Meall na Gobhar (Trossachs)

 26 February 2024

Where: Meall nan Gobhar, 249m/818', P 33m, Tump, OS 57, NN 569 045

This was a recently discovered Tump in the Menteith Hills south of Loch Venachar and west of Callander. I parked in the East Lodge car park and followed a good forestry track- the route of the Rob Roy Way. The views over the loch to Ben Ledi and Stuc Odhar and down the loch to Ben Venue were excellent.....

After a couple of miles I reached a small loch behind which were the main Menteith Hills.....

The track turned to the north and my objective came into view with Stuc Odhar and Ben Ledi to the right of it.....

There was a good view looking back along the length of Loch Venachar at a point just before I started the climb up Meall nan Gobhar.....

The route up the hill went up the side of an old quarry, a bit rough but OK.....

The top was however very rough but the view to the west taking in Ben Venue and Ben A'an made up for it.....

Back at the track, I carried on down to the lochside and followed the road back to the car. The hill was certainly nothing special but the walk itself was excellent.

First in 2024, Macbeth's Castle and Mailingsland Hill

 19 February 2024

Participants: Just me

Where: Macbeth's Castle, 340m/1,115', P 80m, Tump, OS 73, NT 205334; Mailingsland Hill, 370m/1,214m, P 35m, Tump, OS 73, NT 259 425

The weather had been miserable for most of the year so far, overcast and rain. However, today was better, some sunshine although more rain was forecast to come in later. I set off for the Manor valley, south of Peebles to bag Macbeth's Castle. I parked in a large lay by to the north of the hill opposite a gate which took me on to the hill. It was a gradual grassy ascent.....

There were two cairns at the top, the south one apparently the higher by a few centimetres and good views north to Peebles and south down the valley.....

The best view however was to the east along a side valley to Stob Law and Glenrath Heights which are taken in on the traverse of the Dun Law group of hills.....

I returned the same way and transferred the car to Venlaw High Road in Peebles where there was plenty of parking. The route to Mailingsland Hill followed a good track passing the Venlaw Castle Hotel. It rose gradually with my hill visible ahead. It is the tree covered hill in the middle distance.......

The track took me to about 250m from the top of the hill. I couldn't immediately see a way through the trees but one eventually emerged; behind an old quarry and a tin shed. It was only a narrow fire break but good enough and led to a disappointing summit- no view......

I returned the same way with a view of Peebles ahead. A poor summit but a pleasant walk,