Meikle Bin

24 March 2014

Participants: Neil and Ben
Where: Meikle Bin, 570m/1,870', Sub-2k Marilyn, Map 57, NS 667822

It had been frosty overnight and the sky remained clear, so I had to get out. In this year of grey and cloudy skies, you have to take advantage of a good day when it comes along. Driving into Glasgow yesterday, I had noticed that there had been a considerable new dump of snow on the hills which would obviously have been very soft and laborious to walk through. So I quickly forgot any idea of driving to find a new Marilyn and went instead to re-visit one of the nearest to me and which was snow free- Meikle Bin in the Campsie Fells. Driving along by the Carron Valley reservoir, it was clear that I was in for a good day.....

 

 

 The tracks had been repaired by removing the top surface so although the surface was hard on the way in to the hill, by the time that I was returning it had turned quite muddy- just right for a white coated spaniel. Ben hadn't been out on the hill for a while and was racing about. He is a strong dog now and there is no way that I would manage him on the lead when he is in full excitement mode. Fortunately there is no need for a lead on Meikle Bin. This is the hill from near the start of the walk.....

 

 

The forestry folk had erected new signage since I was last here.....

 

 

There were glimpses of the surrounding hills as I got higher, this is looking to Stronend.....

 

 

And the short bit between the forest road and the open hill has now been made into a proper, drained path. It used to be a real wet area previously.....

 

 

It is further that it looks from the end of the forest to the summit but the angle is gentle.....

 

 

and we were soon there. What a great view today of the snow covered highland hills. In the next photo you can see from the Luss hills round to Ben Chonzie in Perthshire.....

 

 

 

 

This is looking down on the Carron valley reservoir.....

 

 

and this is looking south to the central belt.....

 

 

There were quite a few folk- and dogs- about. However, there was a cold wind blowing at the top so we dropped back down to the forest where the FC have considerately erected a bench and table for folk to sit at and have their cup of tea.