free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
Second year in a row that I didn’t get to go the homeland in my Christmas holidays thanks to Covid
. But on the flipside without the (domestic) travel restrictions at least this holiday I should get to do some proper hillwalking, right?
Alas, so far it has been too windy, too wet, too foggy etc. for big hills. Typical!
This morning my other plans for today fell through. Could I perhaps finish 2021 on a (wee) high then? A late start and strong winds limited the choice somewhat, so Wether Law it was.
I parked in the new housing estate at Damside just off the A701 and followed the Cross Borders Drove Road. It is well marked and a very pleasant approach indeed.
- Cross Borders Drove Road marker
- Moor ahead
First it’s lovely countryside and once out of the woods you’re on the moor. It feels pretty remote, but it is not. The Fingland Burn had swollen considerably and the ford was not fordable. Jumping over the fast-flowing stream added some excitement.
- Fingland Burn
Onwards along the track and up the nose of Green Knowe. It was then a very enjoyable ridge walk. Not quite like Beinn Eighe
, but still lovely. There is an ATV track that goes all the way to the summit.
- Nearly there
- Summit view south
The wind had been behind me all the way up so it was only at the summit that I noticed how strong it was. Hence the walk down was a bit more laborious. The sun came out briefly and made the yellow grass light up with a golden glow. I just love it when it does that
.
- Golden glow (poorly captured)
Once back down the wind wasn’t an issue anymore. Another skip across the burn and then a pleasant walk back to the car.
- Back on the moor
- Back to civilisation
It’s a great walk in its own right. Ideal if you’re not going for just the ‘tick’ alone.
Best wishes for a healthy and happy 2022