Walkhighlands

Having technically made my personal Munro target for the year (25% completion at 71 ) I decided to take the weekend away from the high peaks, follow the weather forecast and head south to Peebles for some action amongst the Grahams and Donalds.

After a misty, foggy start, the weather turned out as forecast and the day was a cracker. The walk through the woodland along Haystoun Burn was quite misty, but as initial height was gained, heading up Craig Head, the mist was left below while the sun broke free above.

Its quite a trek to the first Donald on the round. Passing over the minor tops of Craig Head, Kailzie Hill and Kirkhope Law, you eventually reach the summit cairn of Birkscairn Hill. There's good views from here across the horseshoe and Birkscairn summit is visible from most of the way.

The walk then continues to follow a track across to Stake Law. The track from here up onto Dun Rig gets a bit lost amongst peat hags, but you can mostly make out the track ahead and the fenceline it follows. The summit of Dun Rig itself, the only Graham of the day, is capped with a trig point.

The route from Dun Rig across to the start of the climb up Glenrath Heights (Middle Hill) is pretty boggy. Today was dry and the peat was thick, so you could mostly walk straight across it. Although it did lure me in and a couple of places my boot disappeared in past the ankle. I wouldn't like to think what the ground would be like after a proper downpour.

Middle Hill (the third Donald on the day) itself didn't have much wow affect. So a couple of quick cairn photos and I was off on the short walk to Broom Hill and the out and back westward walk to Stob Law. The descent to the col is about 110m followed by 80m back up to the summit of Stob Law. Initially the height loss looked a lot more. Combined with the fact it basically needs done twice, it looked a lot of work for a Donald! But 20 minutes each way saw Stob Law (fourth and final Donald of the day) bagged and the route resumed.

The route continues on north to Hundleshope Heights, with its cairn and trig point. Its a great viewpoint for looking across to Peebles and the surrounding area. It seemed a shame it wasn't listed as a summit for bagging.

From Hundleshope the route descends down Dead Side and eventually into Glensax, leading back to Glen Road. It was a great round on some rolling hills of the Southern Uplands.

Since getting back I haven't checked to see if the forecasts for further north in the Munro areas of poor visibility and rain came to pass. Either way, I had a great day in Peebles!

Starting at the end of Glen Road


Bridge over Haystoun Burn


Haystoun Burn


Gaining height, looking towards the Peebles Hydro


View back over minor the tops


Cairn on Craig Head


Kailzie Hill cairn


Kirkhope Law cairn


The first Donald of the day, Birkscairn Hill


View from Birkscairn across to Stake Law with Dun Rig behind


Looking back up Birkscairn


Trig point at Dun Rig


View from Dun Rig


The climb up to Middle Hill, aka Glenrath Heights


Cairn on Middle Hill


Minuscule summit cairn on Stob Law


View back to Broom Hill from Door Hass


Cairn on Hundleshope Heights


Hundleshope Heights trig point with Peebles in the background


Looking down towards Waddenshope Burn


road back to the start and car

Good stuff its a nice walk this. I did it slightly differant as i cycled up the glen rather than the ridge route

Well done for reaching your 25% completion target!
What a great walk away from the big boys, a lovely area too. I very much like your pictures with the autumnal colours and mist low in the valleys. Thanks for sharing!

Great set of photos, esp those with the mist More recent trips down here have been for mountain biking - haven't been in the hills yet but certainly looks worth a trip - cheers

Never walked in this part of the world but this looks like a good winter trip - must stick it in the memory bank.

A lovely report and some smashing photographs. This was my first serious walk after I returned to Scotland and had a day like yours. Been up twice after - once in a biting cold wind and the next time in torrential rain. One thing I cannot understand is why people do it clockwise. I do it the other way around and get the long walk on the hard track and road over and done with first. Then the great finish is coming off Craig Head looking down into Peebles with the short walk out through Gypsy Glen.

Looking to do these hills in the next week or so, hope to get the weather and views that you managed...excellent pics!

Johnny Corbett wrote:Good stuff its a nice walk this. I did it slightly differant as i cycled up the glen rather than the ridge route

Cheers Johnny. Cycling in through Glensax would be a good option too, its a good looking area. Although I really enjoyed the ridge route, the hills are set quite far back from the start of the Glen, making the walk in and out quite long, but worth it. I noticed from your report that the Stob Law cairn has grown a little since your visit! There's at least half a dozen stones now hehe

Silverhill wrote:Well done for reaching your 25% completion target!
What a great walk away from the big boys, a lovely area too. I very much like your pictures with the autumnal colours and mist low in the valleys. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks Silverhill. It made a nice change, easy walking, rolling hills, half the driving time for Munro's and still getting great views

rockhopper wrote:Great set of photos, esp those with the mist More recent trips down here have been for mountain biking - haven't been in the hills yet but certainly looks worth a trip - cheers

They don't have the 'awe' value of the northern hills, but still have their own beauty thats worth the effort. I'm sure you could string a few togther for more epic adventures!

Gordie12 wrote:Never walked in this part of the world but this looks like a good winter trip - must stick it in the memory bank.

I think the southern hills are perfect for the shorter winter days. I'm sure I'll be back down there too!

ExpatEddie wrote:A lovely report and some smashing photographs. This was my first serious walk after I returned to Scotland and had a day like yours. Been up twice after - once in a biting cold wind and the next time in torrential rain. One thing I cannot understand is why people do it clockwise. I do it the other way around and get the long walk on the hard track and road over and done with first. Then the great finish is coming off Craig Head looking down into Peebles with the short walk out through Gypsy Glen.

Thanks Eddie! Before Monday, I didn't know much about these hills or the Glen. Having now been there myself, I would probably agree. If I was to do it again I'd do it anti-clockwise, ascending Newby Kipps and Preston Law onto Hundleshope.

Gavsco wrote:Looking to do these hills in the next week or so, hope to get the weather and views that you managed...excellent pics!

Cheers Gacsco, I'm not much of a photographer, but the scenery makes it difficult to take a bad picture! I hope you get good weather and have a great day!