Queensberry

The night before had seen Graeme, Craig and I forego a wet hike up on Ballencleuch Law and instead make an early start into Brattleburn bothy. It was a wise decision on several fronts. The walk from Middlegill to the bothy was dreich enough and it meant we could truly relax for a few hours once we arrived at the bothy at 1430. A few beers, drams, cheese and ham toasties (Diablo vs Aura?) and some good chat while watching bothy TV was a fine way to set us up for the walk into Queensberry the next day. We were rewarded with a fine and cold day, which made the walk very pleasant indeed. After picking up a coffee in Moffat, we drove along the minor road to Beattock and into the car park at the end of the road. we could see the snow-capped peak of Queensberry in the distance.

It was a real treat to leave the heavy packs behind and take the light packs - I took my 10 litre running pack with tailwind and the bare necessaries. We decided to follow the Land Rover track to Lochanhead then head up via the treelike, which was in shade, since this would theoretically be frozen. Oddly, it wasn't as frozen as we would have preferred but we made good progress anyway. Craig rightly shouted at me to slow it down as I was in 'ultra' mode. Not a great fan of wind turbines next to hills stature, I thought they made a decent accompaniment to what otherwise may have seemed a bland approach. The final rise up the summit was through fresh powder snow and typically, as we approached the cairn, the clag descended. We looked for Burleywhag but to no avail. We decided after summit shots, to head over to Harestane Heights and descend that way but we went off in a more Easternly direction and ended up heading back below the crags before a slightly boggy return to the Land Rover track. We were back at the car in about 3 hours - this was my 50th Donald and 66th Graham. A nice, wee jaunt with Graeme and Craig at a much more leisured pace.

Beinn Tharsuinn (Ardross)

While staying in Jemimaville, I spied this hill every day. On the 5th day of the holiday, I finally agreed to head over after Martha was put to bed, and claim it as part of an evening sojourn. I left Jemimaville at 1745 and was soon up at the large layby, which had various signs up suggesting that walking into quarries was a bad idea. As I started my run along this track, the skies looked gorgeous, with beautiful cloud formations stretching over my intended hill.

The first 4km of this were very runnable and within 30 minutes, I was starting the climb proper. Once past the quarry, the ground was awkward with deep heather but I pushed on and within 45 minutes, I was at the summit trig point drinking the views in. Although the immediate views to the North sea were  nice, I believe I possibly had a 50 mile view to Suilven, which was poking out in the distance. Certainly Seana Braigh was the obvious large hill in that direction. I sent a text to Em saying all was well and began the run back down the hill. My pace was good and I felt pretty liberated. I was back at the car in 1 hour 50 minutes, which wasn't bad for a 13km run with 550m ascent. Great wee hill.

Creag Dhubh (Newtonmore)

On the way back from UHI exam board, I had long spied this hill and promised 'one day'. Well today was the day. I drove down from Inverness and the day was fine, which was a bonus. I parked up neatly at the climber's car park next to Lochain Uvie, then headed through the gate. The climb was steep and awkward since some recent rain had reduced the bracken/rock to very greasy conditions. When I checked my Strava activity here, it took me a full 29 minutes to scale the first kilometre of hill even though the ascent was 330m. Once I got through the bracken and up the heather, I then reached the fence and stile, whereupon the going was much easier i.e. there was a path. While I didn't particularly enjoy the first km, the views once on the ridge proper were exquisite. For such a wee hill, it's a great view from all angles, particularly over to the 3 Munros west of Newtonmore. The other Graham to the north-west also looked attractive. I soon raced up the ridge to the summit proper and attempted to speak some broken German to a couple who were having a blast. I ran down the ridge and eventually down towards the forest, which extended the walk somewhat. That said, I was back at the car within 75 minutes of leaving it and this was a fine 5K run/walk with plenty to offer.

