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.

Buachailean

 24 September 2022

Participants: Just me

Where: Buachailean, 346m/1,135', P 63m, Tump, OS 63, NS 122 702

I had had my eye on this hill south of Dunoon for some time, waiting for a good weather day to bag it. Standing above Loch Striven and facing a number of islands in the Clyde estuary, it had to be an ace viewpoint. And so it was. I drove to Greenock and the ferry terminal at McInroy's Point. On the ferry heading to Dunoon.....

I headed south out of Dunoon and stopped at Ardyne Point to get a photograph of my objective (the hill on the right).....

There is a good Forestry car park at Ardyne, lots of spaces but only a couple of other cars in it today. The forestry isn't thick; indeed most of the mature trees have been cut down although they have been replaced with more conifers. I followed yellow marker posts initially, they took me to where the path reached a forestry road. A couple of hundred metres to the left and I arrived at the start of a narrower path which led all of the way to the summit trig. I was now out of the trees and there were views back; there was a large cruise ship moored in Rothesay Bay.....

 The views were exceptional. Best were those seaward, over Bute to Arran and Kintyre with Ailsa Craig visible on the horizon.....

The Wemyss Bay to Rothesay ferries crossing the Clyde estuary.....

Looking down to Loch Striven.....

Looking over Bute to Kintyre.....

I spent a fair bit of time at the summit but eventually dragged myself away and started down the way I had come up.....

There was time to wander about Dunoon before catching the ferry back to Gourock and the drive home.....

One of the best hill expedition days of the year.