Killyleoch Hill

29 October 2013

Participants: Just me
Where: Killyleoch Hill, 240m/786', Sub-2k Marilyn, Map 78, NX 878820

Killyleoch Hill only joined the ranks of Marilyns a few months ago. Not as a result of volcanic activity in Dumfries-shire but because it was found that inaccurate measurements had previously been taken at a col somewhere near at hand and the hill's relative height was in fact over 150 metres.

I had intended doing the hill sometime en route to or from the north of England but according to the weather forecasters, today was likely to be the only decent day for hill walking for quite some time. The dreaded Atlantic fronts were piling in to the country bringing heavy rain and strong winds. So it was a case of "seize the day" and I didn't regret it.

It turned out to be another of these hills that is really only high moorland, albeit covered in trees on it's east slopes. This is it viewed from the small village of Dunscore.....

There was space for one car in the bell end of the track to the farm at Newtonairds to the south of the hill. The track wound up through the trees before heading through a gate on to the open hillside. I went through a field containing cows, fortunately of the docile variety, out through another gate, then turned left through two more gates and into another field also containing cows, of the Highland variety this time. They were at the other side of the field and I managed to sneak past them without them noticing me. On the way back, however, they had moved to the part of the field containing the gate so, just to be sure, I kept to the other side of the wall, just inside the trees. The going was ok. For anyone thinking of doing the hill, this is a picture of gates 3 and 4 that you have to go through.....

At the top of the field, I crossed a wall into some rougher ground. A path was starting to form through the bracken and heather; maybe made by Marilyn baggers updating their lists? From this area, there was a good view across the valley to Bishop Forest Hill, which I climbed a couple of years ago.....

And there was also a view south to Criffel.....

Three more wall crossings followed and then the summit was in sight.....

It may not be very high but it is a smashing viewpoint. This is looking west.....

and east with Queensberry prominent.....

 

The foliage is really turning now, not many days left before the leaves are stripped from the trees, I guess. The colours seem to have been really strong this year. On the way down, I passed this tree, not sure what it is but it is certainly a striking colour.....

Fionn Bhealach- my 700th Marilyn

11 October 2013

Participants: Neil and Ben
Where: Fionn Bhealach (Arran), 444m/1,456', Sub-2k Marilyn, Map 69, NR 977497

The choice for my 700th Marilyn as a day walk from home was a bit limited. I still have a few to do round about Lochgoilhead but there are problems with fences and I also didn't fancy another hill that involved a lot of walking through forestry. But I still have all of the smaller hills on Arran to do, the forecast was excellent, and Fionn Bhealach looked as though it would be a good viewpoint. So that was it chosen! The early morning cloud was breaking up as the ferry crossed the Firth; this is looking towards Goat Fell, Fionn Bhealach is the small bump on the right hand side of the picture. It is on the opposite side of Glen Chalmadale from the main hills and I was hoping for a good view of them from its summit.

 

 

It was certainly looking brighter to the west as the Caledonian Isles entered Brodick Bay.....

 

 

I had planned on starting the walk at Lochranza but as I drove down into the village it was obvious that there were lots of sheep on the slopes. I didn't fancy getting dragged up the hill on the end of a lead attached to a strong and enthusiastic spaniel. So I turned the car and drove back to the highest point of the road where there was a lay-by and where I had noticed that the hillside was devoid of sheep. You soon get into the way of looking out for those things when you have a canine companion! It certainly wasn't the best way up the hill but it was the shortest and I was delighted to see that there was a quad track heading up, which meant that I avoided the worst of the rough ground and wetness. Only problem was that the weather was looking a bit grey over this part of the Island. I stopped after a short distance to take this picture looking across the glen to Caisteal Abhail.....

 

 

and this one looking to the hills further west, above Catacol.....

 

 

There were no sheep but I spotted a stag further up the hillside. About half way up, a group of about 15 hinds ran across the higher reaches of the hill; Ben went on his lead until they were safely out of the way. The stags on the other side of the glen were in good voice and the one on our hillside expressed his view from time to time. Arran is a fantastic place to be to see and hear them in the rutting season.

 

The track continued more or less to the ridge and soon the trig came into view- a nice freshly painted job this one.....

 

 

Here is a picture of the trig and Ben with the Graham, Beinn Bharrain in the background.....

 

 

The weather was being obstinate; this side of the Island was clearly pulling in all of the cloud while everything to the west and north was getting brilliant sunshine. Still, I have had worse! This is looking across the Clyde over the southern tip of Bute to the Cumbrae's and the Ayrshire coast.....

 

 

the view to Caisteal Abhail.....

 

 

and to Beinn Bharrain.....

 

 

I had booked on the last ferry so that I could take time to see a bit of the Island. So I drove over to the west of the Island to find the sunshine. I discovered that there was a FC way-marked walk from just north of Blackwaterfoot that went over to the coast so I took a wander along that. The weather was indeed better here, you would hardly think that it was the same day and that the two areas were only about 10 miles apart as the crow flies. These are shots of Beinn Bharrain over Machrie Bay.....

 

 

 

 

and one taken looking down the Sound of Arran to the Mull of Kintyre.....

 

 

A good day and as I still have lots of hills to do on Arran, it is firmly in the diary again for next year.