as the early morning cloud cleared. A steady climb up grassy slopes and we were at the summit trig point of Corserine with some views for a change. After a short break a descent along the south-west ridge took us back to the forest and the route to the start.
Galloway25 January 2004With a cold front spreading into the north of Scotland with wind and snow showers predicted, even at low levels, we decided to head south to the Galloway hills. The Corbett for today was the unusually named Cairnsmore of Carsphairn. Leaving the car at the Green Well of Scotland we set off up a track which ran through a couple of fields ankle deep in mud. Fortunately the cattle were feeding in the cattle sheds while their calves waited outside. Once through the mud and across a swollen burn we gradually climbed up the track in fairly mild temperatures. On reaching and crossing the Polsue Burn we headed up the side of a stane dyke into cloud and a covering of snow. The summit cairn and trig point were easily found being right beside the dyke. A short break for lunch and we headed down the south ridge towards Black Shoulder where we encountered our one and only snow shower. Once it passed we were enroute for the small lochan but navigation wasn’t a problem as we had picked up another stane dyke which took us over Dunool to Willieanna. From here we dropped down to the track, which we used on the upward route, and a short walk back to the car. The only problem were the cows and their calves standing close to the muddy track enjoying the afternoon sun.
Galloway16 August 2003My first venture into Galloway took me to the Corbetts Shalloch on Minnoch and Merrick. The lower slopes are covered in forests and I am afraid the scenery was spoilt by the ugly scars where tree felling had taken place. The walking was difficult at times through long grass and bog weed. Thankfully the area hadn’t seen rain for several weeks so I managed to keep my feet dry. Those intending climbing Shalloch on Minnoch should be aware that contrary to some references the trig point does not appear to be the summit as the map shows a contour at 770 metres and the trig point is shown as 768 metres.
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