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Finally the weather lives up to the forecast, what a great day.
I parked in the lay-by just before the bridge to Hearthstane Farm heading south on the A701. The first part of this route follows the access track that runs up through the forest onto the northwest shoulder of Broad Law. The track is quite steep in places, but is in good condition. There's been some felling which gives great views.
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- Looking west to Great Knock.
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- Looking east to Culter Fell.
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- Talla Cleuch Head and Mathieside Cairn.
Once on the open hillside I continued to follow the track up to the NATS beacon near the summit of Broad Law.
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- NATS Talla Beacon on Broad Law.
There was a slight breeze on the summit, but it was gloriously sunny. I stopped and had some food before setting off for my second summit of the day - Talla Cleuch Head. Heading south I followed the quad bike tracks beside the fence to Cairn Law.
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- Talla Cleuch Head and the ridge back down the valley.
From Cairn Law I headed west and then northwest onto the summit of Talla Cleuch Head. There were some great views south to Garelet Dod and Talla Reservoir.
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- Games Hope Burn and Garelet Dod.
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- Talla Reservoir.
After stopping to admire the views I head northwest following the ridge over Snout Hill and Manyleith Head to Hog Hill (what great names). I was rewarded with one last view of Culter Fell before I dropped back down to Hearthstane Farm and the car.
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- Culter Fell.
All in all a great day's walking. By starting early, I was walking by 8:15am, I definitely got the best of the weather. By the time I got back to the car the cloud was building and the breeze had picked up a bit. This is a simple route, which would be suitable for beginners. The second half of the walk, from Broad Law onwards, could get quite boggy.
