Corserine and the Rhinns of Kells, troll country.
Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 4:31 pmSaturday 9 30 am our party of three arrived at the car park of the Forrest Lodge estate. Jolly nice car park it is too, even has picnic benches for you to sit and change your boots while the midgie picks and nicks.
Weather was overcast, cloud was low, a little drizzle and light rain was the order of the day. Still the MWIS was hopeful of a lift of the cloud in the afternoon.
Now lets show the rough guide route we took. As always do not use this for your GPS toys. I think you will see a slight off the standard route.....
You can clearly see we veered away past Forrest Lodge instead of taking the straight West route toward Fore Bush. Oops! First and only wrong path of the day really. Good to make an early error as after that we regularly checked our bearings.
Easily done in these forest paths as you lose reference points, trust your nose is going the right way, then you spot a Fire Truck and think hang on! This is not quite the right path.
From the map we could see where we were. The shape of the land open and clear. So we took the decision to cut across the open land toward roughly 536 870.
Okay maybe when I said first and only wrong path this perhaps may count as the second, But I promise after that it was fine!
On hindsight we may have been quicker walking back the forest paths. But intrepid explorers we were and went straight for the target!
Through fern, bracken, bog weed, boggy land, lumpy hilly clots of marshy grass, hidden rock underfoot. Some parts of this were not just up to our knees, or our thighs, or our chest, but about a foot above our heads in parts! A machete would have been handy but does not feature in the Swiss Army kit.
We managed through picking our way along tracks made by deer we presumed. Thankfully the gaiters and waterproofs were on. It was quite a hike over very rough lumpy ground.
Back onto the forest tracks we reset our bearings and now were on the path proper. No less muddy or wet than the foliage we had come through. We were also presented with some handy signs to reassure us walkers we were on the path to Corserine.
The signs do say deer fence. But when you actually emerge out the forest and see the fence, most deer would simply step over it. As did we and we were on our way up the hilly slopes.
The first push up onto the wide ridge well plateau really, is quite a steep path up. We were coming in and out of mist and cloud as the weather passed over us, only offering us glimpses of the fantastic views this walk offers.
We reached the top of Corserine at about ten minutes to one. Not too bad considering our adventurous detour.
The cloud was dipping over us and perhaps someone had already heard of us wandering off the beaten track and decided to help our progress by labelling the peaks for us.
Next targets were Millfire and Milldown. The cloud kept dropping and lifting. This presented those moments when looking ahead at a wall of grey suddenly gives way to the next rise and revealed that Millfire is indeed there in the mist.
After the again clearly labelled Millfire it was onward toward Milldown.
This is quite a nice walk over these hills and fairly straightforward as you follow tracks. Probably a small ATV or quad track.
On the way we met the owners of these hills.
And the route from Milldown toward Meikle Millyea is marked by a long dry stane dyke. In some places its very square and even, in others it has aged a lot.
Next in line was Meikle Millyea. On route we pass the Lochans of Auchniebut. On a day when the views are hidden a little there is still a lot to look out for. We were treated to the goats clashing heads on the rocky sides of Milldown and then to a nice display of weeds.
We reached Meikle Millyea and yes found that to be labelled too. The day was clearing up and fearing no more rain I shed the waterproofs as I had been cooking inside them most of the day. It was warm and with the ground boggy, wet, and slippery, in parts it was quite a trek.
We took in the two summits of Meikle Millyea then headed back homeward over the Meikle Lump.
The Meikle Lump is clad totally in gorgeous purple heather. I was hoping for a little sunshine to break to be able to capture its colour and show it off. But the best way is to go look. We reached the forest tracks again and headed back to the car park.
A great walk and a good day again. The markers on the peaks are to do with the Rhinns Of Kells Challenge which is a 17 mile route the web is telling me. I am not sure when this was on or if it is an annual event.
Finally.
On a tangent for those of you familiar with the movie, Trollhunter. You will know it is not a movie but a real life true documentary! It is not just in Norway where you can find the tell tale signs of Trolls.
We passed areas that look like quarries but where some Trolls have been seeking rocks to eat. We passed areas of forest damaged no doubt when Trolls have been captured. The area is covered with goats to feed and bait them.
The sign at the start of the walk warning people there after 8pm will be considered as missing.....
I suggest staying away from this area as the sun sets, there was clear evidence we were in Troll country...
Weather was overcast, cloud was low, a little drizzle and light rain was the order of the day. Still the MWIS was hopeful of a lift of the cloud in the afternoon.
- Bit of a blurry wet start
Now lets show the rough guide route we took. As always do not use this for your GPS toys. I think you will see a slight off the standard route.....
