Trip summary
First week of an extended trip Marilyn bagging north of the border centred around 10 days on the Isle of Skye with walking aquaintence, but now buddy, Jon Glew staying at Sligachen Bunkhouse on the Isle of Skye. The primary aim being to ascend Sgurr Dearg - Innaccessible Pinnacle but with luck and good weather complete all twelve Isle of Skye Munros started back in April 2014.
With two trips already this year bagging more than 60 peaks and 29 Marilyns hill fitness is pretty much as good as it has ever been, so this week focused on outstanding Marilyns of Area 28B: The River Tweed to the English Border, which hopefully will provide the extra conditioning needed to prepare for the long days and exertions The Cuillin Ridge is likely to demand.
Day 01 Monday 24 April 2017
Calkin Rig
4.85 miles, 377.45m ascent, Start Point:-Grass verge near farm track just north of Bombie Cottages, Hopsrig (NY 31861 88847), Finish Point:-Grass verge near farm track just north of Bombie Cottages, Hopsrig (NY 31861 88847), Start Time-09:52am, Finish Time-11:53am, Duration-2 hours 01 minute, Average pace-2.40mph
Plan was to start in Hopsrigg but found good parking on grass verge near farm track just north of Bombie cottages (NY 31861 88846). Anti-clockwise route past Calkin byre then head up NE ridge to summit, rather than steeper route planned up east boundary of plantation consuming Clakin Rig summit. Summit is on fire break about 20m past first fb junction when approached from ESE plantation boundary corner. Returned by following fence to Shaw Hill and picking up track used for ascent.. Nice easy start to days walking in warm spring sunshine.
Grange Fell
1.67 miles, 178.40m ascent, Start Point:-Roadside just north of Carruthers Bridge (NY 25214 81208), Finish Point:-Roadside just north of Carruthers Bridge (NY 25214 81208), Start Time-12:33pm, Finish Time-13:40pm, Duration-1 hour 07 minutes, Average pace-1.50mph
Turned up at start point last night after 6 hour drive from Suffolk but somehow did not fancy it. Must be losing my resolve, but at least could survey parking for start point. Only problem was today space was taken at identified point near road junction to the east by lorry on driver break, so parked off road further south towards Carruthers Bridge (NY 25230 81189). Seems a better place as forces a more gentle ascent along ATV track. Went through gate near plantation but found hole in wall on descent and found easier ground on south side of wall. Either way a bushwack through for rest to summit and trig pillar and post in clearing. Look for a break in trees for easier time.
Pikethaw Hill
4.65 miles, 472.32m ascent, Start Point:-Layby on A7 NE of Eweslees farm entrance (NY 39213 97661), Finish Point:-Layby on A7 NE of Eweslees farm entrance (NY 39213 97661, Start Time-14:51pm, Finish Time-17:31pm, Duration-2 hours 40 minutes, Average pace-1.74mph
Parked in layby on A7 north of farm entrance then walked back to farm for access to fell. Plan was to go on to Wisp Hill but as was first walk of trip decided on steep ascent up Fordham Height via Peach Hill that would come back another day for this. Any doubt I might change my mind was dashed when hail driven by cold north westerly which changed to fast settling snow at summit confirmed the revised plan. Followed fence and boundary from summit to Ewes Doors then straight forward descent to farm and back along A7 to van.
With two trips already this year bagging more than 60 peaks and 29 Marilyns hill fitness is pretty much as good as it has ever been, so this week focused on outstanding Marilyns of Area 28B: The River Tweed to the English Border, which hopefully will provide the extra conditioning needed to prepare for the long days and exertions The Cuillin Ridge is likely to demand.
