Kilsyth Hills and Meikle Bin

I love Mondays now that I am not working, especially when the weather is good. The weekend walkers have long gone home and I have the hills to myself again.

There was a freezing cold high pressure area over the Kilsyth hills and although I was at the top of Meikle Bin in November, I was robbed of the views when the mist descended as I left the forest road, heading for the top. I thought it was time to try again and see the views. It was a good hill to push Holly the dog that little bit further.

As I drove past Loch Carron, Meikle Bin looked very attractive covered in snow. I mused as I thought it a good test to see how Holly would handle the white stuff without crampons.



I parked at the west end of the loch and started walking along the forest road towards the hill. It looked very distant and high from this angle but in reality, a return walk is around 6.5 miles and it is only 1870ft high.



There was a hard frost on the grass at loch level but not a breath of wind. I listened to some birds singing happily in the trees. Another month and it would be nesting time again



When the forest road left the loch and started climbing, I came across the snow level and walking was a little difficult as it had been compacted into ice by the many weekend walkers. I chose to walk on the grass verge rather than risk a slip on the road. I was happy with the thought that the normal bog fest through the woods before emerging onto the open hillside would be frozen solid, and easy going.



It was a truelly beautiful day for a walk. The cold air was very clear and as I started up the open hillside, I could see Loch Lomond behind me, with Ben Lomond and the arrochar Alps, all the way round to Stobinian and Ben More were covered in snow



I could see from tracks that a few weekend walkers had used crampons and wondered how I would get on without them on the ice slopes. It was no problem as long as I kept off the compressed snow of the path. The snow was about nine inches deep but Holly had no problems with it as it could support her weight without falling though. She took a great interest on the aircraft wreckage near the summit.



Then we were at the summit, which was as bald of snow as myself and Holly are of hair. I thought I would have great views from the top this time round.



I looked south expecting to see the high rise flats of Glasgow but all I saw was... mist. The valley was full of it so I guess the people of Glasgow were not having such a good Monday as me, especially if they were working. I could see the huge windfarm on the high plains of the Eaglesham Moors beyond Glasgow. Not one blade was turning.



The mist streched along the central belt to Grangemouth. Its chimneys were still belching out the waste smog from the oil refinery so something was working.



It was clear views all the way to the north east over a frozen Loch Carron. I could see the Ochil hills and Lewis Hill above North Third, all recent walks in this blog.



From horizon to horizon I could see distant hills covered in white snow and wind generators.

Not one of them were earning any money as they were all stationary in the windless atmosphere. I didn't earn a penny either but at least I had a great Monday :-D



It was also Holly's longest walk and she managed just fine..its now time to get her going some decent walks. She has to earn her keep :-D

Kilsyth Hills and Cort Ma Law

I did this walk in November but have decided to blog it so there there is some continuity to my hillwalks all within easy travelling distance from the central belt.

Although the hills are not high, the big advantage for me is I can do half a dozen local walks on the same amount of petrol as driving to one higher munro walk.

As you may have noticed, I like leaving my footprints on as many hills as possible but also like to save my carbon footprint so others may enjoy the same freedom in years to come.

Im also saving the longer journeys for the warmer weather when I get the boats back on the water. Im hoping to have a summer of adventure on the high seas and deep sea lochs off the north west coast of Scotland ... roll on summer :-D

This walk to Cort Ma Law starts at the car park on the Crow Road, just north of Lennoxtown. The car park is quite high and offers good views over the countryside before you even put your boots on.



But make the most of the relaxing view because as soon as you start walking, its straight up the steep slope to Crichton's Cairn. The views south get better by the minuite.



It can get a bit boggy so wear sensible footwear, and if you think the path is wet.. dont try leaving it or your feet may drown.



Like most hill walks in this area, once you get the initial climb behind you, the rest of the walk is on flat plateau and the paths are dotted with cairns to assist navigation in the mist



Eventually you come to the trig point on the summit of Cort Ma Law which is 531m high. The hill in the background is Meikle Bin which is the highest point of the Kilsyth Hills.



I still had a fair bit of energy left after summiting Cort Ma Law so started to head in the direction of Meikle Bin, with a half notion of climbing it too. This is a view looking dwn the valley towards Fintry and is about half way from Cort Ma Law towards Meikle Bin



I waded around in the boggy ground until I reached the forest at the foot of the Bin then followed it to see if there was an easy way through. I hate trying to push through thick forest plantations and have memories of a few difficult times doing so in the Galloway hills, where I got lost for a bit and then stuck in deep bogs. I finally broke free, scratched to pieces and very muddy



I decided agaist pushing through the forest so headed for Birkenbirn Reservoir instead. I was happy only getting wet feet with no scratched hands and face. Meikle Bin was for another day.



Returning by much the same route I came but this time I went closer to the escarpment to see the views. The warm air was condensing on the escarpment and spilling over in the form of clouds.



The City of Glasgow looked as pretty as the city of Glasgow can be.. and was quite atmospheric in the damp atmosphere. For some reason I started humming the words of the late Gerry Rafferty song when I took this photo.

Clouds to the left of me ... Jokers to the righ
Here I am ... Stuck in the middle with you.

RIP Gerry..your songs are still fondly remembered ..even at Cort Ma Law



Then all too soon, I was descending the slopes and heading back to the car. Another lovely day in the hills under my belt. I am also pleased to say my belt is getting looser again as I walk the xmas excess off nicely.