Time for Reflection - Border's Escapism!

[dooterbang]

Last week whilst doing Luibhean & Ime from Butterbridge Kerri burst her head, just above her left eye, whilst nearing the end of the walk. She slipped on wet rock when crossing the river! A trip to the hospital on route home was required and 3 stitches closed the wound...was a tad cold for a swim as I recall

Unperturbed we were back out in the hills this weekend. Decided to follow the weather so headed to the Borders to nab a Corbett and a few Donald's. Icy conditions on the M74 meant detours and traffic jams so we arrived at Meggets Stone hours later than anticipated meaning we would cut the walk short for safety reasons. Incredible the amount of overturned cars, jackknifed lorries & vans in ditches up and down the M74 - I hope no one was seriously injured.

The first thing to strike us whilst driving to Meggets Stone was the beautiful reflections coming from the Talla Resevoir.








It's difficult to pinpoint the water in this shot!


Fantastic images just before starting the walk. We also managed to get the only parking spot next to the stone

Broad law is easily reached by following the fence line North for 4k.




The track was covered in ice and some light snow, an opportunity to stick the Yaktrax on the 3 season boots - they worked very well.






Soon the summit is reached and before you lies the strange structure of an air traffic control beacon! The beacon is one of a global network of VHF Omnidirectional Radio Range stations set up as a radio navigation system for aircrafts. With the coating of snow and atmospheric conditions it felt much more part of a James Bond Film set in the deepest darkest corners of Russia's wilderness

The Summit




Spot the Beacon!




Beacon - In full glory!






Interesting structure which you'll either love or hate - we rather liked it.

Decided to head back down and take in the Donald Talla Cleuch Head. We hoped this would provide great views down the Talla Reservoir...

Talla Cleuch Head...erm straight ahead!




We quickly reached the summit which opened up the views down the reservoir.








The mist and light creating some strange shapes, or maybe it was spirits






Sat here and had a bite to eat taking in the atmospheric misty views.

Heading back we followed a brilliant sheep's path that contoured 50M below the ridge line all the way to Fans Law.

Easy now - watch that head of yours!


Got back to the car and drove back out via the single track...had to stop for some more photos though...

Talla Reservoir




Water Board Building on the Talla Reservoir - and more reflections.








Very enjoyable walk with some striking imagery, an area to revisit. Some good fun to be had on the smaller hills

Kerri kept her head, intact!

With all the traffic chaos we decided to take the route back home through the "shire"...scarier than any mountain

Our route

our_route.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

Photos of Ime last week
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.673542442666008.1073741865.100000307757280&type=1&l=1fe7dd410b

[Collaciotach]

Grand stuff , did not know the Sooth was so bonnie

[dickens96]

Wow looks great - must get down there soon

[PeteR]

Superb photos Great effects

A good little Corbett Broad Law Shame you had to cut your walk down, as the trip taking in the other Donalds is great

[Gavsco]

Excellent pics, very atmospheric! Must get back up there as I couldn't see a thing the last time!

[BlackPanther]

Wow, wish I was so lucky catching reflections
Another C hill that proves - less is more sometimes, especially in winter conditions.
We were out corbeteering last Saturday, too, having fixed the car eventually. No summit views due to cloud, but I could already smell X-mass, walking in knee-deep snow.
Cheers

[kevsbald]

V nice.

[dooterbang]

Grand stuff , did not know the Sooth was so bonnie

Me too

Superb photos Great effects

A good little Corbett Broad Law Shame you had to cut your walk down, as the trip taking in the other Donalds is great

I read your report before heading to Broad law and was basically doing your route. Maybe next time.

[pigeon]

Aye,smashing pics as usual dooter,another place i've not been

[scottishkennyg]

Some grand images there..well done

[malky_c]

Cheers - already got a long day planned through this area and you've shown me another summit I need to visit for the view down Megget Reservoir .

Lovely photos - didn't imagine you heading for these hill for some reason.

[rockhopper]

Missed this first time round dooters - some stunning photos ! Have been looking at some of these hills for possible winter trips so this will come in handy - cheers

[Johnny Corbett]

Aye it's no bad down that way, quite as well.

[Sarah86]

Stunning photos, I love the first set of reflections ad the mist ones really have a dramatic feel.

[Malckyb]

Brilliant pics..great report.