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Cairn Table, Stony Hill and a Tump too far

Cairn Table, Stony Hill and a Tump too far


Postby Chris Mac » Tue Jan 07, 2020 2:47 am

Route description: Cairn Table, near Muirkirk

Sub 2000' hills included on this walk: Cairn Table

Date walked: 26/10/2019

Time taken: 4.29 hours

Distance: 15.3 km

Ascent: 532m

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Cairn-Table--Stony-Hill.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

Having had the Tuesday off work and using it to climb Beinn Luibhean, when the Sunday came around I faniced something local and to the south for a change of scenery. I hadn't been up Cairn Table in years, it had a Hump and Tump nearby that I could add in, takes only 45 minutes to reach and I was curious to see if it would still be a bogfest at the start. I also didn't record tracks back then so would get to add a new one to my collection for an old walk.

Decision made, in less than an hour I was setting off from Kames Car Park, over the brilliantly named Linky Burn and through the disused quarries with my target dead ahead:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (1) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

A few local sheep were hanging around and the huge summit memorial cairn cone was visible behind them:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (2) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Directly south of me was Wardlaw Hill which I planned on finishing on then descending from:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (3) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Past the quarry and it now felt like a gun duel in the old west as I faced the boggy area between here and The Steel:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (4) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

My memory from 2015 isn't too bad but I recalled very deep and boggy ground, a very wet traverse along any shrubbery that looked like it could hold weight and Y really not enjoying it either at the time. Now it was just me and, wait, what's that? Someone has been doing path work and some small plank bridges are before me, result! Well done locals, great work! :clap:

I still encounter the occasional dodgy bit but nothing like how it was before:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (5) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Looking back to Muirfield and Middlefield Law, easily the easiest Marilyn I've done to date and only a 20 minute blast to the summit:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (6) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Wardlaw Hill, a rough summit descent will soon reach a good track that I attempt to make out on the right:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (7) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I'm soon on the good path thanks to the bog being easier to navigate and making my way up to The Steel:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (8) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

On my right to the west Arran is coming into view:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (11) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Looking back at the ascent route:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (12) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Progress is fairly fast up the good path:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (13) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

To the north and east I can make out the indistinct summit of Nutberry Hill:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (14) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I reach the cairn and can see the final route to the summit:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (15) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

The wind is getting chillier higher up and to the north it's hazy but I can make out Ben Arthur, Beinn Ime, Ben Lomond and Ben Ledi:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (16) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I had passed a few other walkers and joked about the bog earlier on and as I approached the summit there were even more people and a few family groups but I took the path to the left:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (17) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Summit approach:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (19) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (20) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Galloway Hills now visible to the south west:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (23) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Wardlaw Hill and Ailsa Craig:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (25) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I reach the summit, one of my favourites:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (28) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Directly south of me is Stony Hill and where i'm heading to after my lunch:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (30) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

West from the summit:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (32) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I pop over to the large cairn to escape all the people on the summit:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (33) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I hunker down to the south of the large cairn to get out of the wind and eat my sandwich. To the east and north is Common Hill with East and West Cairn Hill behind it:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (36) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Tinto to the east and Little Cairn Table, once pondered but best left for another day as it will mess up my loop:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (37) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Culter Fell:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (38) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Lowther Hills south east:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (41) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

To the left of Stony Hill looking south it's not quite clear enough to see the Lake District today:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (43) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

To the right of Stony Hill in the distance is Cairnsmore of Carsphairn and co.:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (45) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

This also shows my descent route down from Stony Hill.

South west to Merrick and co. now:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (46) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Visibility to the north is improving:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (49) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I head past the memorial cairn for one last look:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (51) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Then down to the left to make my way to Stony Hill, enjoying the view of Arran and saying hi to a few other people hiding in different parts of the best summit you could ever play hide and seek on: :D
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (52) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

How many people can you spot? :lol:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (55) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (56) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (57) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I'm soon leaving everyone behind:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (58) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

First time i've seen a memorial rugby ball cairn:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (59) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I follow the good path down that I took years ago but miss the turn off for Stony Hill:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (60) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I veer back on course by going rough towards another cairn, it's not called cairn table for nothing you know: :wink:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (61) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Hump ahead:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (62) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Cairn:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (63) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

This is the path I should have taken:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (64) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

The way ahead:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (65) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Not the most distinct summit from here:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (66) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I spot a load of frog or toad spawn in a large puddle on the path, it's a good thing not many frequent this route:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (68) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (69) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Lowther Hills as I make my way along:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (70) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

The next section was much rougher as the track went through a gate away from my route ahead up Stony Hill:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (71) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

