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Three Donalds From Drumelzier

Three Donalds From Drumelzier


Postby jgregor » Tue Aug 16, 2022 12:00 am

Route description: Pykestone Hill and Drumelzier Law, Drumelzier

Donalds included on this walk: Drumelzier Law, Middle Hill, Pykestone Hill

Date walked: 14/08/2022

Time taken: 4.5 hours

Distance: 16.5 km

Ascent: 891m

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I thought twice about coming out at all, seeing the weather warnings for lightning. However, the forecast suggested this would be later on in the day, so I decided to go for it. Even so, leaving Edinburgh in thick fog had me fearing this would be another walk lost in the fog. But by the time I arrived in Drumelzier an hour later at the back of 9 it was blazing sunshine and looking like it would be a hot one. Which indeed it was.

I was following the WH guide for this hike, so I started off crossing the Drumelzier Burn at the car park, and then following it upstream, crossing twice more before leaving it and following the path south east up Den Knowes.

As a side note, if following the WH guide, the bridge mentioned at stage 2 is not the first one after the gate, but the second, not visible until further along the path. The first leads the wrong way into dense bracken, as I discovered.

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Crossing Drumelzier Burn


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The correct bridge


The path led up between two small plantations of pines, which was the last bit of shade I'd be able to enjoy for the whole walk!

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After that the track continued through the heather and grass, steadily rising in the blazing sun for over two miles. I was already concerned that I hadn't brought enough water for this! Thankfully a light breeze got up around Den Knowes Head which made the going considerably more bearable.

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Drumelzier Law


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Ascending Den Knowes


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View west from near the top of Pykestone Hill towards Tinto


Pykestone flattens out near the summit, and the path goes over an area that looks like it would normally be rather boggy, but was dry as a bone on this occasion.

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Pykestone Hill summit


The summit finally gained, I also visited the shepherd's cairn close by to the east, where the view over to the Dun Rig hills was better.

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Shepherd's cairn east of the summit


Then back over to the fence, which I followed southish over Grey Weather Law and on up to Long Grain Knowe, via another dried out bog.

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Path south over Grey Weather Law to Long Grain Knowe


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Even the famed Borders bogs can't survive this weather


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Then I turned west, still following the fence up onto the second Donald, Middle Hill. This was rather flat and featureless, and it was hard to discern the actual summit. I found a jumble of fenceposts I assumed was it, or near enough.

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The summit of Middle hill (or thereabouts)


From here it was north to Glenstivon Dod on the way to Drumelzier Hill.

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Drumelzier Law from Middle Hill


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Shepherd's cairn on Glenstivon Dod


From Glenstivon the path turned north-west down to a col, and from there the steepest section of the day up onto the top

of the domed Drumelzier Law.

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The lower SE cairn of Drumelzier Law


This felt like the main hill of the day, despite it being the lowest summit of the three. The views were excellent from here, especially to the west and north. Though being lower one couldn't see beyond Pykestone Hill to the east or Middle Hill to the south.

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View north-east from Drumelzier Law summit


After a spot of lunch, I continued on the path down the other side of Drumelzier Law, with good views up the Tweed to the south west.

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Looking south-west up the Tweed


It was another long stretch back down to the burn via Logan Head, from where the route I'd taken up to Pykestone was in view.

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Nearing the top of Logan Head


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View of the route up Pykestone


The path down Logan Head met the outward path at the bridge where I'd taken the wrong turn earlier. I took the time to dip my feet into the water at a pool by the bridge, then returned along the track back to the start.

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The magic door back to the car park


By the time the thunder, lightning and rain arrived, I was safely back home with a beer in hand :)
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jgregor
 
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Re: Three Donalds From Drumelzier

Postby rockhopper » Wed Aug 17, 2022 12:23 am

There's some good walking down here often, I think, a bit underrated.
Good day for it too to bring out the best of it - cheers :)
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rockhopper
 
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Re: Three Donalds From Drumelzier

Postby jgregor » Wed Aug 17, 2022 9:17 am

rockhopper wrote:There's some good walking down here often, I think, a bit underrated.
Good day for it too to bring out the best of it - cheers :)


Yeah it was a good clear day which I was glad of having been out in thick fog last weekend. Hot too - I passed a family and their 3 dogs taking a dip in the burn on they way back to the car :)
jgregor
 
Posts: 111
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Re: Three Donalds From Drumelzier

Postby cruachan06 » Wed Aug 17, 2022 9:14 pm

Looks like a lovely trip, it's one that's on my wish list. Given the cost of travelling at the moment I'll probably be hitting the local routes like this and Culter Fell next (currently back running seeing as I'd forgotten my entry to last year's Great Scottish Run had carried over, so no hill walking till that's done!)
cruachan06
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Re: Three Donalds From Drumelzier

Postby Anne C » Thu Aug 18, 2022 10:06 am

That is such a lovely round! And especially at this time of year when the heather is out - it's my abiding memory of the walk, the stunning purples and pinks and dark reds.The hills really do look amazing just now.I agree, very under-rated country, it's very beautiful.
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Anne C
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Re: Three Donalds From Drumelzier

Postby Gordie12 » Thu Aug 18, 2022 9:39 pm

Great walk this (did it last year in similar weather to you).

Only found the "magic door" when I got back to the car at the end!!
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Gordie12
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