Spartleton and whiteadder

[laconic surf]

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Having a couple of hours to spare on a tuesday morning, a wee visit to the Lammermuirs was called for. The road down to the reservoir is a quick undulating trip, save for the occasional glaikit sheep in the road
Parked up and headed up the track beside the whiteadder water.

Car park overlooking reservoir

There is gentle wee climb along the bottom of Summer Hill until reaching the ruins of Gamelshiel Castle.

Track leading to the ruins

Ruins of Gamelshiel Castle

Here the track turns North and the going gets a little steeper as the ascent of the sub2k marilyn Spartleton begins. There is a gap in the fence where the gate is now lying in a heap on the floor, presumably a casualty of the recent high winds. From here the track continues North but I decided a nice climb across the heather was in order. It was a little boggy in places and very bumpy, meaning the ankles were rolling around a wee bit but it was a nice push to the summit.

Crystal Rig wind farm comes into view

Pathless climb to the summit

Cairn and trig point

Wee refreshment at the top before heading down to the gate was supposed to be next, but instead I started daydreaming and wandered south on the descent and totally missed the opening. A wee scout around and I spotted it up ahead back up the incline *£!"**%^"!
Unscheduled ascent done I followed the faint path towards the windfarm and the huge pylons. Here the path joined a stone road and joined onto the ancient Herring road where the Dunbar fishwives would lug the wee fishes to the market in Lauder. This road goes downhill into the valley below before turning south and back along the whiteadder towards the car park. This was a really lovely couple of hours out, highly recommended to anyone passing down that way, didn't see a soul all day.

Herring road

Track through the valley

The home straight...

[ybhighlands]

Lovely pictures! I wish I could be there right now!

[Tinto63]

This is on my 'to do' list. Thanks for the route and pics.

[Johnny Corbett]

Nice one i like it. I've got a rather long to do list and this is on it

[morag1]

Really nice report

I've never been to the Lammermuirs and I've never even seen Spartleton so enjoyed looking at your photos

Ps also enjoyed your photos of Cairnpapple

[laconic surf]

Thanks guys. I'm lucky to be 20 mins from the Lammermuirs, I only passed two cars between Gifford and the reservoir, it really is a great place to walk if you want to get away from it all. There is something about the colours in these hills that you don't see too often.

[gmr82]

Thanks guys. I'm lucky to be 20 mins from the Lammermuirs, I only passed two cars between Gifford and the reservoir, it really is a great place to walk if you want to get away from it all. There is something about the colours in these hills that you don't see too often.

Not exactly the most prompt response............this was actually my first 'official' hill walk. Been trying to think why I chose this but I really can't remember (especially with the Pentlands being visible each day on my walk to work!). Definitely worth a trip, as LS says, lovely colours in this area and very quiet hills, and I enjoyed the drive from Edinburgh almost as much as the walk. A really peaceful drive in amongst the undulating hills - just watch out for sheep in the middle of the road!

[Moobli]

Lovely report and great photos.

Aye, definitely watch out for the sheep in the road - they are mine!

[laconic surf]

Lovely report and great photos.

Aye, definitely watch out for the sheep in the road - they are mine!

Haha, will do
Since i first did this walk over a year ago, i probably now do it once or twice a month. Must have summited spartleton about 20 times now - often meet the farmer or his workers, friendly chaps. They were relaying part of the herring road but haven't been back in last month to see the finished product. I often wander over to the crystal rig, i must admit i quite like it.
If you see me with my boxer dog, giz a wave