Hillfoot Hill

 26 January 2023.

Participants: Just me

Where: Hillfoot Hill, 442m/1,450', P 53m, Tump, OS 58. NN 969 005

An Ochil Hills hill that I had been avoiding until now as it was cloaked in dark conifers. However a lot of them, including the summit area, had been felled. I parked in the community wood car park to the south of the hill on a back road from Dollar to Tillicoultry, a short distance from the start of an excellent forestry track that headed up and round the hill passing close to the summit. The lower slopes were also clear of trees and I soon came across a viewpoint with a seat. Good view from here south to Knock Hill and Saline Hill.....

At a junction I took the left hand branch which rose gradually up the west and north sides of the hill. Another view south to Knock Hill.....

There didn't seem to be any easy route up the summit brash from there so I carried on descending slightly to the east side of the hill. From here I was looking down to Glenquey reservoir with Innerdownie rising to the north of it.....

The brash looked much easier from the east side so I went up here. The summit views were to Knock Hill.....

to West Lomond.....

and to King's Seat.....

Back down at the track I continued it round the south side of the hill back to the junction, stopping at the viewpoint for a coffee and a bite to eat, and then on to the car park. Another view of King's Seat from the track....

A great start to a new year, Goldenberry Hill (West Kilbride)

 20 January 2023

Participants: Just me

Where: Goldenberry Hill, 140m/459', P 122m, Hump, OS 63, NS 183 503

A hospital stay between Christmas and New Year and lounging about recovering did nothing for my fitness. However, a week of  good weather which enabled me to do a walk each day was gradually restoring what remains of my hill fitness. This was the forecast final day of the cold, clear weather so I just had to get out and take advantage of it. Goldenberry Hill was on my list of "to do" hills because of its situation on the Clyde coast and I reckoned that it would be ideal, not too long or steep. I parked in the big car park at Portencross Castle from where there was a great view of the snow covered peaks of Arran.....

I walked back along the road to the hill track which went through Ardneil farm and continued all the way to the summit.....

The views from the summit were outstanding, ignoring the telephone mast at the summit and the old nuclear plant at Hunterston below! Looking to Arran .....

to Little Cumbrae.....

to Cumbrae and Millport.....

There was a trig and a large cairn, with the actual high point somewhere in between. Kaim Hill is in the background......

Some more summit views.....

A great place to sit and have my lunch before descending the same way. A final photo of Portencross castle with Little Cumbrae in the background.....