I needed to try my new walking shoes, so headed out to the nearest Marilyn that I hadn't done, which I can see it from my daughter's house in Culter.
Turned off just after the highest part of the Slug pass & parked up beside another car, just before the gate to the access track for the masts on top.
Donned my new shoes and headed off along the track. After about a Km, a mature couple approach down the track, having been out to exercise their beautiful big German Shepherd ( dog).
As we passed I greeted the couple, at which point the dog decided I was the enemy and lunged at me. Fortunately the man had put him on his lead and was braced in anticipation. The lady apologised and confessed that the dog was very protective, at which point I admitted that I was probably not very good eating - even for a dog !
The track got a wee bit rougher as it turned round the NE side of the hill for want of a few transvers culverts to take the water off.
As I turned the corner for the final section to the top, I got a grand view of Morven due to some clear felling.
I was also afforded a view back down towards Culter, so waved to my daughter and grandson, but couldn't see them waving back !
As I breasted the brow o the hill, I was greeted by a plethora of masts.
You wonder why all these masts couldn't be consolidated into a single tower with one building at the bottom to house the terminal equipment.
Noticed that one building had a PV array on it's roof to save the planet.
Weaved through the masts to get to the trig point, then wandered over to the cairn wi a braw chunky seat next to it.
Soaked in the view for a wee bit then decided to explore the short way down via the fire-break in the forest for the power lines bringing the electricity supply to the radio/TV/phone masts.
Dusted off my compass to make sure that the track headed in the right direction, then set off down. Once into the fire-break, its an easy walk down to the road. The bikers have fashioned
an easy to follow path down. At the bottom, you have the option of dropping off onto the Slug road ( and being run over) or taking the slightly boggy option to the left which crosses a wee burn and exits on the track about 50m from the car park.
Shoes need a bit more breaking in on a longer walk, but that'll do for a start. Not too keen on the "arch support" as I find it a bit irritating. Used to making my foot muscles work.
Warning
Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. Summer routes may not be viable or appropriate in winter. See winter information on our skills and safety pages for more information.