
We set off on the Cross Borders Drove Road up Kailzie Hill and on to the first Donald of Birkscairn Hill. Cold enough under foot to keep the worst of the bog frozen. On to Stake Law thence Dun Rig and the unmarked top of Glenrath Heights. Descend boggily to Middle Hill and Broom Hill. Pause at Door Hass for a bite to eat before climbing Stob Law then back round to Hundleshope Heights descending by Dead Side and through the Haystoun Estate. A nice circuit, albeit hidden in clag today.



Dun Rig


Back to Glentress that night, with the short day up Windlestraw and Whitehope planned for Saturday. Another day of clag - drove through Innerleithen Golf Course and on towards Glentress Cottage. Parked in a layby and set off up to the east of Dod Hill, onto Bareback Knowe - a much less boggy ascent route than heading up Wallet Knowe. Took in the 657m top following fencelines to the summit of Windlestraw. Met a couple of guys on the descent, then an older couple collecting Grahams further down - stood and chatted for a while. Dropped down to the road, then across the Glentress Water via a plank bridge to make a start on Whitehope Law. Stopped for lunch by a birch tree then continued into clag up Leithen Hopes to the summit of Whitehope. Straight back down, aiming for the car, with another plank bridge conveniently placed. A group of horses watched up slither over the wet wood.
Up Bareback Knowe

Windlestraw



Whitehope



From here we drove to Mortonhall Campsite, arriving mid afternoon - time to get pitched and head into town. A visit to the National Gallery then down to Novopizza followed by a few belgian beers in 6 Degrees North. We walked back to the campsite - a nice 10k jaunt

Up a bit late on Sunday morning, plans to get the Lowther Hills done a bit adrift. Couldn't decide whether to do them from Overfingland or Wanlockhead - in the end decided on the former. Mist down the whole day - a soggy tramp up by the Southern Upland Way to Cold Moss then Lowther Hill, the radar stations completely hidden until you were a few feet away. Dropped down to East Mount Lowther, lunching at the "viewpoint" then back up to Lowther Hill. We'd decided to cut short after Green Lowther, the key Graham getting done, leaving the remaining two Donalds for another day. Cut down by Riccart Cleuch and onto the track leading to Overfingland Farm. A large green notice by a Union Flag informed us there was no public access and some frenzied barking by a pack of hellhounds underlined the point. Notheing like being polite and putting up a diversion route - anyway we headed through the feild back to the car.
Indicative of the day...

East Mount Lowther

Lowther


Green Lowther

