Ballageich Hill 18 August

Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Ian, Jimmy, Kenny R, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert

We met in Polnoon Street in Eaglesham on an overcast morning, some parking at the top of the street and others, being smart, parking further down at the Swan Inn, our chosen hostelry today, allegedly! The spirits were good as we set off back up the road to gain the access point to Ballageich Hill. It is 333m in height but most of the ascent is made as you walk up the road, although the last 60m or so up the hill is a steep wee climb. Everyone made it in good time, and we sat down for coffee forty-five minutes after having set off.

The views were decent with Whitelee across the road and the expanse of Greater Glasgow in the distance, with the wind turbine at Cathkin Braes prominent. We could recall the day that Ian Hill took us up there for a walk almost ten years ago. Coffee taken, we moved on across the top of the hill following the track until it was time to descend. The Pathfinders General took us down some rough stuff before emerging on to a cut field leading to Bennan Loch. As we looked back up the hill, we could see a path down the hill some twenty yards or so from where we had descended. You win some, you lose some! The next obstacle was a fairly high barbed wire fence, but fortunately, the lowest strand of wire, not barbed, was loose and we could get below the fence rather than over it. From there it was a walk round the side of the loch and then on to Lochcraig reservoir, noticing a fair amount of works going on, before joining the road up to South Moorhouse Farm.

Some missed the track just before the farm which would take us back towards Eaglesham but eventually we were all on the right road, Lochcraig Road, which took us past the farm which breeds Clydesdale horses, with foals and their mums in the fields, and then up to where it joins Kirkton Moor Road and to our usual lunch spot. This time however, rather than sit at the side of the road, we found a cutting where we were sheltered from the breeze.

The last leg took us past Bonnyton Golf Club and back into the village reaching the cars just after one o’clock having covered 7.3 miles. The weather had been kind and the temperature had picked up on our road back, especially when in sheltered areas.

FRT was to be taken at the Swan but, to our dismay, but we couldn’t swan in to the Swan Inn as it only opens on certain days of the week, and this wasn’t one of them. Those who had parked next to it had been foiled and Plan B was a walk further down to the Eglinton where we enjoyed FRT and a blether. Ian, a very proud grandfather, bought the first round to celebrate the birth of his granddaughter. Thanks Ian!

Having walked from the cars to the Eglinton and back again meant that we probably had done about eight miles in total today. This had been a good day out, finished off with a relaxing time at the Eglinton. 

Coffee with a view

Walking across the top of the hill

One of Jimmy's pictures. He only has a black and white licence

Under, not over

By the loch

Lunch spot