Birkscairn and Dun Rig from The Glen

[jgregor]

I parked in the lay-by across from the Glen House Lodge on the minor road along The Glen. I'd been worried about finding a space, but I was first there, at the back of 9am. It was a lovely winter's morning - cold but clear, and not much wind, and the ground covered in frost. The Glen road forms part of the Cross Borders Drove Road which I would be following up into the hills. I continued along the road on foot until the drove route turned up a farm track, and I did likewise.

Continuing along The Glen road on foot

Frost still covering the ground

The height of horse fashion

At a T-junction in the track with left going up to Birks Farm, I followed the drove road to the right through a wooded area. Soon the track split in three, and I took the one to the left. This just led up to a small quarry area and this intriguing building...

Wrong turn leading to a secret bunker

Heading down the slope to the right I was soon back on the (correct) middle track. At the edge of a wood is a gate. Past this the main farm track continues to the right, and the drove road becomes a narrow, muddy path to the left, heading north-west up the edge of the wood. I took the left.

As the path gained height above Glass Burn it soon dried out. Past the wood it continued up the open hillside, with fine views opening up to the east and south.

A muddy bit of the Cross Borders Drove Road

The path became a track again, continuing up between Orchard Rig and Birks Hill, towards a corner of Cardrona Forest.

Just past that the track bends around the foot of Birks Hill to the south-west.

Shortly after that I left the drove road to follow a path running alongside a series of grouse butts up Birks Hill. The path was difficult to find lower down where the heather grew thicker. Further up it was more evident, and served as a decent route up to the top of Birks Hill.

View of Innerleithen and the Moorfoot Hills beyond

From there it was a short and easy walk along to the Donald Birkscairn Hill, where I had probably the best views of the day.

Birkscairn Hill summit

Dun Rig and Middle Hill(?)

Peebles, and the Pentland Hills beyond

Moorfoot Hills

From there I continued south-west on a path following the fence along to Stake Law.

Stake Law and Dun Rig

Looking east from Stake Law, with the Eildon Hills and The Cheviot in view?

The last hill for the day was Dun Rig. The path goes through a maze of peat hags. After that the path heads straight up to the trig point near the summit. Looking back I could see a couple of cyclists negotiating the hag assault course behind me - rather them than me! I made it to the trig point first, then continued a bit south-west to see the views on that side of Dun Rig.

Dun Rig trig

The cyclists soon caught up. I had rather hoped they would continue on their way so I could enjoy the views back at the trig too. However they tarried, and so I took my leave down the south-east side of Dun Rig. I followed a faint path for a bit, then just picked my way though more peat hags. Further down it was a mixture of grass and heather. Eventually I struck a path leading the rest of the way down.

Despite the sun being about as high as it gets in February, pockets of frost remain

Looking down on the far end of The Glen

At the bottom I reached Glenshiel Banks, at the far south-western end of The Glen. The difference in landscape - from the open hill to the close-cropped sheep pasture and woods - was notable.

Coming off the hill and into The Glen at its furthest point

"Far Shepherds"

I walked the couple of miles along the track through The Glen, past the sheep fields, woods and an area where logging had been taking place.

Bald's Wood

Eventually Glen House came into view.

Glen House

Shortly after, the track turns into a village, and become The Glen road. The village appears to have no name - I assume it grew up around the "big house" in times past.

"Village Hall"

I followed the road back to the car park by The Lodge.

"Kennels" - I wonder if the resident dogs keep their human in the little red outhouse?

Back to The Lodge - car park now full

[thedonalds]

Nice report, thanks. I recall the peat hags of Dun Rig very well! Best crossed when frozen. The area around Glen House and Loch Eddy remains one of my favourite places. The shorter circular walk using the last section of this report as a start then down to Loch Eddy and back by the lower valley track is a small joy.