Beinn Bhreac and Tullich Hill

Since we got the pooch, it has not been possible to escape for long. It just isn't fair on the dog and so with Em's permission, I was granted the morning off. A nice withdrawal from the emotional bank account! I drove North and not far - hard to believe within 45 minutes, I could be in Glen Douglas and experience the solitude, which I so craved. Rather than make for the slog up Tullich Hill, I stuck to the forest and began the boggy approach up Bhreac. My recent chest infection slowed me down but I still felt quite fit and after a few stops and appreciation of the improving views, I topped out to stupendous views down the whole length of Loch Lomond. The far North looked very white indeed although my presence at 680m meant that I would be excluded from the worst of the weather, which swept in across the larger mountains. The summit is a place to while away some time and an interesting exploration revealed significant rock fissures and evidence of landslip - not a place to explore in the depths of Winter perhaps.

I reluctantly left my resting spot and carried on over to Ben Reoch. Pleasant enough but it did little for me, except provide a relatively steep decline before the re-ascent of Tullich up through some crags. From Tullich Hill, views were good across the glen and to the Cobbler, which looked iconic as per. The descent off Tullich Hill was interesting with a small lochan and two large stones - a fascinating frame for a photo across the glen. I arrived back at the car in just after 4 hours and felt replenished. Nice couple of hills, which leaves me tantalisingly short of the 300-mark for hills over 2000ft.

In Burns country - Blackcraig Hill

A rare sojourn south to Glen Afton and Burns' country. The drive along the glen was clear and uncomplicated but as I parked, the clag was hanging at about 500m. I decided to head past the farm and made along the decent track to Quintin Knowe and its large cairn. I couldn't see a thing and took a compass reading due South up the obvious slope. After about 25 minutes, I arrived at one of several cairns before the trig point emerged from the gloom. I took tea and a sandwich, while huddling against the cold breeze. The first snows are upon us even at 700m. I had decided before the walk to make a loop and take in the neighbouring Donalds of Blacklorg Hill and Alhang. The walk between these hills was not easy as the land is boggy and full of soft hummocks. Fortunately, by the time I descended off the 2nd Donald, the views opened up and I really enjoyed the freedom. There was not a soul on the hill all day sauf moi. Windy Standard was covered in wind turbines and it is shocking that such desecration of land has been allowed to happen. Could you imagine it on Ben Lomond for example or any other Munro? Je ne crois pas. All that remained was the return to the car past an abandoned fruit and veg van. Clearly, NHS Ayrshire and Arran Health Promotion have a job on their hands with the one of the five a day message. I was happy to have 3 hills in a day. Amen.