Walk Statistics
Walk Date - 24 April 2017
Walkers - Steve Smith
Accommodation - Bush of Ewes Farm, Langholme C&CC Certified Site
Start Point - Various (see maps below)
Finish Point - Various (see maps below)
Total Duration - 5hrs 48mins
Overall Average pace - 1.93mph
Total Distance Walked - 11.17 miles
Total Height Ascended - 1028.17metres
Peaks visited
Marilyns (1218S - 1556E,W&S)
Calkin Rig (87S - 329E,W&S)
Grange Fell (88S - 330E,W&S)
Pikethaw Hill (89S - 331E,W&S)
Donald Deweys (248S)
Pikethaw Hill (36)
HuMPs (2168S - 2975E,W&S)
Walkers - Steve Smith
Accommodation - Bush of Ewes Farm, Langholme C&CC Certified Site
Start Point - Various (see maps below)
Finish Point - Various (see maps below)
Total Duration - 5hrs 48mins
Overall Average pace - 1.93mph
Total Distance Walked - 11.17 miles
Total Height Ascended - 1028.17metres
Peaks visited
Marilyns (1218S - 1556E,W&S)
Calkin Rig (87S - 329E,W&S)
Grange Fell (88S - 330E,W&S)
Pikethaw Hill (89S - 331E,W&S)
Donald Deweys (248S)
Pikethaw Hill (36)
HuMPs (2168S - 2975E,W&S)
Calkin Rig (102S - 419E,W&S)
Grange Fell (103S - 420E,W&S)
Pikethaw Hill (104S - 421E,W&S)
TUMP[4]s (1293S - 2050E,W&S)
NONE
Grange Fell (103S - 420E,W&S)
Pikethaw Hill (104S - 421E,W&S)
TUMP[4]s (1293S - 2050E,W&S)
Calkin Rig
TUMP[3]s (2407S - 2050E,W&S)
Historic County Tops (413E - 93E,W&S)TUMP[3]s (2407S - 2050E,W&S)
Grange Fell
NONE
S: Scotland
E,W&S:England,Wales & ScotlandCalkin Rig
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| Pass above byre at Calkin just before Calkin Sike. Calkin Rig ahead in trees.
Click on photograph to view slide-show
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GPX can be downloaded from www.shareyouradventure.com |
Plan was to start in Hopsrigg but found good parking on grass verge near farm track just north of Bombie cottages (NY 31861 88846). Anti-clockwise route past Calkin byre then head up NE ridge to summit, rather than steeper route planned up east boundary of plantation consuming Clakin Rig summit. Summit is on fire break about 20m past first fb junction when approached from ESE plantation boundary corner. Returned by following fence to Shaw Hill and picking up track used for ascent.. Nice easy start to days walking in warm spring sunshine.
Grange Fell
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| Looking down Caruthers Fell at walks finish during descent from Grange Fell
Click on photograph to view slide-show
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GPX can be downloaded from www.shareyouradventure.com |
Turned up at start point last night after 6 hour drive from Suffolk but somehow did not fancy it. Must be losing my resolve, but at least could survey parking for start point. Only problem was today space was taken at identified point near road junction to the east by lorry on driver break, so parked off road further south towards Carruthers Bridge (NY 25230 81189). Seems a better place as forces a more gentle ascent along ATV track. Went through gate near plantation but found hole in wall on descent and found easier ground on south side of wall. Either way a bushwack through for rest to summit and trig pillar and post in clearing. Look for a break in trees for easier time.
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| Access to fell towards Eweslees. Pikethaw Hill beyond and to the left
Click on photograph to view slide-show
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GPX can be downloaded from www.shareyouradventure.com |
Parked in layby on A7 north of farm entrance then walked back to farm for access to fell. Plan was to go on to Wisp Hill but as was first walk of trip decided on steep ascent up Fordham Height via Peach Hill that would come back another day for this. Any doubt I might change my mind was dashed when hail driven by cold north westerly which changed to fast settling snow at summit confirmed the revised plan. Followed fence and boundary from summit to Ewes Doors then straight forward descent to farm and back along A7 to van.
Day 02 Tuesday 25 April 2017
Belling Hill
1.02 miles, 56.93m ascent, Start Point:-Layby near forrest track to Falside (NT 64392 11435),Finish Point:-Layby near forrest track to Falside (NT 64392 11435), Start Time-11:21am, Finish Time-11:53am, Duration-0 hours 32 minute, Average pace-1.91mph
Easy one for first of day. Up forest track from Falside then right at fire break which is now a junction between established plantation on right and newer one on left. Left at forest wall boundary and summit is on raised area just to left of first bend in wall to the right. Descended by more direct route to the SE that was apparently more difficult to spot on the way up.
Rubers Law
2.32 miles, 251.00m ascent, Start Point:-Grass verge near field entrance due west of Billerwell (NT 59557 15473), Finish Point:-Grass verge near field entrance due west of Billerwell (NT 59557 15473),Start Time-12:43pm, Finish Time-13:54pm, Duration-1 hour 11 minutes, Average pace-1.96mph
Parked on road to east of summit due west of Billerwell Farm (NT59556 15472). Follow farm track as far as it goes then followed wall to fort and on to summit.Descended by SE route.
