The forecast for today was awful, constant heavy rain and strong winds. We therefore decided to stay low and ascent some Sub2000ft Marilyns.
We initially drove to Stranraer to ascend what I think is my furthest-from-home mainland Scotland Marilyn. I parked at the start of the track leading up towards the summit transmitter. Parking is really limited, room for one car at a push.
Hill: Cairn Pat
Date: Monday 24th September 2012
Company: Myself and John
Dog friendly: No (couple of locked gates)
Distance: 2km, Ascent: 94m
Time: 28Mins
Click here to see a map of the route undertaken
Not much to say about the route, just follow the track to the summit.
Start of track up Cairn Pat:
Looking towards summit transmitter:
We didn't spend long at the summit as the weather was pants and we got no views across to the Antrim coast.
Summit of Cairn Pat:
Transmitter at the summit of Cairn Pat:
We returned to the car via the same route and then drove to Kilwhannel for an ascent of Beneraird.
Hill: Beneraird
Date: Monday 24th September 2012
Company: Myself and John
Distance: 9.1km, Ascent: 323m
Time: 2Hrs
Click here to see a map of the route undertaken
During our ascent and descent of Beneraird, the rain progressively got heavier. My camera stayed in the bag for most of the walk.
Start of track leading to Beneraird:
We followed the track from Kilwhannel to the summit of Beneraird. The track was very wet in places.
View from muddy track:
Track leading towards Beneraird:
Again we didn't spend long at the summit. After taking a couple of photos, we returned to the car via the same route.
Summit of Beneraird:
By the time we got back to the car we couldn't have been wetter if we had jumped in a loch. Despite being soaked, we decided to ascend one more Marilyn. We therefore drove to the starting point for Knockdolian.
Hill: Knockdolian
Date: Monday 24th September 2012
Company: Myself and John
Distance: 2.3km, Ascent: 235m
Time: 53Mins
Click here to see a map of the route undertaken
There are no photos for this report as it was still raining heavily.
We took to the hillside from the B7044 beside a sign stating Knockdolian (800ft). The short section up to the gate was VS (very slippery).
After going through the gate and tying it back shut I turned round to see a load of bullocks. These bullocks initially stared at us then ran away in the opposite direction. As we quickly made our way round the edge of the field the bullocks turned round and started running back towards us. We practically ran up the hill to the gate near the top. The bullocks couldn't keep up
.Beyond the gate, the final section to the summit was steep but straight-forward. We didn't spend long at the summit trig point before returning back to the gate.
We then used SAS escape and evasion techniques to get back to the bottom gate undetected by the bullocks. We weren't spotted until at the other side of the bottom gate from where we gave them a friendly wave. Eat your heart out Bear Gryllis.
I think Knockdolian would be a fantastic wee hill in good weather. One I want to re-visit.