Scaw'd Fell, a "Super" moon, but no mad axe murderer

[PeteR]

Something a little different with this walk. My current personal battle with sloth meant it was going to be a late start for me. As a result I chose to tackle a sub 2000 with good track access that would make a descent and return to the car in the dark easily possible. Scaw'd Fell, just outside Mofffat on the road to Selkirk presented itself as an ideal candidate

The GPS route planner suggested a little over 9 miles and a little over 4 hours. As it turned out, with a slight route hiccup on the way back to the car added in for fun, it was just over 10 miles, but about right with the few minutes over the four hours.

our_route.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

I'd seen that others park up on the grass verge close to the bridge on the minor road where the route starts.

P1400931 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
I'd noticed this alternative on the mainroad.......added all of say 5 minutes to the day/night

It was just after 2.00 p.m. when I set off, so I knew it would be a return in the dark. I was aware though that we were in for a "super" moon, so was hopeful I might get a good sighting on my way back in the dark.

P1400933 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
Heading down the minor road to the track where I'd join the Southern Upland Way

P1400934 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
At the start of the track........nice easy going to start

P1400936 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
Heading along for a while.......

P1400937 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
......until a sharp right toward some hills

P1400938 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
A few gates and cattle grids en route. Not sure this instruction has been adhered to for a while

P1400943 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
Passed a quarry, where I then arrived at a junction and took the right fork. At the next fork took a sharp left (this is it) heading slightly back on myself

P1400946 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
Almost immediately took a right up this grassy track. A bit boggy up the top.........

P1400949 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
.......where I arrived at this gate. Jumped over it and then the tufty slog began........

P1400951 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
.....up this, on to Yadburgh Hill

Steeply down this minor top, where the worst slog of the day presented itself to me.

P1400955 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
Logan Gail

Before then though there were some nice shots of a setting sun to enjoy.

P1400956 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr

P1400957 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr

P1400959 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr

P1400961 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
Let the slog begin........it took a few minutes

P1400967 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr

P1400969 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
Sky changing colour

P1400970 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
Slog over

P1400972 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
More than worth it though

P1400974 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
Then an easy trot along to the summit of Scaw'd Fell as the light started to fail

P1400979 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
Nice views as the last of the sun set

P1400983 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
Summit post

P1400985 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
Nice view close to the summit

By now the light was fading fast, as I headed down via Coomb Cairn and back on to the Southern Upland Way.

P1400992 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
Believe it or not...........I had located the track I needed to get me on the way back to civilisation

P1400993 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
And into the woods.........at this time MrsR may have received a text from me about mad axe murderers There was lots of creaking. squeaking and groaning of the trees in the wind. Along with a bit of wildlife thrown in too. Not to everyone's taste I'm sure

P1400995 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
Now with head torch on

P1400998 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr

P1410005 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
Cue wrong turn at this point. Soon realised my mistake and corrected myself

Time for some super moon shots

P1410009 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr

P1410023 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr

P1410024 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr

P1410029 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr

Almost back at the end of the track there is a junction heading off to Craigbeck Cottage. There's a cattle grid with what I assume is a cattle shed. On the way up in the day light there was no cattle. Not so on the way back in the dark, with just my puny head torch for light. Crossing the cattle grid I startled something, which turn startled me.......I believe it was a bull.......just a few yards from me (either that or a very big cow ) Too dark for a photo and I wasn't hanging about. Hasty retreat was beat

P1410031 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr

Really enjoyed my day/night walk and will certainly be looking to do something similar again when I can. Scaw'd Fell itself is a good little hill too, much more enjoyable than I had expected it to be.

[Fife Flyer]

Thanks for the informative route info Pete, am looking at saying hello to this one on one of my return home journey's.
Not sure I fancy walking through a forest in the dark, I will be aiming to do this long before darkness falls.

[PeteR]

Thanks for the informative route info Pete, am looking at saying hello to this one on one of my return home journey's.
Not sure I fancy walking through a forest in the dark, I will be aiming to do this long before darkness falls.

No worries Martin. It's an easy one and definitely good for those trips up and down the country. I have a few of those left myself.