Friday 26/8/2016: White Coomb
Distance: 12.1 km
Ascent: 765 m
Time: 4.3 h
I drove up from Wakefield on Friday morning, having arranged to meet Karen at the Grey Mare's Tail car park. For her it was a drive down to the Lowlands from near Glasgow. We headed up the path on a glorious day, past the impressive waterfall.
- Grey Mare's Tail
- Moffat Dale in retrospect
We arrived at Loch Skeen...
- Karen by Loch Skeen
...before moving on the climb Lochcraig Head, which was lined up to be my first Donald. We arrived on the plateau at the top of the hill, on ground that seemed to be as high as anywhere nearby, before sitting by a cairn that overlooked Loch Craig.
- Loch Skeen from Lochcraig Head
(On checking the GPS track later, it turned out we'd missed the highest point, about 100 metres NW. But I've still ticked it as a Donald bagged to be fair to Karen - better to say we both climbed it than say neither of us did!)
Next we moved on to Firthybrig Head and then round to White Coomb. The Solway Firth was visible to the south. Lakeland could be just made out below the clouds, and further east the Cheviots were visible. This was the first time I'd seen England from a Corbett.
- On White Coomb looking south
We made the descent back via Grey Mare's Tail, and Karen and I wished each other goodbye. She drove off home, while I headed for Moffat, my B and B, and then the Star Hotel for a food and beer.
Saturday 27/8/2016: Broad Law
Distance: 21.8 km
Ascent: 944 m
Time: 5.9 h
For the second morning in succession I drove along Moffat Dale, this time all the way to St. Mary's Loch before turning off to Megget Reservoir. I parked near the west end of the reservoir and began walking along the minor road...
- Meggethead
...
then turned off uphill by the Megget Stone. Again, it was a fine, sunny day. After Climbing over Cairn Law, it was a pretty gentle ascent onto the highest hill this side of the A74(M).
- Ascending Broad Law, looking towards Tinto and Culter Fell
On top of Broad Law I met a group of walkers who'd been sitting by the beacon. We had a chat before they headed off downhill, These were the only people I met on the hills all day. Again, The Cheviot could be seen. After a short stop, I moved on to Cramalt Craig. Although these hills are rounded and grassy and the ridges broad, the weather afforded beautiful views all around.
- Queesnsberry range from Cramalt Craig
So then it was time to go for Dollar Law.
- Heading towards Dollar Law from Cramalt Craig
- Looking north from Dollar Law
While heading south on the way down from Dollar Law, an impressive looking peak came into view on the distant horizon, beyond the Ettrick Hills. Skiddaw does look good from this angle, but too distant to get a decent photo.
In time I was back down by Megget Reservoir.
- Megget Reservoir
The drive back was made via Talla Reservoir, a very scenic route, before reaching the main road to Moffat at Tweedsmuir.
That night I went to the Annandale Arms Hotel. Sunday's forecast was the least promising of the four days I'd planned to walk. In the pub there was some decent live music, and I got chatting to people. So a few more pints went down than I would usually have on a hillwalking trip!
Sunday 28/8/2016: Culter Fell and Gathersnow Hill
Distance: 19 km
Ascent: 982 m
Time: 5.9 h
I'd been thinking of a lower level walk from Moffat without the need to drive on Sunday, given the forecast. But the forecast improved a little on the day, and I didn't have a bad hangover. However, I was a little tired after the previous night's fun, and got up later than normal. After breakfast things were thought over, and I decided to head for the hills again. So I drove up the A74(M) and turned off for Coulter.
It was a grey morning with hills in cloud as I parked near Culter Allers Farm. As Fell Shin was ascended, drizzle started and I was soon in the clag. A tramp over featureless, often marshy ground eventually led to the top of Culter Fell, where there was not a lot to see. But this tunrd out to be the only summit of the whole trip without a view. Making my way towards Gathersnow Hill, the mist began to clear.
- Ascending Gathersnow Hill, looking into the Holms Water glen
- Looking back at Culter Fell on the way up Gathersnow Hill
I reached the day's second Graham with the hills free of cloud. Then it was on towards Hillshaw Head.
- Tinto and Culter Reservoir from between Gathersnow Hill and Hillshaw Head
- Fruid Reservoir from Hillshaw Head
Getting from Hillshaw Head to Hudderstone involved a section walking along a track made for the construction of a wind farm. This may have made progress easy, but a bog trot through scenery that hasn't been so devastated might have been preferable. On reaching Hudderstone, I was back among pleasant views again, and the final descent was lovely.
- Descending from Hudderstone via Cowgill Rig
Back down the motorway to Moffat, and I spent my final evening at the Balmoral Hotel. The pubs in that town do seem to be thriving.
Monday 29/8/2016: Hart Fell
Distance: 15.1 km
Ascent: 1035 m
Time: 5.4 h
My last day had great weather again, ideal for a circuit including an impressive Corbett. From the parking spot at Blackshope, the first uphill section was along a ridge above a ravine, with some fairly thick bracken to plough through. I've known it thicker and taller this year though, and by now it was starting to die down. Superb views opened up as I emerged above Black Craig.
- Under Saddle Yoke and Saddle Yoke from above Black Craig
High quality scenery into and across Black Hope continued as I move around above Nether Coomb Craig. I had a wander west from the main track to try and find the summit of Swatte Fell, a very flat-topped hill. Then I came back east to find a path skirting around the top of Upper Coomb Craig, giving an airy situation with dramatic views downwards. Soon I was walking above Falcon Craig.
- Looking back along Black Hope from near Falcon Craig
Next came the final ascent above Hartfell Craig and onto Hart Fell. After a short stop, I was moving over Hartfell Rig. To the north, just left of Culter Fell, the Loch Earn Munros (Stuc a' Chroin and Ben Vorlich) were just visible.
- Fruid Reservoir from near Hartfell Rigg
I made my way above Whirly Gill around to the NW slopes of Under Saddle Yoke. It was nice to encounter a herd of mountain goats here.
- Hart Fell seen in retrospect while ascending Under Saddle Yoke
Under Saddle Yoke's summit was reached...
- Saddle Yoke from Under Saddle Yoke
...and the fairly airy little crossing to Saddle Yoke made. The great weather continued, and views became very clear, with the Cheviots easily seen. The final descent to Blackshope down the southern ridge was very pleasant, and a nice way to finish my first adventures in the Southern Uplands.
This really is a beautiful part of Scotland, and I thoroughly enjoyed my first hillwalking trip here. The rolling hills of the Borders are up there with the very best of British mountain country!
)
Thanks again for the company Karen, it was a lovely day.
tut tut - oh, I think you'll need to go back, start from sea level and walk all the way to the top 
