Circa ten years ago, I had huge enthusiasm for ascending Marilyns and at the time even contempated trying to complete them all. However, my enthusiasm has diminished significantly in the past few years primarily because I have again refocused on doing a second round of Munros and also because of the nonsense associated with remeasuring these summits with the expectation that you have to do the hill again if those doing the measuring proclaim they have found somewhere on the hill a smidge higher than what was previously designated to be the summit. While ticking off lists does provide great focus to repeatedly get out of the house, it is not the be all and end all. The most important thing is to enjoy your day out whether that be on a low-level walk, a Marilyn, a Munro or whatever..

On the way home from the Lake District today we had a couple of short stops to allow me to ascend two Marilyns I had not ascended previously. While both hills were enjoyable they were not comparable to repeating higher, finer hills.

The first of two hills ascended today was Rubers Law in the Scottish Borders.


Hill: Rubers Law
Date: Saturday 28th August 2021
Company: Just myself
Distance: 4.1km, Ascent: 270m
Time: 1Hr 10Mins

For my ascent of Rubers Law we parked near Billerwell. I then set off along a good track next to a deer farm to gain access to the hillside.

Click here to see a map of the route undertaken

Track from Billerwell towards Rubers Law:


Rubers Law with a hint of inversion:


At the end of the track a six-foot deer fence blocked my way to the hill. It was however possible to walk a short distance either left or right to reach gates to pass the fence. On the ascent I opted to go left. In hindsight, it would have been easier to go right in that there is a track ascending the hill if you go to the right but just steep grass if you go to the left.

Rubers Law:


Steep ascent:


View from Rubers Law:


On reaching the summit I stopped to take photographs. As well as the plaque and topograph located on the trig point, I noticed another plaque cut into / stuck onto a nearby rock. This plaque really boiled my piss. Had it been to commemorate someone who had died on the hill that may have been acceptable but no, this was to commemorate a group of church-goers who had walked up the hill at some point during the year 2000 to celebrate the birth of Christ. Sorry but we really do not need such crap littering the hills.

At the summit of Rubers Law:


Trig Point Toposcope


During the descent I collected a deflated helium balloon which I deposited in a bin.

After returning to the car, we drove to Whiteadder Reservoir in the Lammermuirs for an ascent of Spartleton.


Hill: Spartleton
Date: Saturday 28th August
Company: Just myself
Distance: 4.9km, Ascent: 210m
Time: 1Hr 10Mins

From the small angler's car park, I set off towards Spartleton.

Click here to see a map of the route undertaken

This was a pleasant walk apart from the fact the hill is located in prime grouse moor country and as such I had to endure the sound of guns going off throughout the walk as numerous people, no doubt with small penises, were shooting grouse. On speaking to a local at the summit, he told me about a local gamekeeper who keeps a list of everything he shoots always trying to expand the list of species shot. It really is time for land reform to banish this antiquated, anachronism of the well-to-do.

Whiteadder Reservoir:


Spartleton:


Looking back towards Whiteadder Reservoir:


Ascending Spartleton:


The fact this hill also has a very large windfarm located next to it is another good reason why I won't be rushing back in a hurry to repeat this one.

At the summit of Spartleton:


Looking forward to getting back out onto the Munros.