Cruinn a Bheinn

At only 35 minutes from the house, I have long put off the idea of taking in Cruinn a Bheinn and combining the West Highland Way. However, as part of Highland Fling training, I could see a route of a few miles which would take in the Graham. My plan was to go light and head from Rowardennan up on to the Ptarmigan ridge and rather than the final push up on to Ben Lomond, deviate to the North. From the bealach, I would head up and over the Graham, before making for the land rover track and down towards Cailness. From here, it was only a 5-mile run back along the WHW. So, on a fine and cold morning, I left the car and starting running to the wee path a kilometre from the car. I couldn't remember the statue on the edge of Loch Lomond but it was very pretty.

What wasn't pretty was the hard going up the Ptarmigan ridge for a couple of kilometres. Pretty much 650m straight up. Although I pushed hard, it was 45 minutes until I reached the bealach between Ptarmigan and Ben Lomond. The glorious sunrise over Glasgow was immense but my iPhone didn't capture it very well. Loch Lomond stretched away in the distance with its islands on a beautifully serene morning. It was very cold up on the bealach and I didn't hang around. I headed down the ridge, taking care not to lose my footing over thick, grassy tussocks. I was surprised by how much descent there was down to Cruinn a Bheinn. Somewhat disheartened, I began the walk back up on the Graham and I struggled a bit up this, with the relatively quick pace catching up with me. Within 1 hour 30, I was on the Graham summit. It has to be said, the view is splendid with the Arrochar Alps in full view and an impressive Ben Lomond N face coming into sight. This would be a nice spot for a wild camp.

For me though, I had a quick bite and it was off over the bogs to make for the land rover track. This was the least favourite part of my trip out and once on the track proper, it felt a relief to change out of soaking socks. I changed my sock, took off my trousers and began the run back to the car. I dropped down quickly on the zig-zags to Cailness, before heading back to the car on the WHW. In 5 months, I'll be running the other way so it was a good chance to recce the terrain. I was a little surprised by the up and down nature of the 5 mile stretch and once again, this highlights to me not to go out too fast along the relatively fast and flat part between Milngavie and Balmaha. I ran past Rowchoish bothy and enjoyed the peace of the woodland in Winter. I only saw 4 people in that 5 mile run and doing the WHW in Winter must be the way to go for peace and solitude. I was back at the car 3.5 hours after setting off with stats of a 21km trip and 1079m ascent.

Andrewhinney Hill

The Winter bothy trip this year saw Over Phawhope bothy being elected. Initial head count was 4 but flu and family commitments did for Craig and Darren, respectively. Thus, Graeme and I hatched a scheme to take in the ridge from Bodesbeck Law to Herman Law, which included this Graham. The M74 was out of service so the drive down took me through Peebles, Innerleithen and then South through the windy roads. I met Graeme as agreed at 1000 and we dropped one of the cars off at the road end, before ascending up on to Bught Hill. I hadn't seen Graeme for some time so we had plenty to catch up on as per usual. In fact, before long we were up on to Bodesbeck Law and we hadn't even got to more serious matters such as Dunfermline FC's form. The sun threatened to cut through the clouds but it would be a full hour before that would happen.

We continued onwards and followed the fence more or less to the end of our route. The best part of the walk for me was the part between Bell Craig and Andrewhinney Hill, where the views opened up to White Coomb, Loch Skene and the Grey Mare's Tail. The Winter scene was truly splendid. That area truly is wonderful and I must get back there again.

We continued on towards the Graham and unfortunately strayed in Scotland's football faux-pas. Pink shirts and shite form meant more of the same dross results under wee Gordy, a likeable but ultimately out of favour manager. When will he get the push?

After Andrewhinney Hill, we began the march over to the 4th Donald of the day, meeting a chap who bade hello but moved on quick. We eyed three hills in the distance - were they the Eildons? One to confirm.

The summit of Trowgrain was impressive, more so than the last hill and within 4.5 hours, we had dropped down and over Cossar's Hill in a snow flurry.

