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Exploring the Lammermuirs trail run

Exploring the Lammermuirs trail run


Postby trailrunner2024 » Tue Aug 27, 2024 12:27 am

Route description: Lammer Law and Hopes Reservoir

Sub 2000' hills included on this walk: Meikle Says Law

Date walked: 26/08/2024

Time taken: 3 hours

Distance: 25 km

Ascent: 1300m

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I live in Edinburgh, often run around East Lothian, and had recently been meaning to explore the Lammermuirs (partially inspired by some Walkhighlands report poetry https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=121795). I originally planned to run up to Lammer Law, following the suggested route, but ended out extending via Meikle Says Law. There was only a little bit of off-track required (see below).

As I arrived, Walkhighlands' suggestion of potential car parking challenges seemed logical given the fairly narrow roads and verges. I parked on the same road as suggested but earlier, outside the farm cottages at NT544651, before the end of the public road. I did notice a few cars at the end of the public road and I think there is probably room for 4-5 cars there.

In retrospect, the ascent Lammer Law typifies the route. It was a gradual ascent, with beautiful views over the Lothians, and in particular of Traprain Law, Bass Rock, and North Berwick, as well as more familiar views over the Firth of Forth and the Lomond Hills. The surrounding estate appears to be a fairly intensively managed grouse moor, carpeted in beautiful purple heather.

IMG_1659.jpeg


Navigating to Lammer Law was happily straightforward. At this point I decided to extend the route, following the double tracks towards Fallago Rig wind farm. I enjoyed seeing this pretty cabin (near Sheepfold on the 1:25k OS map).

IMG_1662.jpeg


Until the wind farm the tracks are pretty well maintained and easy to run on. At the wind farm I followed one of the access tracks which goes almost to Meikle Says Law. It's only a hundred metres or so between the end of the wind farm track and the track on the summit of Meikle Says Law (NT5761). I think it would be fairly easy to navigate even if obscured by weather or snow. The views from Meikle Says Law are essentially the same as from Lammer Law.

IMG_1663.jpeg


I had read some comments online that the wind farm spoiled the view. However, I am currently making my way through a book on Scotland's landscapes and I couldn't help but feel that the desolate managed grouse moor is really as much of a product of humankind as the wind farm. I really enjoyed the views within the wind farm and I think the turbines are quite beautiful (although a little unnerving to be underneath!).

It didn't seem possible to link up the Meikle Says Law track with the Harestone Law track which I would need to return via. A little bit more heather bashing was needed to cross the burn and narrow glen (NT5762). The heather is thick here but the ground didn't seem to be too boggy, and I was able to cross without much difficulty. I spotted a hare before leaving the track.

IMG_1673.jpeg


Now on the (metaphorical) final straight, I dropped down back to the tracks around the East Hopes steading and enjoyed more views of the more leafy flora growing lower in the valley. There were some signs requesting walkers don't use the track through Beech Wood (as marked on the 1:25k OS map). I finished up via the metalled road past Longyester steading.

Stopped at the very nice Humbie Hub farm shop on the way home (for some Hum-bee honey :)).
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Re: Exploring the Lammermuirs trail run

Postby JWCW2014 » Fri Aug 30, 2024 9:10 am

A lovely report - this is my local jaunt and I’m always slightly amazed (in spite of its bare emptiness and lack of features) that you can go down to the coast and be in throngs of people, or head up to the Lammermuirs and see not a soul most of the time.

I do hope one day in the distant future natural vegetation is allowed to return (other than heather)
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