A walk of two halves

[rob munbett]

Still restricted in what I can attempt because of my awaiting-surgery knee, I headed south to the Clyde Windfarm again to take on four Tumps to the north of the Wandel Burn - not exactly the most exciting of routes but at least I was getting out on some hills. I parked at the entrance to the windfarm just to the north of Wandel and walked up the wide road all the way over Hardrig Head, past the (interestingly named) Deil's Barn Door round to Duncangill Head. It's worth noting that the 577 trig is not the summit which is 579m, on rough ground about half a km to the east. Despite being on a road for most of the walk so far, I was still enjoying views of Tinto, Hudderstone and Culter Fell.

Looking over Culter Fell from Duncangill Head

I had decided that, if my knee allowed, I would go off-road, as it were, to have a walk over Whiteside Hill and Devonshaw Hill on the way back to the car so, with a bit of apprehension, I headed off up the heathery hillside to reach the 440 summit of Whiteside hill. So far so good. The way over to Devonshaw looked straightforward enough but was a bit more awkward with more ups and downs than I expected but the views north along the Clyde valley made the walk worthwhile.

On Whiteside Hill looking over to Devonshaw Hill and Tinto

Then it was a case of heading south to get back to the windfarm road. There was a bit of deep dip of the Woodend Burn to negotiate and some boggy morass and straggly heather before I reached the easy walking of the road - I say easy walking but by now it was more of a painful hobble - and I was glad to reach the car for a seat and a final snack of the day before my drive back home.

Whiteside Hill and Devonshaw Hill from the windfram road

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