Walkhighlands

It was going to be a fine day so I left Glasgow at 6.30 in the morning and drove to Drumelzier. I found the car park at the end of the dead-end lane no bother but, even early in morning, so had the plagues of midges. I crossed the burn on the wooden bridge, followed the path behind the cottage and wandered along the good track in the cool of the morning - which was not to last long. Soon, the track began to rise passing between two small blocks of forest with sheep milling around in the cool gloom, staring rather eerily out as I passed. From here, a good grassy track, then a stony road, then rougher track, led all the way to the summit of Pykestone Hill, where some kind person had left a sawn log which was a perfect seat to sit leaning against the concrete trig. The heat was beginning to build, so it was time to head off down the fence-line, through a bit of a peat-hag-bog at the low point, over to Long Grain Knowe and Middle Hill - all very easy and straightforward on lovely close-cropped soft grass. I have to say, though, that Middle Hill isn't exactly much to look at - even the summit is pretty untidy. Without hanging around, I headed over to the more shapely Drumelzier Law, following a good path over Glenstivon Dod down to the dip before the final rise, which was bit of a slog in the noonday heat. I did enjoy the sit at the cairn at the summit, enjoying a rest, a snack and the view over Culter Fell and Tinto. It was a fairly easy, pleasant descent over Logan Head and more steeply down Finglen Rig, through a couple of gates and then, finally, down beside the edge of the trees to the farm track in the glen. By now it was HOT and it was a relief to give my feet a splash in cold water back at the car before the drive home.