Added by JM
6 Ooters met at Davie's on a fine morning for the trip through to
Wanlockhead. On this occasion we took the motorway down to Abington
before cutting off and heading to our start point at the NATS service
station. Soon we were starting the climb up to the 'golf ball' on
Lowther Hill. Davie had stated (more than once) that this would be an
easy walk, 'You can't get an easier hill walk', he said. 'Aye right,'
said the doubting Thomases. Straight up we went, not following the
road, eventually reaching the top where we were amazed to find a couple
of workmen strimming the grass. 'What's the point?' was the question.
'Nats want it done,' came the reply. It turned out that the firm came
from Kilmarnock and the lad we were talking to was an ex St Joe's
pupil. Coffee was called for and as we sat overlooking the hills and
valleys below us we could see what we agreed had to be heather being
burned off in the distance. The smoke from the fire provided a topic of
conversation as the effect of the incoming rain squall on the shape of
the rising smoke was noted.
The first spots of rain hit us as we moved off on the road towards
Green Lowther. Surprisingly, as we waterproofed up, the rain turned to
hail and then back to rain again as we made the climb up to the highest
point of the day. By the time we had reached the masts the rain had
abated and it was to be gloriously warm and sunny for the rest of the
day. A debate was had about whether we would continue up to Dungrain
Law or whether we would descend from here. The decision was made that
we would push on. 'There's a slight ascent further on,' said Davie
mischievously. So on we went passing over Peden Head before seeing
Dungrain in front of us. Unfortunately in order to get to the top of
Dungrain we had to descend first and therefore lost most of the height
we had gained. It's just us well that Davie was out in front by this
time with his ears turned off. However, the summit was reached and
lunch was called for. For the second week running we had hit it off
with the weather and again the views to be had were worth the climb.
Johnny's boots were beginning to bother him again by this time so he
changed in to a pair of sandals for the rest of the day. The relief on
his face was apparent.
All good things come to an end though. The descent was down the side of
the hill through heather and as we descended we could here the sound of
gunfire across the valley, grouse shooting no doubt. It took a fair wee
while to reach the bottom but as we walked towards the old railway line
we could see behind us the ridge we had walked today, quite impressive!
Just when we thought that the climbing was finished for the day, Davie
said we would take a short cut up the hill in front of us. A note of
resignation to the inevitable overtook us as we started the climb.
However, Davie knew what he was doing and after two minutes and with a
smile on his face he led us on to a path which skirted the hill. Soon
we were on the track taking us to the Leadhills railway station. A
drinks stop was called for and as we rested we could see the grouse
beaters coming down the hill behind us in a regimented line. We
followed the railway line back to the cars and finished the walk at
about 3.10p.m. Having started at 10.30a.m. this made for another good
day.
Davie did admit that it maybe was a moderate walk after all!
FRT was taken at the Black Bull back in Darvel.
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