Lamachan Hill

[jim hutcheson]

After reading through some of the walk reports for this group of hills,I've noticed that most seem to be taking routes through forest areas without trails making things awkward .The route I took had the advantage of the Southern Upland Way and apart from a section beside the Sheil Burn which had unpleasant tussock terrain was straightforward walking.
Started from the Glen Trool car-park at the end of the public road,no parking charges at present you will be pleased to know.Took the route marked Southern Upland Way and Cycle Route 7 and followed this round to the point where an obvious waterfall from the Sheil Burn was noticed.Stayed to the left of the Burn and started to climb up ,this section was hard going,long grass and boggy sections until I got to the fence-line,crossed over the Burn at this point and aimed for the ridge which was just ahead.On getting to the top aimed firstly for Larg Hill and followed the stone wall up to the cairn,good views over the Solway Firth on the walk up.Then headed back to Lamachan Hill,just followed the old fence-line and an ATV track to its top.
The next section,to me was the most enjoyable,still following the fence line and using the track,took the route over to Curleywee,the finest of the hills I walked on the day.Good views over towards the Merrick and Loch Dee from its summit,pleasant walk back aiming for the left side of White Hill and you would then veer off to the left hand side of the crags,follow the burn down to the Southern Upland Way and make your way back to the car-park from there