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After being told we would be having a uni. trip to Langholm, I thought it would be a nice idea to visit one of the more 'remote' (and notoriously dull apparently) Donalds, Cauldcleuch Head. It would bag one of the two outliers that a few Donaldists find difficulty with - living in Dumfries does have some upsides!
Jack picked us up and took the Annan road to Langholm where we had a great invasive non-native species presentation from the Galloway Fisheries Trust. We were free by about 1:30pm so made our way over to Billhope.
Into the Borders:
Bridge at Parking Space:
Followed the Tilhill forestry path in until we reached the faint crossroads. I suggested to take the right fork as it looked a bit more defined and would put us on a better path. As the path ended, we decided the best way up was along the flanks of Pennygant Hill rather than North Mid Hill - (This was actually a great decision as the way up was less steep and less boggy!)
Iain on the flanks:
Jack looking over to Tudhope Hill:
The going was steep but soon levelled off a bit. We never went properly onto the ridge, instead just curving around the edge. Very mossy and peaty ground but much less tussocks than expected!
First view of summit:
Curving round:
About 2 minutes from the summit, there was some light rain but it only persisted for a few minutes. It was properly windy, as expected. We were right at the edge of an advancing front, but it seemed to retreat after the small shower. Tudhope Hill appeared higher than Cauldcleuch Head for the great majority of the walk - only at the 600m mark or so did it start to look smaller.
Edge of front:
Only summit over 2000ft for almost 15 miles around!:
Jack at top:
South-West from summit:
Looking back:
We decided the best way down would be North Mid Hill as it was short but steep and didn't require curving the whole way back along with some reascent. It was much boggier than the way up though.
Back down:
Sunlit Billhope Burn:
We took the other path that follows the burn back to the fork in the path and enjoyed a peaceful and sunny walk back to the car. Jack gave me a shot of his Clio back to the A Road as I have just got insurance for my girlfriend's car and he wanted to see how I fared - I'm choosing old bangers over a new hatchback any day! Pleasant drive back along the picturesque (but very precarious!) road and then back to Dumfries.
