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A quick route needed today as Allison needed to be back mid afternoon to get ready for The Pixies tonight. Decided on Blackcraig Hill as fitting the bill - 67 miles away and a short day out. Left by 7.30, minor wrong turn via Kilwinning
- the drive up Glen Afton hampered by numerous road-widening vehicles- looks like more wind turbines going up on the hillside by the reservoir. Parked up by the filter station and walked back along the road to Blackcraig farm, over a ricketty corrugated "bridge" and up the hillside following a vague track. This proved a much easier ascent than the direct route up Black Glints from Craigdarroch I'd done last time.
Blackcraig
P1140469 by
Al, on Flickr
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Al, on Flickr
Once on the hilltop the views out to Ailsa Craig and Arran were fine. Easy walking over the summit with various cairns, then followed a path down roughly alongside the fence to the bealach with Blacklorg Hill, then up to the small cairn at its summit. We decided to continue on to Meikledodd (a New Donald) which proved easier than last time - less boggy too. Stopped by the fence, after visiting the non-existant cairn and lunched.
P1140472 by
Al, on Flickr
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Al, on Flickr
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Al, on Flickr
To Blacklorg
P1140475 by
Al, on Flickr
Floating Arran
P1140477 by
Al, on Flickr
Meikledodd
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Al, on Flickr
Returned to the base of Blacklorg Hill, stopping to watch a quad-bike riding shepherd working his dogs (noisily). Contoured round the south of Blacklorg to meet the pass between Craigbraneoch Rigg and Cannock Hill, crossing some of the deepest moss I've encountered. Down to the Afton Reservoir, still as a mill-pond, lovely reflections.
P1140481 by
Al, on Flickr
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Al, on Flickr
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Al, on Flickr
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Al, on Flickr