Wisp Hill
4.77 miles, 510.49m ascent, Start Point:-Layby on A7 NE of Eweslees farm entrance (NY 39213 97661), Finish Point:-Layby on A7 NE of Eweslees farm entrance (NY 39213 97661), Start Time-14:50pm, Finish Time-17:35pm, Duration-2 hours 45 minutes, Average pace-1.73mph
Parked in same layby (NY39225 97631) used yesterday to go up Pikethaw Hill. Snow storm yesterday just before Pikethaw Hill is reason having to do Wisp Hill today. Ascended via Whin Fell, but snow storm similar to yesterday required me to lay up for 15 minutes just before Wisp Hill to shelter from driving snow. Then went on to Comb Hill which I would not have done if done yesterday, so a bonus Donald Dewey completed as well.
Day 03 Wednesday 26 April 2017
Goseland Hill
1.33 miles, 191.93m ascent, Start Point:-Quarry at base of Oak Brae (NT 07232 34407), Finish Point:-Quarry at base of Oak Brae (NT 07232 34407), Start Time-13:32pm, Finish Time-14:27am, Duration-0 hours 55 minute, Average pace-1.45mph
Ample parking at farm track entrance opposite Mitchell Hill Farm. Straight up 45° slope up Oak Brae for approx 400 then vere left along ridge to summit and trig pillar. Back down same way.
Lamington Hill
3.10 miles, 273.39m ascent, Start Point:-Roadside parking on Nips Road opposite phonebox in Lamington (NS 98021 31082), Finish Point:-Roadside parking on Nips Road opposite phonebox in Lamington (NS 98021 31082), Start Time-14:38pm, Finish Time-16:09pm, Duration-1 hour 31 minutes, Average pace-2.04mph
Street parking on Nips Road. Straight up and down through plantation then on to open fell. Stopped off on way north to Isle of Skye.
Walk Statistics
Walk Date - 25 April 2017
Walkers - Steve Smith
Accommodation - Gibson Park Caravan Club Site, Melrose
Total Duration - 4hrs 28mins
Overall Average pace - 1.82mph
Total Distance Walked - 8.11 miles
Total Height Ascended - 818.42metres
Peaks visited
Marilyns (1218S - 1556E,W&S)
Belling Hill (90S - 332E,W&S)
Rubers Law (91S - 333E,W&S)
Wisp Hill (92S - 334E,W&S)
Donald Deweys (248S)
Wisp Hill (37)
Comb Hill (38)
HuMPs (2168S - 2975E,W&S)
Walkers - Steve Smith
Accommodation - Gibson Park Caravan Club Site, Melrose
Start Point - Various (see maps below)
Finish Point - Various (see maps below)Total Duration - 4hrs 28mins
Overall Average pace - 1.82mph
Total Distance Walked - 8.11 miles
Total Height Ascended - 818.42metres
Peaks visited
Marilyns (1218S - 1556E,W&S)
Belling Hill (90S - 332E,W&S)
Rubers Law (91S - 333E,W&S)
Wisp Hill (92S - 334E,W&S)
Donald Deweys (248S)
Wisp Hill (37)
Comb Hill (38)
HuMPs (2168S - 2975E,W&S)
Belling Hill (105S - 422E,W&S)
Rubers Law (106S - 423E,W&S)
Wisp Hill (107S - 424E,W&S)
TUMP[4]s (1293S - 2050E,W&S)
NONE
Rubers Law (106S - 423E,W&S)
Wisp Hill (107S - 424E,W&S)
TUMP[4]s (1293S - 2050E,W&S)
Rubers Law
TUMP[3]s (2407S - 2050E,W&S)
Historic County Tops (413E - 93E,W&S)TUMP[3]s (2407S - 2050E,W&S)
Belling Hill
NONE
S: Scotland
E,W&S:England,Wales & ScotlandBelling Hill
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| Belling Hill summit is a small cairn south of wall corner
Click on photograph to view slide-show
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| GPX can be downloaded from www.shareyouradventure.com |
Easy one for first of day. Up forest track from Falside then right at fire break which is now a junction between established plantation on right and newer one on left. Left at forest wall boundary and summit is on raised area just to left of first bend in wall to the right. Descended by more direct route to the SE that was apparently more difficult to spot on the way up.
