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Broomy Law, last on my list of three wee hills in a day along the A702. Having just walked up Black Mount after starting on Mendick Hill further east, I left the smallest and easiest of the three until last, with a good track to enjoy the whole way to the summit.
Mendick Hill and Black Mount had given my boots a right going over so I had to take them off as I drove along towards Broomy Law. Unsure where to park despite prior planning, I decided to settle on a little bit up the Roman Road towards Brownsbank, parking to the side at the junction where the 269 mark on the OS map is. I wasn't in the way and left clear room on all sides for any farm machinery to pass, barring a combine harvester perhaps...
Unfortunately it was also muddy there so putting my wet boots back on was a bit tricky as was changing into my spare pair of socks to keep my feet dry. There was no need for gaiters now so they were jettisoned and as the sun was out I kept my jacket off, popped the rucksack on and took a snap of my final target:
DSC_8219 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
From where I parked I walked to Brownsbank along the track and could see where it continued up the hillside towards the two plantations of trees:
DSC_8227 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
After the big barn I turned left, went through a gate and started uphill:
DSC_8228 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
A buzzing in the woods and small digger parked across the track at the first bunch of trees indicated the farmer at work as I passed, now up towards the next set of trees:
DSC_8230 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
More sheep scarpering:
DSC_8231 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Culter Fell and Gathersnow Hill to the south with Goseland Hill, one of the ramining local Marilyns here for me, in the foreground:
DSC_8232 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Tinto south west:
DSC_8236 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
A good track to the top... should have kept this one for Y to join me on, right up her street!
DSC_8238 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
I approach the final gate and summit guarding sheep...
DSC_8246 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
One of the sheep decided to greet me by doing it's business just as I took a photo, not one to share or upload you'll be pleased to hear!
DSC_8251 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Broomy Law summit...
DSC_8256 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Black Mount from Broomy Law, it was the other way around not long ago:
DSC_8257 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Sheep scattering:
DSC_8263 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
I head to find the summit point:
DSC_8265 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Long shadows now as it approaches half 4, looking north east:
DSC_8266 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
There was very little wind, a blue sky and sunshine and it was the perfect evening to be up a hill. Looking east towards the Moorfoot Hills:
DSC_8267 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Peebles hills further east:
DSC_8268 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Broughton Heights south east:
DSC_8269 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Pyked Stane Hill summit:
DSC_8276 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Trahenna Hill:
DSC_8277 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Pykestone Hill, Dollar Law and Broad Law's other tops:
DSC_8279 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Broad Law:
DSC_8282 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
White Coomb's various tops and distant Hart Fell:
DSC_8283 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Over to Chapelgill Hill & Culter Fell:
DSC_8285 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
North east to Black Mount, Mendick Hill and the Pentlands:
DSC_8286 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
DSC_8287 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
DSC_8291 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
DSC_8292 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Broomy Law may be a small hill but the view south to the bigger hills is superb, especially on an evening like this:
DSC_8293 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
DSC_8295 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
The view west to Tinto is pretty decent too...
DSC_8300 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
I look around and there is nothing to sit on at all... so I find a gravely patch of grass and sit on my folded fleece to enjoy some crisps and the setting sun.
Dungavel Hill to the left behind Tinto, a good wee hill but too close to it's larger neighbour which hogs most of the view from it:
DSC_8302 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
As I sat and soaked it all in, enjoying the peace and quiet, I noticed a sparkle starting next to me and extending towards Tinto... cobwebs in the grass! It looked great, I took a few quick shots which are posted below, hopefuly clicking to expand then flicking between the two using the left and right arrow on the keyboard will replicate the effect:
DSC_8333 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
DSC_8334 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
It was time to head back down, the crisps had reminded me it would be time for dinner following the drive home and I was pretty hungry now:
DSC_8349 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
The going was swift, it would only take about 15 minutes to get back downhill, glad I kept the easy one until the end!
DSC_8350 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Through the gate...
DSC_8354 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Past the trees:
DSC_8357 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Enjoy the view of Culter Fell as you go:
DSC_8362 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
I think that's Lamington Hill:
DSC_8365 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Past the second lot of trees:
DSC_8366 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
There was no digger so I cut across the field a little on the way down:
DSC_8367 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
As I approached the gate into Brownsbank the farmer's wife was washing the car but didn't even bat an eyelid as I passed turning right to head back to the car, must be used to people ascending their wee hill!
DSC_8371 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Back at the car and the shadows were extending more towards Broomy Law than when I started but it had only taken 56 minutes including a 10 minute break, a nice relaxing wind-down to end the day after the two bigger hills along the road prior to this:
DSC_8373 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
A large murder of crows flew by as a nice send off:
DSC_8374 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
So that was my mini Marilyn adventure over, three hills in a day along the A702 using the car to move to each one for convenience since there isn't an easy route between them or good pavements on the roads. Broomy Law was a nice way to end it, an easy stroll and a good viewpoint, marred by the masts of course.
I drove back via the M74 for a fast trip home to enjoy a massive fish supper and relaxing evening. So trading one big hill for three, what does that get you with Mendick Hill, Black Mount and Broomy Law? 13.09km walked, just under 5 hours in total including connection driving between hills, 694m of ascent, not too shabby and with enough variety between the three to keep you interested. Recommended if you want an easy day out.