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Another trip down to Galloway, this time to collect my final Donald in the area - Larg Hill. It also made sense to climb Lamachan Hill as it was on the route anyway.
Parked at Bruce's Stone and walked along the track past Buchan to Glenhead. A perfect day for walking - pleasantly mild, high cloud and low winds. From Glenhead, I took the track to the foot of the Shiel Burn.
- The Shiel Burn from the track
The initial stretch along the burn gives the roughest walking of the day - steep, rough ground through some small trees. It was a case of head down and get on with it. However, the going gets easier as you approach the col at the Nick of the Lochans.
- Loch Dee from the Nick of the Lochans
I had a short break at the lochans, then headed off on a rising traverse of the north west ridge of Lamachan Hill, over Cambrick Hill. There were quite a number of sheep paths that made this quite straightforward. I got to the far ridge of Lamachan Hill just above the col with Larg Hill.
- Larg Hill from the south ridge of Lamachan Hill
A short and easy walk from the col to the summit of Larg Hill. As the hill stands right on the south west edge of Galloway, it gives extensive views of Wigton Bay and the Machars.
- At the top of Larg Hill
- Curleywee from Larg Hill
Another pleasant section from Larg Hill, back to the col and then along the ridge to Lamachan Hill, where I stopped for lunch.
- Wigton Bay
- Curleywee from Lamachan Hill
- Looking back to Larg Hill from Lamachan, with the Solway in the distance
- The Cumbrian Fells from Lamachan
Rather than descend to the Nick of the Lochans, I took a more direct line, aiming to pick up the east bank of the Sheil Burn. I thought that the underfoot conditions might be better this way, and so it proved.
- The Merrick and Mullwharchar on the descent
- Mullwharchar, Dungeon Hill and Craignaw
I made my way back to the track. Still not great walking, but marginally better than this morning!
Once on the track, it was a quick walk back to the car and the long drive to Wooler.