Blaeloch HIll

[McMole]

After some lacklustre drizzle on the way to park at the start of the wind farm track, the rest of the day was dry though overcast with the summits in cloud most of the time.

Yes it's a fountain , not a leaking car radiator

The building by the start of the track had an uncommon outdoor feature - a fountain. As I walked along the track I soon realised from deposits thereon that I might meet more than just sheep on the hill - and I did. A small herd of cattle were on the track as I rounded a corner, but they had politely moved aside by the time I reached them. I noticed a small highland cow amongst them as I passed.

The friendly herd

Instead of heading due south and direct to the summit, I decided to visit the first wind turbine.

Gabions aplenty as track climbs the hill

As I neared it I met a van driving back down the track and shortly afterwards took a snap of the turbines.

The wind farm comes into view

Not long afterwards the cloud lowered and any views of the surrounding countryside from the summit disappeared.

And disappears by the time I reach the summit area

There is no cairn to mark the summit (at NS 24329 55317), but there are a couple of exposed boulders just a few metres from where my GPS placed it.

Blae Loch

I diverted to view the Blae Loch then took the direct route to the wind farm track and so to the car meeting a pair of walkers en route. This walk was also the first in new boots. The bog trot during my last walk up Hill of Stake had finally convinced me that perpetually wet socks should not be compulsory, and boots that leaked so enthusiastically in only a inch or so of water deserved to be retired.