Glen Sherup to Ben Cleugh Circular

[cbuchanan3]

With a cracking looking weather forecast and the opportunity of a good few hours out, it was time to get a route planned. Needed to be local and was keen to do a bit of something new so decided on heading over to Glendevon. Looking at the map thought a clockwise route from the Glen Sherup car park was a decent option with maybe adding on Kings Seat and/or Andrew Gannel depending upon time.

Set off from the car park and followed the forest path up the hill, glimpsing the reservoir to my right on the way. Was quite pleasant in the early morning sunshine once I’d popped out the trees and soon the arms were zipped off the top as I was already heating up a bit. Nearing the top of the track spotted the cairn at the side of it and the path leading into the woods, but was daydreaming and kept walking – 100 yards later and the penny dropped! There’s a short steep section through the trees which brings you out at the gate and then you start to get some fine views looking South. From there it’s a straight line up to the top of Innerdownie and as I got a wee bit higher some great views starting to open up. Made good progress and stopped briefly at the top to take some pics of the fabulous views, especially to the higher tops North which were peaking above the fog that hadn’t yet lifted there.

From here followed my planned route to Whitewisp which is nice and easy just following the fence line to the gate at the top, through that and only a very short walk from there to Whitewisp top. Right turn from there and then just followed the well trodden path to Tarmangie, again following the fenceline. Short stop for a quick bite to eat and a coffee and then where to go….looked over and thought I’d change the plan slightly and drop Kings Seat. Was fairly sure that I could get over Andrew Gannel and then onto Ben Cluech and then have a quick lunch break and still make it back in time to do the afternoon pick up! So got the head down and tramped on making good progress. Had taken just over 2 ½ hrs to get to Ben Cleugh and I’d been going at a fair clip, so was ready for my lunch, albeit again I didn’t stop for too long.

A quick look at the map and I could see there was a route that skirted Andrew Gannel and then onto Skythorn at which point I’d hang a left and go down the opposite side of Glen Sherup. Wind had picked up by now, although weather was still fine and clear. From Skythorn it’s a fairly straight route over Scad Hill and then down the shoulder and onto Ben Shee which is a prominent wee mound on the way back. By the time I hit that my legs were protesting a bit and pulled out the poles to help with getting up to the top! I was thinking I’d head straight down the steepish South side, but after 15 yards and almost going over on my ankle down a rut in the ground decided that I’d just go back and follow the path off the hill which would take me past the reservoir, but was only a few hundred meters to get back. Hopped over the fence to get onto the end of the reservoir and then picked up the forest track at the other side and follow back to the car park – made even better by bumping into someone on the way back who I hadn’t seen for about 25 years!!!!.

Cracking circular, made even better by the terrific weather and views. All in had taken just under 5 hours including stops as I was on the clock, but that was going a fair clip.