Bengray

8 September 2015

Participants: Just me

Where: Bengray, 366m/1,202', Sub-2k Marilyn, Map 83, NX 630598: Approached over Benfadyeon, a Tump

 

The forecast was excellent, the forecaster hadn't mentioned mist and low cloud but when I set out, the mist was down to the road. So I hung about for an hour, read my paper and then decided to set out in the belief that the sun would dry the atmosphere up. I parked on the minor road from Gatehouse of Fleet to Laurieston opposite Laghead farm; a track was marked as leaving there and going to Loch Whinyeon which was a possible route to my hill. After about 30 or so minutes a memorial bench appeared out of the gloom; this was at a viewpoint just short of the loch. Today's view.....

 

 

It was quite warm so I made use of the seat for half an hour then wandered on to the loch where I had another stop in a small fishing hut. And still the mist didn't lift. So I set off back downhill and half way back to the car the sun appeared through the clouds and it looked as though something was happening. So I turned round and set off uphill again. This time, I left the path and went up Benfadyeon and the cloud lifted with me. From Benfadyeon, I could at last see Bengray and there was no doubt now that the sunshine was arriving.....

 

 

 

I followed a good 4WD track before striking up the steep slopes of the hill. Loch Whinyeon appeared below through the mist.....

 

 

It was really humid and I was struggling. Of course, there had to be a false top but eventually I was there. The highest point appears to be slightly north of the trig. The haze made the views disappointing......

 

But it was a big improvement on earlier; the sun was beating down as I made my way back. Loch Whinyeon again.....

 

and the view back to Bengray from Benfadyeon........

 

 

It wasn't a great distance nor ascent but I ended up more tired after this one that on any other outing this year. This would be a good hill on a crisp winter's day.