You can clearly see we veered away past Forrest Lodge instead of taking the straight West route toward Fore Bush. Oops! First and only wrong path of the day really. Good to make an early error as after that we regularly checked our bearings.
Easily done in these forest paths as you lose reference points, trust your nose is going the right way, then you spot a Fire Truck and think hang on! This is not quite the right path.
- Not entirely convinced how "rapid" a response it would be...
From the map we could see where we were. The shape of the land open and clear. So we took the decision to cut across the open land toward roughly 536 870.
Okay maybe when I said first and only wrong path this perhaps may count as the second, But I promise after that it was fine!
On hindsight we may have been quicker walking back the forest paths. But intrepid explorers we were and went straight for the target!
Through fern, bracken, bog weed, boggy land, lumpy hilly clots of marshy grass, hidden rock underfoot. Some parts of this were not just up to our knees, or our thighs, or our chest, but about a foot above our heads in parts! A machete would have been handy but does not feature in the Swiss Army kit.
We managed through picking our way along tracks made by deer we presumed. Thankfully the gaiters and waterproofs were on. It was quite a hike over very rough lumpy ground.
- There are creatures in the ferns, no it was only some off track walkers.
Back onto the forest tracks we reset our bearings and now were on the path proper. No less muddy or wet than the foliage we had come through. We were also presented with some handy signs to reassure us walkers we were on the path to Corserine.
- Track leading out the forest toward the deer fence.
The signs do say deer fence. But when you actually emerge out the forest and see the fence, most deer would simply step over it. As did we and we were on our way up the hilly slopes.
The first push up onto the wide ridge well plateau really, is quite a steep path up. We were coming in and out of mist and cloud as the weather passed over us, only offering us glimpses of the fantastic views this walk offers.
- Snack time and just a peek at the views from the slopes.
We reached the top of Corserine at about ten minutes to one. Not too bad considering our adventurous detour.
The cloud was dipping over us and perhaps someone had already heard of us wandering off the beaten track and decided to help our progress by labelling the peaks for us.
- The cairn of Corserine. Clearly labelled.
- Gratuitous walker in the mist photo at the trig point.
Next targets were Millfire and Milldown. The cloud kept dropping and lifting. This presented those moments when looking ahead at a wall of grey suddenly gives way to the next rise and revealed that Millfire is indeed there in the mist.
- Millfire. What is going on? Clearly labelled also.
After the again clearly labelled Millfire it was onward toward Milldown.
This is quite a nice walk over these hills and fairly straightforward as you follow tracks. Probably a small ATV or quad track.
On the way we met the owners of these hills.
- Guardians of the Rhinns of Kells.
And the route from Milldown toward Meikle Millyea is marked by a long dry stane dyke. In some places its very square and even, in others it has aged a lot.
- Milldown.......... yes clearly labelled.
Next in line was Meikle Millyea. On route we pass the Lochans of Auchniebut. On a day when the views are hidden a little there is still a lot to look out for. We were treated to the goats clashing heads on the rocky sides of Milldown and then to a nice display of weeds.
- A nice display at the Lochans.
We reached Meikle Millyea and yes found that to be labelled too. The day was clearing up and fearing no more rain I shed the waterproofs as I had been cooking inside them most of the day. It was warm and with the ground boggy, wet, and slippery, in parts it was quite a trek.
We took in the two summits of Meikle Millyea then headed back homeward over the Meikle Lump.
- The cairn (labelled) of Meikle Millyea
- The southern point of Meikle Millyea looking to Loch Dee.
- Heading back down looking back to Corserine in low cloud.
The Meikle Lump is clad totally in gorgeous purple heather. I was hoping for a little sunshine to break to be able to capture its colour and show it off. But the best way is to go look. We reached the forest tracks again and headed back to the car park.
A great walk and a good day again. The markers on the peaks are to do with the Rhinns Of Kells Challenge which is a 17 mile route the web is telling me. I am not sure when this was on or if it is an annual event.
Finally.
On a tangent for those of you familiar with the movie, Trollhunter. You will know it is not a movie but a real life true documentary! It is not just in Norway where you can find the tell tale signs of Trolls.
We passed areas that look like quarries but where some Trolls have been seeking rocks to eat. We passed areas of forest damaged no doubt when Trolls have been captured. The area is covered with goats to feed and bait them.
The sign at the start of the walk warning people there after 8pm will be considered as missing.....
I suggest staying away from this area as the sun sets, there was clear evidence we were in Troll country...
- Clear evidence of Trolls
- Probably a Tusseladd fight caused this damage....
- Machinery used in the clearance and capture of Trolls....