Rubers Law
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| Looking north at Rubers Law trig pillar can see storm heading straight for us. Time to get off the hill
Click on photograph to view slide-show
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GPX can be downloaded from www.shareyouradventure.com |
Parked on road to east of summit due west of Billerwell Farm (NT59556 15472). Follow farm track as far as it goes then followed wall to fort and on to summit.Descended by SE route.
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| Unseasonably snowy for late April on Wisp Hill after sitting out snow storm just off summit on south
Click on photograph to view slide-show
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GPX can be downloaded from www.shareyouradventure.com |
Parked in same layby (NY39225 97631) used yesterday to go up Pikethaw Hill. Snow storm yesterday just before Pikethaw Hill is reason having to do Wisp Hill today. Ascended via Whin Fell, but snow storm similar to yesterday required me to lay up for 15 minutes just before Wisp Hill to shelter from driving snow. Then went on to Comb Hill which I would not have done if done yesterday, so a bonus Donald Dewey completed as well.
Day 03 Wednesday 26 April 2017
Walk Statistics
Walk Date - 26 April 2017
Walkers - Steve Smith
Accommodation - Glenloin House Campsite
Total Duration - 2hrs 26mins
Overall Average pace - 1.82mph
Total Distance Walked - 4.43 miles
Total Height Ascended - 465.32metres
Peaks visited
Marilyns (1218S - 1556E,W&S)
Goseland Hill (93S - 335E,W&S)
Lamington Hill (94S - 336E,W&S)
Donald Deweys (248S)
NONE
HuMPs (2168S - 2975E,W&S)
Walkers - Steve Smith
Accommodation - Glenloin House Campsite
Start Point - Various (see maps below)
Finish Point - Various (see maps below)Total Duration - 2hrs 26mins
Overall Average pace - 1.82mph
Total Distance Walked - 4.43 miles
Total Height Ascended - 465.32metres
Peaks visited
Marilyns (1218S - 1556E,W&S)
Goseland Hill (93S - 335E,W&S)
Lamington Hill (94S - 336E,W&S)
Donald Deweys (248S)
NONE
HuMPs (2168S - 2975E,W&S)
Goseland Hill (108S - 425E,W&S)
Lamington Hill (109S - 426E,W&S)
TUMP[4]s (1293S - 2050E,W&S)
NONE
Lamington Hill (109S - 426E,W&S)
TUMP[4]s (1293S - 2050E,W&S)
Goseland Hill
Lamington Hill
Historic County Tops (413E - 93E,W&S)Lamington Hill
NONE
S: Scotland
E,W&S:England,Wales & ScotlandGoseland Hill
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| Goseland Hill summit and trig Pillar towards Tinto on the right
Click on photograph to view slide-show
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| GPX can be downloaded from www.shareyouradventure.com |
Ample parking at farm track entrance opposite Mitchell Hill Farm. Straight up 45° slope up Oak Brae for approx 400 then vere left along ridge to summit and trig pillar. Back down same way.
Lamington Hill
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Cowgill Lower Reservoir from Lamington Hill
Click on photograph to view slide-show
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GPX can be downloaded from www.shareyouradventure.com |
Street parking on Nips Road. Straight up and down through plantation then on to open fell. Stopped off on way north to Isle of Skye.
Day 04 Thursday 27 April 2017
Day 05 Friday 28 April 2017
Meall Mor and Glas Bheinn
Moving day to Sligachen Bunkhouse, but first meet up with Jon Glew at Tyndrum Information office car park.
I had looked for a couple of Marilyns that we could pick off on the way up and had identified Meall Mor and Glas Bheinn either side of the A82 acting as gateposts to Rannoch Moor. The only thing was I was not sure if Jon would be up for it after his long drive up from Wiltshire. Now I know him better maybe I should have suggested a Munro with half a dozon "minor" TUMPs tagged on at the end.
Parking on rough gravel at the side of the A82 normally used by service vehicles for the radio mast half way up Meall Mor, we set off up the grassy hillside chatting about what lie is store for us on the Isle of Skye. In no time we were on the summit looking at what we thought was an obvious TUMP to the NW that did not appear to be on the hill-bagging website. It was but we (I) had not hit the correct link. So off we goes and bags Meall Beag giving it a good old visual survey and standing on every possible high point to report this "new" TUMP. On the way back we visited the memorial to Ron Harvey and also on the way back to Meall Mor the lower Meall Mor cairn.
