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We parked at the car park at the end of the Glen Afton Road, and followed the track by the Afton Water the rest of the way to the Afton Reservoir dam. In spite of the decent forecast it was rainy, though patches of blue sky to the south gave us hope it wasn't set in for the day.
We climbed the steps to the top of the dam, then headed south around the east side of the reservoir. The path was very boggy in places until it meets the track at the head of the reservoir.
- Following the Afton Water upstream to the reservoir
- Steps up to the top of the dam
- Walking along the east side of the reservoir
Turning east, the track ends abruptly. The track marked on the map is, from this point, a broad swath of turned earth following the line of the pylons. It was passable, especially as walkers have smoothed a path through most of it, but it was pretty industrial and uninspiring.
- Looking back at the head of the reservoir from the pylon path
After a mile or so of this we met the fence coming down from Blacklorg, and turned south-east to follow it up to Meikledodd Hill. Though it was a relief to get off the raw earth track, the rain got heavier and the wind picked up. We trudged in silence up to Meikledodd summit, marked by a single metal pole. There was no view to be had here due to the low cloud.
- Meikledodd summit, marked with a metal pole
We turned south-west and followed the fence down, and on up to Alwhat. Happily, the rain stopped and the sun came out for a bit, raising our spirits.
- Blacklorg Hlil (far right) and Blackcraig Hill behind it
- View over Afton Reservoir from Alwhat
From Alwhat we continued on to it's neighbour Alhang. The weather was still being changeable, but we got some decent views from today's Donald.
- Dodd Hill from Alhang summit
- Moorbrook Hill, Beninner and Cairnsmore of Carsphairn (left to right)
- Looking towards Windy Standard
We headed south down Alhang, and round the lower slopes of Alwhat, heading back to the head of the reservoir. We came down to the end of a track with an area of sheep pens. There was also an old blue fruit and veg van, now missing its cab and being used for storage, and looking incongruous in the surroundings.
- Heading back down to the reservoir
We took the track around the west side of the reservoir and back to the dam. Then the short walk back along to the car park.
- The Afton Water just south of the reservoir
- View across the reservoir from the west side
- Back at the dam
