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My first foray into Glen Afton was back in summer 2016 when i climbed Windy Standard from there. Back then the approach to the hill was ruined due to tree felling operations and wind turbines as well as construction traffic. Forward a couple of years and i found the area covered in turbines with even more traffic, but this time the hills on the side of the Afton Reservoir where i was heading were turbine free.
My target hills for today were Blackcraig Hill and Blacklorg Hill, a Graham and a Donald with a couple of minor tops, Craigbraneoch Hill and Cannock Hill.
Once again i began at the car park near the Afton Water Works but this time i headed straight for the dam at the head of the reservoir. Walking along the top of the dam to its eastern side i entered a small wooded area and quickly found myself on the open hillside going straight up Craigbraneoch Hill. The going here was very steep and very wet with tussock grass all around but at least the sun was out and 30 minutes later i was on the hilltop where i noticed a marker post and an ATV track which i more or less followed all the way over the 3 remaining hills. It was here that i got my first real view of Blackcraig and Blacklorg so i wouldn't get lost !
The walk to Cannock Hill was quick with the track keeping me clear of the tussocks and going up the hillside was mostly dry giving me hope for the rest of the day.
- Glen Afton car park
- The foot of the dam
- Afton Reservoir
- The horror....
- Blackcraig from Craigbraneoch
The view from Cannock Hill gave me a good look at Windy Standard and the sheer amount of turbines in the area and got me thinking about the hills i was walking on today and would they fall victim to the wind farmers next ?
A chocolate bar later and i was off to Blacklorg Hill at a quick pace using the same track which now followed a fence line up the hill.
- Summit of Cannock Hill
- Windy Standard
- Summit of Blacklorg Hill
The view from Blacklorg Hill gave me a proper look at my route up Blackcraig and while straightforward enough things also looked rough and with that in mind i started down the obvious path past another marker post which strayed a good bit west from the fence line between both hills.
The col between Blacklorg and Blackcraig was rough with a real mixture of tussocks, peat hags and bogs but staying well west of the fence kept me out of the worst of the mess and the going rapidly improved as i began the steep ascent of Blackcraig.
- Towards Blackcraig Hill
- Looking back at Blacklorg Hill
On reaching the summit area of Blackcraig Hill i was amazed at how rock-strewn it was. I made for the trig pillar but had to wonder which of the numerous cairns that were scattered everywhere marked the true summit so after lunch i wandered around taking in some cairns and the fanastic views which included a lot of my Southern Upland regulars as well as the sea with Arran and Ailsa Craig in the distance.
All too soon it was time to leave and i reluctantly headed across to the fence line and walked north towards the path junction at Quintin Knowe where i turned left (west) and struggled along an exceptionally wet and boggy path which eventually led to Blackcraig Farm and the Glen Afton road.
- Trig pillar on Blackcraig Hill
- More cairns on Blackcraig
- The way down
- View above Blackcraig Farm
On reaching my car i reflected on a great little hill circuit which might be on borrowed time if the wind farmers get their way.