Harvey's first hill

 27 November 2022

Participants: Neil, Steven and Harvey

Where: Castle Hill (Bar Hill) at Twechar/Croy

A nice November day and a local hill for Harvey to start his hill walking exploits. He loved it. Neil and Harvey.....

Steven and Harvey.....

Harvey.....

Pole Hill (Sidlaw Hills)

25 November 2022

Participants: Just me

Where: Pole Hill, 288m/945', P 105m, Hump, OS 53/58, NO 195 260

I was on my way to the Dundee Mountain Film Festival, which was returning after a two year absence. The weather was cloudy but dry as I parked at the high point of a B class road to the east of the hill. There was a fairly substantial lay-by and also verge parking with a gate permitting access to the slopes. The trig just visible from the start.....

There was a good track initially, as far as a couple of barb wire fences. I had read that there were a couple of shaky styles crossing these although I didn't know which field they were in. Fortunately I guessed correctly (they are to the right of another fence). Once over, it the field was replaced by easy heather mixed with grass with the trig now obviously ahead.....

The clouds were clearing as I reached the top although it remained hazy in the distance. The trig and looking east towards Lundie.....

and looking west towards distant Murrayshall Hill south of Scone.....

A nice easy hill and a good viewpoint even on a less than perfect day.

Rigging Hill (near Largs)

6 November 2022 

Participants: Just me

Where: Rigging Hill, 391m/1,283', P 57m, Tump, OS 63, NS 241 588

Rigging Hill is one of many small hills north of the A760 and is situated in Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park. This is rough, boggy country and the ground was certainly wet today. I parked in a parking area just past a large dairy complex, the start of a good track heading up the glen between Rigging Hill and Irish Law. I had hardly started before the rain came on but it had gone off again and the sun had made an appearance before I reached the turn off for Rigging Hill. A view back down the track to Muirhead reservoir.....

I walked as far as the high point of the track from where a very rough and muddy path headed over Paton's Hill and continued all the way to the cairn on Rigging Hill and beyond. It looked as if it had been put in by the forestry, there were a lot of new plantings about. Without the track/path however this hill would be a nightmare! A view back across the glen to Irish Law, another Tump.....

The cairn soon appeared on the horizon.....

Someone had put a bit of effort into building the cairn.....

This is wild, rough country, here looking north to Hill of Stake (far distant).....

West to the Firth of Clyde.....

Muirhead reservoir from near to the summit.....

Laggan Hill, Dulnain Bridge

 22 October 2022

Participants: Just me

Where: Laggan Hill, 389m/1,276', p. 33m, Tump, OS 36, NJ 005 268

It was another misty, murky day but I decided to climb this hill anyway, there was a track all the way to the top. I parked at Roches Moutonnees just outside Dulnain Bridge from where the track started. The trees were now well on their way to shedding their leaves and the colours were fine, even given the weather conditions.....

The climb was very straightforward and the masts at the top of the hill soon came into view.....

The actual summit looked to be just north of the mast enclosure although it might have been in the enclosure itself.....

The views unfortunately were poor but at least I had had some exercise.....

Callart Hill and Loch Pityoulish (Aviemore)

 21 October 2022

Participants: Just me

Where: Callart Hill, 263m/863', P44m, Tump, OS 36, NH 916 131

I was on my way to the MBA AGM, the weather was poor although with occasional sunny periods and this small tree covered Tump seemed just right in these circumstances. There was no view from the top but as I was driving on after climbing it I passed Loch Pityoulish and decided to stop and have a look. I was glad that I did, it was a really beautiful spot especially as the clouds had temporarily cleared. Callart Hill (right) from Loch Pityoulish.....

Summit of Callart Hill.....

Beautiful autumn colours at Loch Pityoulish with views to the Cairngorms.....

Langlaw Hill (Broughton) and The Knock, Biggar

 10 October 2022

Participants: Just me

Where: Langlaw Hill, 369m/1,210', P 100m, Hump, OS 72, NT 100 382 and The Knock, 286m/938', P 42m, Tump, OS 72, NT 032377

Langlaw Hill proved to be a very easy walk with a woodland car park, just north of Broughton, at its foot. From the car park, I followed a track to the southern edge of the wood and then a path to the top of the wood, went through a couple of gates and joined another track which went to the summit. The summit area is a well defined hill fort with a noticeable ditch. The cairn stands in the middle of the fort.....

The nearest other hill groups are Culter Fell.......

and the Broughton hills, Broughton Heights, Clover Hill and Trahena Hill.....

There was plenty of time to stop in Biggar on the way home and to add The Knock. I parked on Lindsaylands Road and walked a short distance up Langlees Road to where a double style got me into a field from where it was an easy walk to the wood at the top. There was no view once in the field but a good view of Biggar fro just outside it plus another view of Culter Fell and Gathersnow Hill.....

Kaim Hill and Cumbrae

 28 September 2022

Participants: Just me

Where: Kaim Hill, 387m/1,270', P 80m, Tump, OS 63, NS 227 534

I decided to approach this hill from Knockendon bridge on the back road between Fairlie and Dalry. This gave the advantage of a high start, a parking area and as I found, an excellent track all the way to the summit. The track was particularly welcome as the ground is rough hereabouts. The view from the high point, which is close by but not at the trig, is good, especially to the peaks of Arran. You can also see Cumbrae  and up the Clyde estuary to Dunoon and the sea lochs. A pictorial record of the climb, a hill that is well worth the little effort required.....

It was a short walk so I decided to head int Largs, get the ferry to Cumbrae, a favourite island, and the bus to it's main town, Millport......

Millport harbour.....

Millport beach.....

Ailsa Craig on the horizon.....

Across the Clyde to Kaim Hill.....

Back to Largs.....

Another brilliant day out. September weather has been kind.