Hill: Lendrick Hill
Date: Wednesday 16th March 2011
Company: Just myself
Time: 1Hr 10Mins
Dog friendly: Yes, apart from 2ft fence not far from summit
For the ascent of Lendrick Hill, I followed the good wide track up through Lendrick forest.
A slightly shorter route would be to ascend directly from the roadside a few
hundred metres further South, however, there is no parking further South and the
hillside there is covered in bracken.
The ascent through the forest was really pleasant. A nice warm sunny day with plenty of birdsong in the air.
Lendrick forest from start of track:
Track through Lendrick forest:
Windfarm:
Ascent track:
During the ascent through the forest, I passed what looked like a good firebreak leading up through the trees. I decided to ignore it in favour of continuing along the good track to get me as high as possible. I did use this firebreak in descent.
On reaching the highest point of the track, which is marked by a cairn, I then made my way through a narrow gap in the trees.
The next photo has come out much brighter than it actually was.
Narrow gap through trees from track high-point:
As I approached the end of the trees, I stopped to take a photo of some beams of sunlight.
Beams of sunlight:
Once out of the forest it didn't take long to reach the summit of Lendrick hill, which is marked by a cairn.
Lendrick hill:
Looking towards trig point from summit cairn:
After a quick visit to the trig point, I returned to the edge of the forest but opted to descend the good firebreak instead.
Descent firebreak:
Looking back up the firebreak:
Once out of the firebreak, I followed the good track back to the car.
Hill: Dumglow
Date: Thursday 17th March 2011
Company: Just myself
Time: 1Hr 45Mins
Dog friendly: No, several barbed-wire fences
I wasn't sure how to ascend Dumglow having not seen any previous reports.
I opted to start from the track leading towards Loch Glow. This turned out to be quite a nice enjoyable walk, albeit a bit wet underfoot in places.
The track leading towards Loch Glow was not that interesting. I was however pleasantly surprised on reaching Loch Glow and seeing Dumglow.
Start of track leading to Loch Glow:
Track leading to Loch Glow:
There is a small car park beside Loch Glow that had quite a number of cars in it and a couple of caravans.
Loch Glow seems to be quite a popular venue for anglers. There were at least a dozen anglers round the loch today.
Dumglow and 336m top across Loch Glow:
I said hello as I passed each of the anglers and did get a couple of friendly replies, however most just ignored me.
The litter, beer cans and bottles to be found around the loch was pretty bad.
I am glad most hillwalkers don't treat the countryside in this way.
On the way out I spoke to one of the anglers asking if what he had caught was brown trout or rainbow trout. He just blurted out
"Trout".
After that I felt like saying, "Are ye sure they're nae haddock!
"
Angler:
Dumglow:
Was nice to get past the anglers and instead meet two nice swans.
Mute Swans:
Mute Swan:
After skirting Loch Glow, I followed a large dry-stane dyke towards Black Loch.
I then ascended Dumglow just to the right of the fence. The ascent was really steep but short-lived; only about
five minutes to get up the slope.
Steep ascent alongside the fence:
Loch Glow from steep hillside:
The views from the summit were quite impressive. Was nice to see and recognise a number of recently-ascended Marilyns.
Forth bridges (zoomed):
Looking across to West Lomond, Bishop Hill and Benarty hill:
Bass Rock and North Berwick Law (zoomed):
View from summit of Dumglow:
After spending five minutes or so at the summit, I returned to the car via the same route.