Windlestraw Law - best saved for a dry spell

[rob munbett]

After a good breakfast in the Tontine Hotel in Peebles, I drove through Inverleithen up the B709 to park in a reasonable space off the road south of Blackhopebyre. I walked a short distance up the road and passed through a metal gate on to a good track which headed up Glentress Rig. I met a local gamekeeper , who was extremely friendly and he chatted about foxes, weasels and stoats and the carnage they caused to ground nesting birds. I headed off back up the grassy track. However, this soon deteriorated into a dual-carriageway of rutted gouges through the peat.

The rutted peaty 'track'

This was bad enough after a fairly dry spell - I would hate to walking this route in the rain or after a wet spell! After a while I came across some of the best-constructed grouse butts I have ever seen so, as there was a strong wind blowing, I settled down in one for a snack and a drink - very cosy.

Looking over to Whitehope Law

The OS map shows the track ending but on the ground it continues up beside a fence-line all the way to the summit

Heading up beside the fence-line

This is not exactly a great viewpoint but does give decent views across to Whitehope Law.

Heading across to the summit trg

At least the descent was gentle on the knees and heels on the spongy ground.

On the descent, looking across to Whitehope Law

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