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Another Borders visit on a return trip from down south, after the sweltering week we have just had the forecast for a Saturday walk came with a yellow warning of rain for just about everywhere. I was still going to walk regardless, my waterproofs were packed so a few drops of rain wouldn't deter me.
I am now having to travel further west of the M74 so I opted to visit Wether Hill, after looking at the walk reports and then the map I decided to try a different route. The route I planned was to be on road or track apart from the last 50 yards or so.
I arrived at my start point and parked the car in a kind of layby, it may look a squish but the B729 is not a busy road.
Parking spot
The road that took me up to Craiglearan
Still on the road that is just under half a mile
As I reached Craiglearan I walked in front of the house and round to the north, a male who I presume was the farmer pulled up on his ATV and in his posh Scottish voice asked me where I was going, I told him Wether Hill. He informed me the usual way to Wether Hill was 3 miles along the road and obviously expecting me to turn round and head back to my car. I said according to my map there is a track all the way uphill where it then joins up with the wind farm tracks, he didn't disagree. I apologised if he was offended and set off on my way he asked me to shut the gate, I said I always do - there were actually 5 of them. I posted the brief details of my encounter on Facebook and it would appear that I am not the first person to be approached by the gentelman - this has been going on for quite a few years.
I have to admit if there were any warning signs or private road signs, I didn't see them so they can't have been very prominent.
I appreciate this topic will probably generate opinions and advice and has been raised before but I feel I should advise anyone who is planning to tackle Wether Hill by the same route.
Once I had walked round the house which is on the right, there are buildings possibly farm related on the left, the track then heads uphill and the first gate is then reached.
Track heading up
Looking south
Looking back
This gate was open but being a responsible walker I shut it, I didn't want to be accused of leaving it open
Good fire break to walk through
This is what I was expecting to see
The track ahead very visible, then joins up with the wind farm track
Little bridge over a small burn
Now on the wind farm track
Interesting small group of trees
Building linked to the wind farm
Turbine at the end of the track
Turbine spotters dream
Looking back
Video taken on the summit of Wether Hill
Not the biggest cairn
Looking back at the wall I climbed over
Quite a few of walls and fences in the Borders
Looking the other way along the wall/fence
After taking the usual photo's I headed back down, I could see that rain was on the way so a brisk descent was on the cards.
The descent was uneventful and I didn't meet anyone and was back at the car 2 hours after setting off.
