Windswept Whiteadder Wander

It has been so long now since I've enjoyed an excursion in the Lammermuir Hills. I've been hankering after running a circuit around Whiteadder Reservoir, taking in a couple of the hills which stand above the waters. Last weekend, with snow in the Pentland Hills just a stone throw from home, I simply had to go up there, and it was great. This weekend, snow melted, I'm off to scratch the itch around Whiteadder, a bit of a drive, should be well worth the effort!

I've parked near the picnic area south-east of the reservoir. Just a couple of hundred yards back along the road and then a right onto the soft earth up and over the Hungry Snout. Steep at first away from the road, then easier lovely going beside a strip of forest. Soon the views open up and I can see ahead my first hill today, its called Spartleton. Good running over the grassy green hill farm tracks with wind to my back. Its a strong wind, soon I must make a sharp left, I know this wind will be difficult today.

Short steep start up the Hungry Snout

Easier good going on the soft ...

... soon the views open and I see Spartleton ahead.

Lovely running on the green hill farm tracks with great views behind.

I've made my sharp left, onto rougher tracks, much softer under-foot, sometimes flooded. Surprisingly, my feet seem to be pretty dry at the moment, so I feel its worth diverting around the watery pools, through the heather and tussocs. The wind, as expected, is causing difficulties, movement into the wind is much impeded, meaningful running is almost impossible. Short while later I land on a dirt track, a gravel/stone road. For various reasons the Lammermuirs seem to have a lot of these roads, they are not usually my favourite way of getting around the hills, but some firmer ground under-foot is welcome at the moment. The reason for the road, in this case, is probably wind farms. There are a lot of wind farms in these hills. I'm good with the whole renewable energy thing - just a shame these structures spoil the views (more on this later). I've got this track all the way to the summit, without the wind it would be a section of easy enough uphill running, with this wind I am finding I can walk faster than I can run, strange ... anyway, the summit cairn and trig are reached, and a welcome breather to take some pictures.

Now rougher tracks heading toward the summit ...

... with diversions around the watery pools.

Lammermuir style hill roads with wind-farm in the distance

The roads will take me up to the summit now

The summit cairn and trig at last ...

... and a fine view of a wind-farm.

I am guessing you might have noticed a wind-farm there ... well anyway I'm looking ahead at the route forward. Hmm, wind-farms means pylons. I've decided to stay on the dirt track a short while, I know I will come to a left turn onto a soft farm track which leads in the general direction of my next touristic direction. I avoid another water hazard crossing Cot Cleugh and then the first nav error of the day, took the wrong turn and had to plough across marshy rough to reach the ruins of Gamalshiel Castle next to Hall Burn. (Note to self: research history of this castle.) Wet feet now! Short pause to take some pictures of the ruins, answer the call of nature, and a fast descent on more soft green hill farm tracks to the reservoir. On the descent, spotted a couple of walkers ascending on Sprottylea Rig, the only other folk I saw out today.

Begin descent on the dirt track, more wind-mills and pylons

Happy to leave the hard road on soft green hill farm tracks again ...

... avoid the flooded place crossing Cot Cleugh ...

... and on past the ruins of Gamelshiel Castle near Hall Burn.

Alas, not much choice, but just under a mile on the asphalt now. I discover that I am on the "Herring Road". The sign reads ... "This old path is named because it was used by the fishwives of Dunbar when carrying massive creels of herring to market in Lauder. This track was one of the many different routes that were used by the fishwives over the centuries as paths became eroded and were replaced." These folk lived hard lives, they were tough, respect! Running along the road toward Priestlaw Farm, a flock of geese in the fields to my left, they noisily beat a retreat as I approach. Now ahead of me the small bridge over Faseny Water and the second summit of the day, Priestlaw Hill. I've not been up here before, I have no knowledge of the tracks and paths, so my eyes are scanning the hillside searching for a route. There seems to be a wide path, but I will have to traverse, ascend a little, and then back-track traverse, to get there. Just before the back-track I am seduced by a narrow trod through the heather, I always love a narrow trod. Its tough going, the wind has picked up and is causing even more of a problem now, but the views back down over Faseny Water, the reservoir and Spartleton are a reward.

The "Herring Road"

Flock of geese in the field running away - but you guys can fly!

Bridge over Faseny Water, and Priestlaw Hill ahead.

Ascending Priestlaw on a narrow trod, hard work ...

... but views behind are a reward.

Then the narrow trod dissapears, or perhaps I've just lost the thing semi-blinded by the bright low afternoon sun in my eyes. I can just about make out a traversing sheep track which maybe will lead me to the wider green path I had seen earlier. Luckily this eventually does land me on the track, leading up through a series of well maintained wood and stone grouse butts. The terrain underfoot is easier, but the steep is relentless, and the wind now full to the face is fierce. I am moving head-down, teeth-gritted, and tiring too quickly, I hope I will reach the summit soon. Then I look above my head, and notice this beautiful cloud floating above me. This lifts my spirits, I am moving head-up following the cloud, and soon the summit furniture appears, at last. I take a short pause for the camera, and a quick check of the map, then without more ado, away from here hoping to get out of the wind - its almost blowing me over at the moment!

Trod is lost, traverse, look for a better path.

Just noticed this wonderful cloud swimming through the sky above my head ...

... like a guardian angel it takes me to the summit ...

... views from the summit and another wind-farm.

There's another narrow trod through the heather leading in almost the perfect general direction, so I follow, until it dissappears and more hard work across the rough - but yay its easier and faster now, the wind is mostly to my back, and I'm descending. Surprising number of grouse feeding stations about the place, and I can hear the sounds of gunfire echoing around the bowl of hills above the reservoir. I come out of the rough ground on another hill dirt track, this one softer, more muddy, and it appears to be marked on the map. I'll follow it for a while, enjoy the easier going, soon it bends into the exact wrong direction, but I can see there is a fork, a sharp right back in the correct general direction. The map marks the concentric rings of an ancient hill fort, easily visible on the satellite images, and quite large. I want to find this place, so over the rough again and soon found, a few photos, but what I like best is the colours of the bracken.

Short lived but much enjoyed trod descending ...

... after more rough ground, relief of the dirt track.

Found the rings of the ancient hill fort ...

... for me the main event is the colours of the bracken.

I started this journey today ascending the Hungry Snout to the north of Whiteadder Water. I will just about end this journey descending the Friars' Nose to the south. Love the names here. I stand above the steep descent looking toward the picnic area and the car. I am almost done but there are a couple of issues ahead. First the descent is very steep, not a problem, but there are no paths and the heather is abundant. Soon the heather gives way to easier going and I am scanning the river for a crossing point. I decide to run on to a couple of trees below and pause there to choose a wading point. Turns out, no need, from the trees I can see a bridge - just a couple of barbed wire fence hops then I'm over the river and done, happy enough, feeling it in the legs today.

On the Friars' Nose, looking down to the river ...

... hmm, where shall I wade across ...

... ah, no need, yay!

Tough going for the old plodder, but an enjoyable outing today, and well worth the driving. Checked the garmin data, distance was pretty much 12km dead, total ascent/descent 490m, on the go for 2:00:52. Great sunshine, blue skies, memorable cloud, cold, and that wind. What's not to like, eh? Well, apart from that wind ... oh, by the way, here's the route again.

Enjoy!