Druim na h-Earba

26 September 2016

Participants: Neil and Ben
Where: Druim na h-Earba, 288m/944', Sub-2k Marilyn, Map 41, NN 090713

I had to go to Fort William for an MBA related meeting which finished around 2pm allowing time to climb a wee hill. The obvious choice was Druim na h-Earba just to the south of the town and it had the additional advantage of a high start point. On checking my records, I found that it was 6 years since I had done this one, seems like yesterday. I parked at a viewpoint; the hill path started directly opposite. It was a bit muddy in places and there was evidence that cows were about but we never came across them. The path went all the way to the trig which is situated on a fine perch with views in all directions. This is one of these hills where you are amply repaid for very little effort. Some photos.

 

Ben Nevis from the path.....

 

 

 

Fort William from the path.....

 

 

The sun was in the wrong direction but still managed this view down Loch Linnhe to the Corran narrows.....

 

 

Across the loch to Stob Coire a'Chearcaill.....

 

 

Corpach and the hills to the north.....

 

Across Glen Nevis to the Mamores.....

 

 

Glad that I was able to get this walk on a fine early autumn afternoon.

Another visit to Ben A'an

22 September 2016

Participants: Neil and Ben
Where: Ben A'an, Trossachs, a Tump

As it often does, the atmosphere had cleared after overnight rain so another walk was in order. When I climbed Ben A'an last year, the main path was closed for repair and the forest was being cut down. Both of these have really enhanced the walk, the path is a delight and there are views across the loch most of the way up (and down). The Forestry now charge £3 per day to park and claim that all the fees are channelled into path restoration work. You could get off with only paying £1 but that only gives you an hour; I for one certainly can't do Ben A'an in that time!! It's too nice a hill to hurry; there are some great views on a good day. The route is straightforward, just follow the path from the car park to the top and then reverse it. Here are todays photos.

 

 

Minch Moor

17 September 2016

Participants: Neil and Ben
Where: Minch Moor, 567m/1,859', sub-2k Marilyn, Map 73, NT 359330

I headed to the Borders meaning to climb Cademuir Hill near Peebles but as I approached I saw that the forestry were busy chopping down trees on the summit ridge so carried on to Traquair for another ascent of the Minch Moor. It is a good walk with wide summit views and some interesting "extra" features. It was a warm day but the humidity of recent weeks had gone making it much more comfortable for walking. The views appear almost immediately, this is the view from near the start with my objective on the horizon.....

and this is looking back at Traquair and the Tweed valley.....
 

 

The Minch Moor is an old drove road  which at one time was the main route across southern Scotland. It has been in use for over 800 years, and is now part of the Southern Upland Way. It is the route by which Montrose and his cavaliers fled from Philiphaugh after the battle there.....

The track soon passed the site of the old Minchmoor bothy which the MBA decided to give up because of vandalism and problems with litter. Sadly, matters didn't improve after the SUW rangers took over responsibility for maintaining it and the building was subsequently demolished. It is not the only bothy that could be reached easily from a public road that has suffered that fate. There is now a horse memorial close to the place where the bothy stood; I hope that it receives more respect.

I was now clear of the forest and looking over Pipers Knowe where there is a "growing sculpture" created in 2005 by Charles Poulsen known as Point Of Resolution. It comprises large, irregular ovals cut into the heather. Couldn't see the point in it myself but it provided an excuse to stop walking for a few minutes. A little further on I came to the Cheese Well, a wayside spring whose name relates to the ancient custom of leaving presents of cheese for the fairies to ensure a safe and successful journey for the drovers who used this route from Traquair to Yarrow. Coins have replaced cheese today......

The path from the main drove route to the summit is signposted. All of this area is part of the Borders mountain biking system and there were a lot of bikers about.....

Fortunately, the biking trails are separate from the walkers route, although they converge at the summit.

Some views from the summit looking east.....

The trig with the hills around Windlestraw Law in the background (north side of the River Tweed)......

A view over Walkerburn.....

The familiar shape of the Eildon Hills in the distance.....

I returned by the same route. The visibility was really sharp by now and there was an excellent view ahead to the hills around Dun Rig.....

So the forestry work at Cademuir turned out to be lucky and gave me an excellent day on the wide open spaces of the Minch Moor.