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I am overweight, unfit, approaching a significant birthday and can't afford the Maserati mid-life crisis that I had planned so I've decided to become a hillwalker instead. My daily commute to "work" is the distance from the main bedroom to what I call the "The Nerve Centre" and the rest of the family call the "wee bedroom". Being based from home has it's perks but unsurprisingly access to exercise is not one of them. 2 or three trips up and down the stairs doesn't really cut it and the pedometer I have is unsure what to do when it gets to 300. Walking through airports with a bag on wheels is about as physical as it gets for me so I'm not starting with a great deal of core fitness.
Time to change all of that.
I've progressed quite quickly from buying walking magazines, visiting outdoor equipment websites and buying the essentials and not-so-essentials to the point where I felt ready to tackle a proper walk. A bit of googling and I found this site. A further bit of searching led me to this walk. Not too much ascent, reasonable paths and not too far from home. Perfect. I had a couple of false starts due to weather and other diversionary tactics but today was the day my new life as a hillwalker (novice) began.
Off I went for the reasonably short drive to the Holl Reservoir.from Dunfermline or "Edinburgh North" as I believe the real locals call the area where I live. On with the boots, checked I had everything, strapped on the backpack then had a rest before setting off. I know my body and I know how to pace myself.
- East Lomond across Ballo
Then I hit my first snag. The first 'kissing gate' beyond the car park was quite narrow and I couldn't fit through with my backpack on. My first instinct was to go back home , go on-line and buy a slimmer backpack but this was supposed to be a new start for me so I gritted my teeth took a deep breath, took the backpack off and negotiated the gate. Flushed with success at overcoming my first obstacle I marched on up the path. It wasn't long before I was starting to enjoy the silence and taking in the views. For the first hour I didn't see a soul then I saw a runner heading towards me. A runner ? I was togged up like I was heading for Everest Basecamp and here was a runner. He was going downhill so it was obviously easier than what I was doing. I told myself. Several times.
The good path ran out at the Harperleas Reservoir then I found myself in the muddy stuff along Glen Vale. It wasn't too bad and didn't last too long but I was cheered up by seeing two cyclists ahead in glorious lycra. If I thought I was making slow progress I was still going quicker than them. Their legs were circling like fury but the wheels weren't going at anywhere like the same rate. I think they were actually pushing the bikes at first but when they saw me they got back on and started pedalling. If you venture out in fluorescent lycra I guess you don't want to be seen pushing your bike no matter what. I congratulated myself on becoming a hillwalker rather than a cyclist. I'm not sure I'd suit lycra.
- Looking down Glen Vale
I turned to start climbing up the hill. I wish I could say that the cyclists disappeared into the distance but the brightness of the lycra had burned an image into my eyeballs which I'm still trying to get rid off now. I think I'll research sun glasses before my next walk purely on health grounds.
- The route up the hill
The route to the crest of Bishop Hill was easy enough to follow but my lack of fitness was beginning to tell. Did I mention my bad back ? When the views opened up and I could see down across Loch Leven I forgot all about the exertions . I was grinning from ear to ear as I took in the view. I have climbed a few hills before in the distant past and I've always loved that thrill when a view opens up. This brought those feelings back and I knew then that I need to do more of this on a more regular basis.
- Loch Leven from Bishop Hill
Once on the plateau I took some time to explore. I'd done a wee bit of research before heading up so I knew Carlin Maggie was something I wanted to see up close. The legend goes that the devil turned the witch Maggie into stone because she was annoying him leaving the stone pinnacle that sits below the cliff edge to the west. They may well have had 40ft witches back in the day so who am I to cast doubt on that one. I planned to have a cuppa by the cairn at the summit but it was a bit breezy and cold with some snow blowing in the wind so I dropped back down and headed back along the route towards the old quarry. There I rooted around amongst a pile of rocks and found a few fossils. The summit used to be the part of the sea bed so there are plenty of things to be found in the rocks.
- Carlin Maggie
- The cairn shot
- Fossilised plant stems - I think
After a wee rest it was then time to make the trek back to car. This was fairly straightforward though for someone unfit like me the long straight road leading away from the hill felt like it was never going to end. I eventually reached the car tired but feeling good. I'll sleep tonight.
- Bishop Hill - I did that.
I thought this walk would be a means to an end in starting me on the path to getting myself fitter but I really enjoyed it as well.
Now, what's next ?
