The Ettrick Horseshoe.
Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 12:02 am
As is usual for this time of year, WJ and I headed out for a pre xmas jaunt up the hills. A chance to celebrate, stretch the legs, and take advantage of the stunning forecast.
We headed up on the Saturday afternoon. After a stop in Innerliethen, we headed up to the road end parking at the turning spot just above Potburn Farm. A bit of a nostalgic trip, as we had last been here on foot, having passed when walking from Moffat over to St Mary's Loch when we were doing the Southern Upland Way.
As it was our end of year trip, a wee celebration took place, together with some map revision.
It was a cold night outside, but we thought we'd head down the track to Over Pawhope Bothy, where we'd previously stayed over. There was one occupant and a cracking fire on the go. We shared a beer then headed back along the track.
We stopped in and had a look around the unoccupied farmhouse at Potburn. It had been lived in only two years previous, but abandoned after folk broke in and stripped out the copper, forcing the farmer to abandon it's restoration and build a new place further up the Glen.
It was a seriously cold night outside. The old Camel had a good covering of ice when we got up. It was, of course, roasting inside the van!
Looking down to Potburn Farm.
As is usual down in the Borders, walkers are well catered for and the signs led the way up through the woods.
We headed up to Bodesbeck Law.
It was a great day as we reached this first hill.
From here, it's simply a case of following the boundary shown on the map, often following an old dry stane dyke.
We finally made it round to our last hill, Ettrick Pen.
Heading down off the hills to Over Pawhope, some cracking views.
We arrived back at the bothy, and followed the track back.
Arriving back at the carpark after a stunning day in the Southern Uplands.