The short drive back to the car saw us exchange day sacks for the heavy sack and us both carrying extra wid into the bothy whereupon we met a work party of 5. Davie, Bryan, Kenny, Beth and Kevin were welcoming and plied us with sloe gin liqueur, the best toasties ever and good banter. At one point, Kenny started talking about the 'little people' and it was at this time, sentence structure disintegrated. I retired at 2300 and had an excellent sleep albeit the head was a little sore the next morning. I intend to come back to this bothy for Ettrick Pen as my last Donald. Cheers G!

Craignaw & Mullwharchar - into the wild

A chance to head to Glentrool and into the wilds of the Southern Highlands. I had been down here previously to bag the Merrick, as well as some of the other Donalds and Grahams including Lamachan Hill and Curlywee. So, it was an area I returned to with some fondness. I had originally planned to do this trip and break it up my wild camping. I wasn't sure where I would camp and would just see how things went. As it was, I got away from work at noon and was ready to start my walk at 1355. Could I get round the 3 Donalds (including Dungeon Hill) and back by nightfall? 

I took the path to the sign for the cut-off just after the gate and came across an unusually felled tree - lightning strike perchance. From here, it was a nice path across the bottom of Buchan Hill, which finally turned the corner and up into the coire. The river was flowing fast and I began to worry about the crossing at Loch Neldricken. At times, the path was very boggy but it quickly took me up to the plateau and the crossing became apparent. Large stepping stones required care but I was across without event. From here, the walk around the loch and below the crags of Craignaw was very pleasant and the sun emerged. Views back to the Merrick were lovely and the loch lapped at the water's edge - you'd be hard pushed to find a better beach!

The hard work began up the gully and I was keen to find the memorial to the two pilots who died in 1979. About 200m SW of the summit, I came across the cairn/memorial, with some plane wreckage. It would have been a beautiful spot had it not been for the events that happened here many years ago. I continued on to the summit of Craignaw and the view across to Dungeon Hill was stunning. My next objective, I made the awkward descent off Craignaw and over to the Deil's putting green. The afternoon was disappearing and once up on to Dungeon Hill, the sun had disappeared too. I made my way down to the bealach between this hill and Mullwharchar. It was 1730 and I was feeling a bit tired - I hadn't had proper food since a kitkat at 1500, and lunch had been at 1100. I decided to boil some water and have some coffee and porridge. Having had my breakfast, I made the decision that I would bag Mullwharchar and make for home. 

The weather deteriorated once at the summit but fantastic views to Loch Doon and back down Loch Enoch perked me up. Caffeinated too more likely. I began the long tramp back to the car but it wasn't long before I was on the Rig of Enoch and the good path back down. I reached the car at 2015, without need for the head torch. It had been a beautiful trip into a very wild place. The terrain was incredibly rough with good paths at a premium. But, I think this is what made it so special.

Corra Bheinn

What developed from being a day with low cloud turned into one of those rare and memorable experiences on the hill. A family holiday to Mull meant that I had earned a wee trip up one of the Grahams still on my outstanding list - of which there are many. Emma and baby would drive round to Bunessan for buns, drop me off in Glen More and then come back and pick me up after cake consumption. This gave me a window of approximately 2 hours so it was shorts and fell shoes once out of the car. At 6C, I left my jeans behind the old bridge so that if i was down before my wife arrived, I wouldn't get cold.

I took off up the decent path which runs to the Loch (Scriodain, I think) and then made for the obvious SW shoulder. At about 200m, I disappeared into the clag. Given the time constraints, it was head down and go for it, while avoiding some of the crags. At about 500m, I could hear what sounded like motocross and eventually located the source as being a large pool of frogs writhing around in ecstasy. Did they know what was about to happen? At about 550m, I could feel the sun burning through and as I climbed, I looked West hopeful of a cloud inversion and views. I was not wrong and was delighted at the views to Ben More. Getting to the summit trig point and the vista was quite incredible, with Skye on the horizon but the Ben More-A Chioch ridge the star of the show. It was roasting and I enjoyed the sun for 10 minutes before receiving a text that the buns were dry and she was heading to collect me. I was loathe to leave but hastened down the hill and back to the waiting wife within 1 hour 45 minutes. An absolute belter of a hill especially in those conditions.