Deuchar Law from Kirkhouse (SUW)

[rob munbett]

I was down in Peebles for a couple of days and I was looking for a walk that, given my upcoming knee surgery, I felt I could manage and this, on the face of it, fitted the bill. I drove round to Kirkhouse and parked in a large car-park by the church and set off up the Southern Upland Way which was clearly waymarked. The ascent was nice and gentle on grassy tracks - the only issue being the number of dykes to be crossed on styles (not good for the knee) the the amount of sheep-shit (more than I could shake a walking pole at, that's for sure) The weather was fine - clear and breezy - and the views in all direction were great.

Looking back down the SUW towards Innerleithen

Deuchar Law from Blake Muir

So far, so good. I went over Blake Muir and down into the dip before pt 465, then ascending again to about 450m. I stopped to have a look at the terrain and the map. I must say that I didn't really fancy the look of a direct approach to the summit from here. Frankly, I didn't think my knee would take it so I carried on on the SUW to pt 476, thinking that I might find better ground along the forest edge fence and finally approach the summit from the south. This, though, did not turn out well as the terrain was very awkward - bog, deep heather, pot-holes and tussocks the size of beach-balls. Added to this a swarm of flies decided to descend upon me to try to get into my ears, nose, eyes and everywhere else. Most unpleasant. Eventually I reached the summit 'cairn' accompanied all the way by my swarm - so many were there that I couldn't even think about stopping for lunch or a break.

On the summit looking over to Dun Rig

Rather than even attempt to go back by the same way, I decided to get back to the SUW by heading more or less due east from the summit, knowing that I would intersect the good track where I could start to relax and maybe take a break. I have to say, though, that this terrain was not much better and was decidedly unkind to my old knee which, by this time, was throbbing constantly. It was a relief to reach the SUW, rest a while and enjoy a snack before setting of back down to Kirkhouse and the mercifully short drive back to my hotel.

Looking back down the SUW towards Innerleithen

Deuchar Law Pan

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