The boots were still hurting the feet, i'll need to do something about this. Wardlaw Hill looking very far away at present!
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (72) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Already planning ahead, there is a good track I can take down between both hills if need be:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (73) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Cairn Table:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (75) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Just go for it, not enjoyable but a neccessary evil for those mental enough to bag any hills for bigger adventures and different views: :D
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (76) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I'm not even half way at this point:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (77) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

All of a sudden I look back and realise i've found Cairn Table's interesting side, sometimes the pain is worth it:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (79) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I'm still skirting a landrover track and very boggy and squishy sections while trying my best to power uphill with new boots hassling my feet:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (80) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

The fence is a good guide and it is drier next to it compared to on the track:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (81) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

At least the view is still good over to Tinto:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (83) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Finally atop the hill I spot the summit over to the right, at least a large stick or something is marking it:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (85) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

The direct route looked very boggy:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (88) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I decide to skirt the bog to the left and follow a fence just out of view around and back to the middle to the lump of grass seen here:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (89) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Still skirting around:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (92) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Arran beyond Wardlaw Hill's summit:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (94) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Back to Cairn Table:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (95) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Summit, made it:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (96) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Unconventional, I like it!
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (100) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (101) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

A pretty good view south too:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (102) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

With sore feet I don't dilly dally and make a bee line towards Wardlaw Hill, still undecided on whether to do it:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (103) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (104) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Pathless again until I reach this fence and have another rough track to follow down:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (105) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Cairn Table:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (106) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Wardlaw Hill (not named after Derek Wardlaw as far as I know :wink:):
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (107) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Yet again it feels like it's taking for ever, distance can be deceptive with sore feet!
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (108) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (111) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

At last the track:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (112) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Looking back to Stony Hill and the route down:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (113) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I've never been so relieved to see a massive bog! Since it's clearly not on the OS map and is big enough to qualify for small lochan status :lol: it's an easy decision to leave Deek's Hill for another day and take the emergency invalid track back down to Muirkirk:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (114) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (115) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Wardlaw Lochan:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (116) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Enjoying the view of Cairn Table from this side as I descend:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (117) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (118) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (119) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (120) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (122) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Middlefield Law:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (123) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Bert Bradford memorial bench:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (124) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (126) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

The evening light was making the walk back very colourful:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (129) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (130) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

An added bonus was seeing Cairn Table from almost every angle:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (131) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (132) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

A few local sheep run away as I approach the bridge over Garpel Water:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (134) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

It's a great viewpoint for the local Marilyn:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (135) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

The track makes the final section good but of course it feels much longer than I remember! Some locals scarper as I approach:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (141) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Cairn Table showing off one last time in the evening sunshine:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (142) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (143) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I eventually reach MacAdams Cairns, the last section seemed to go on forever:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (145) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (148) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Past the old kirk:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (149) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

A final shot of Middlefield Law and Kames race track:
ImageCairn Table - Stony Hill (150) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

No summit video for this walk, I took a few but with no zoom and a biting cold wind it wasn't worthwhile as Cairn Table is a bulky big hill with nothing nearby of great interest but it is still a supreme viewpoint and one of the highest Sub2000 hills.

Adding in Stony Hill was a good addition despite the difficulties but that was more due to the boot problem. I have since discovered the heel lock tying technique and it has worked a treat on subsequent walks, recommended for those breaking in stubborn hard new boots.

If you haven't climbed Cairn Table it is well worth the outing and has a great summit area plus with the bog factor now lower due to good path work you have no excuse. :D
User avatar
Chris Mac
 
Posts: 821
Munros:60   Corbetts:36
Fionas:25   Donalds:28+13
Sub 2000:74   Hewitts:6
Wainwrights:21   
Joined: Sep 11, 2014

Re: Cairn Table, Stony Hill and a Tump too far

Postby Graeme D » Mon Jan 13, 2020 11:16 pm

Always good to see Muirkirk and around! :D :clap:
User avatar
Graeme D
 
Posts: 3996
Munros:251   Corbetts:123
Fionas:75   Donalds:22
Sub 2000:59   Hewitts:36
Wainwrights:28   Islands:6
Joined: Oct 17, 2008
Location: Perth

Re: Cairn Table, Stony Hill and a Tump too far

Postby Chris Mac » Tue Jan 14, 2020 1:06 pm

Graeme D wrote:Always good to see Muirkirk and around! :D :clap:

Cheers Graeme, what kept you? I actually thought of you when posting this since it is your hood. :D
User avatar
Chris Mac
 
Posts: 821
Munros:60   Corbetts:36
Fionas:25   Donalds:28+13
Sub 2000:74   Hewitts:6
Wainwrights:21   
Joined: Sep 11, 2014

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