So far so good loads of subsidiary points visited. From Meall Mor we viewed the best route for Glas Bheinn on the other side of the A82 and headed straight for it climbing over plantation deer fences and up on to the ridge before turning left, climbing over every conceivable high point and spot height on the way to Glas Bheinn cairn and high point on the rock just after, returning more or less the same way and back to the vehicles at the SE base of Meall Mor.
Not a long walk but a good intro to the bagging we will be sharing over the next 10 days, visiting loads of extra TUMPs (not to mention trigs and bench marks) managing at least one Marilyn on every day without any rest days.
After 3 good days Marilyn bagging in area 28A the plan was to go up the Munro Ben Ime and the Corbett Beinn Luibhean. Having settled in to Glenloin campsite, Arrochar Rob Woodall had posted on facebook that Alan Whatley would be completing his GB mainland Humps on A'Chrois so not wanting to miss the opportunity to share such a momentous achievement with Alan, not to mention the free whiskey I changed my plan and decided to meet him in the cafe next morning. This is written up on a separate page Beinn Narnain and Alan Whatleys final GB mainland HuMP.
Day 05 Friday 28 April 2017
Walk Statistics
Walk Date - 25 April 2017
Walkers - Steve Smith
Accommodation - Glenloin House Campsite
Start Point - Various (see maps below)
Finish Point - Various (see maps below)
Total Duration - 2hrs 56mins
Overall Average pace - 1.67mph
Total Distance Walked - 4.89 miles
Total Height Ascended - 524.45metres
Peaks visited
Marilyns (1218S - 1556E,W&S)
Meall Mor (96S - 338E,W&S)
Glas Bheinn (97S - 339E,W&S)
Highland Five (771S)
Glas Bheinn (4)
HuMPs (2168S - 2975E,W&S)
Walkers - Steve Smith
Accommodation - Glenloin House Campsite
Start Point - Various (see maps below)
Finish Point - Various (see maps below)
Total Duration - 2hrs 56mins
Overall Average pace - 1.67mph
Total Distance Walked - 4.89 miles
Total Height Ascended - 524.45metres
Peaks visited
Marilyns (1218S - 1556E,W&S)
Meall Mor (96S - 338E,W&S)
Glas Bheinn (97S - 339E,W&S)
Highland Five (771S)
Glas Bheinn (4)
HuMPs (2168S - 2975E,W&S)
Meall Mor (112S - 429E,W&S)
Glas Bheinn (113S - 430E,W&S)
TUMP[4]s (1293S - 2050E,W&S)
NONE
Glas Bheinn (113S - 430E,W&S)
TUMP[4]s (1293S - 2050E,W&S)
Meall Mor
Meall Beag
Historic County Tops (413E - 93E,W&S)Meall Beag
NONE
S: Scotland
E,W&S:England,Wales & ScotlandMeall Mor and Glas Bheinn
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Memorial to Ronald Harvey (died 01 Dec 1962)
looking north across Rannoch Moor
Click on photograph to view slide-show
|
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GPX can be downloaded from |
I had looked for a couple of Marilyns that we could pick off on the way up and had identified Meall Mor and Glas Bheinn either side of the A82 acting as gateposts to Rannoch Moor. The only thing was I was not sure if Jon would be up for it after his long drive up from Wiltshire. Now I know him better maybe I should have suggested a Munro with half a dozon "minor" TUMPs tagged on at the end.
Parking on rough gravel at the side of the A82 normally used by service vehicles for the radio mast half way up Meall Mor, we set off up the grassy hillside chatting about what lie is store for us on the Isle of Skye. In no time we were on the summit looking at what we thought was an obvious TUMP to the NW that did not appear to be on the hill-bagging website. It was but we (I) had not hit the correct link. So off we goes and bags Meall Beag giving it a good old visual survey and standing on every possible high point to report this "new" TUMP. On the way back we visited the memorial to Ron Harvey and also on the way back to Meall Mor the lower Meall Mor cairn.
So far so good loads of subsidiary points visited. From Meall Mor we viewed the best route for Glas Bheinn on the other side of the A82 and headed straight for it climbing over plantation deer fences and up on to the ridge before turning left, climbing over every conceivable high point and spot height on the way to Glas Bheinn cairn and high point on the rock just after, returning more or less the same way and back to the vehicles at the SE base of Meall Mor.
Not a long walk but a good intro to the bagging we will be sharing over the next 10 days, visiting loads of extra TUMPs (not to mention trigs and bench marks) managing at least one Marilyn on every day without any rest days.