Mumpty in the Pentlands

[weedavie]

I was feeling put upon. Circumstances, weather, a heavy cold, visitors, had kept me from the big hills while mates were on them and sent pictures to prove it. Sniffling on Allermuir and looking to a snowy Cruach Ardrain did not compete with the feelings of those I knew were on Cruach Ardrain and looking back.

Anway in no great frame of mind I cycled up to Bavelaw and headed for East Cairn, which I'd not been on this year. The final slope up from the reservoir is a bit of a bastard and did not improve my outlook.

There's nothing too great about the track to the Borestane, just the knowledge that it's massively better than tackling the heather. On the messy slope up to East Cairn, I met a young south Asian lad. I don't know whether he was immigrant or tourist, his english wasn't that great, but he was on the undaunted side. He'd started in West Linton and crossed a number of tops including West Cairn. He was heading over Scald Law to Flotterstone. Admiration was due. His only complaint was a boot that had gone fully under water, but that's East Cairn for you.

At the summit of East Cairn, which seemed to be marked by two stones that had come from the wall, I took a photo.

Somehow it didn't compare with those I had been pestered with.

I didn't go on to the cairn. Heading back I saw a pair of Hen Harriers, which momentarily lifted my spirits.

Trudging across Kitchen Moss (I've looked that up, I didn't know or care at the time) I encountered three sheep. At first they were across the wall, but inside the wire and were panicking away from me. Then they were reteating from me down the inside of the wall. Rather than drive them to Red Road, I cut in to the moor to go round them. It was a hell of moss, heather and bog holes. I was achieving about two kph and went down two holes, the second of which gave me my boot under water experience. I cut sharply back to the wall as soon as I passed the sheep. Looking back I had headly left East Cairn.

The path onward was uninspiring but way better than the moor.

At last Red Gate.

I don't like the improvements thay've made to the track but somehow today they were welcome and it was twenty minutes to the bike.

OK, it was a 20k cycle home, but I'd a 300 metre height advantage. Onward and downward!

[ghdnotcutt]

You're in luck, I'm stuck in Edinburgh for the next two weekends so no photos from me anyway.

[past my sell by date]

A nice part of the Pentlands - you don't see many people, but it feels a long way over Kitchen Moss until you reach the Red Gate. I usually park at the corner before Bavelaw Mill Farm and take the nice grassy track up from Listonshiels - stable cottage on your map

[weedavie]

I usually park at the corner before Bavelaw Mill Farm and take the nice grassy track up from Listonshiels - stable cottage on your map

I've looked at your description of getting on to the green track. That's always kind of bamboozled me because I've properly gone round the farm, but launched myself onto moorland too early. As I've noted, it's not an easy way of travelling. I'll take your tip and have another shot next year.

[past my sell by date]

I usually park at the corner before Bavelaw Mill Farm and take the nice grassy track up from Listonshiels - stable cottage on your map

I've looked at your description of getting on to the green track. That's always kind of bamboozled me because I've properly gone round the farm, but launched myself onto moorland too early. As I've noted, it's not an easy way of travelling. I'll take your tip and have another shot next year.

You go thru the metal gate immediately before the farm entrance, follow the stone wall round to the R, climb over a fence and then head diagonally across the field to the battered gate at the start of the track. It comes out right beside the two stones you mention

[past my sell by date]

Incidentally when going across Kitchen Moss I got bored, crossed the wall at a gap and headed straight down. With two poles descending deep heather is quite manageable - I then headed for the gate that leads out on to the road - trying to avoid what I call "The Great Grimpen Mire (shaded). I've been up to my knees twice there - but my own fault- the map clearly shows streams