Length: 6.29 miles 10.1 km
Ascent: +677m
Naismith: 3h 9m
Weather: Dry with occasional showers, wind 40-50 mph gusting to 60/70 mph on the tops.
After a month or two of rain, wind, and more rain and wind, Mrs H and I were, to put it mildly, desperately in need of some excersise.
The forecast for the day suggested that walking would be near impossible to the north so a Munro was out of the question. I didn't particularly fancy a squelch in the Galloways and even the Lakes forecast didn't suggest a long drive and a short day would be a suitable investment.
I took a chance and suggested a small hill in the vicinity of the Borders. I didn't hear a no...
So, Broughton it was.
The drive down to Biggar was pleasant enough and the wee back road to Broughton quiet. Turn left at the T junction and then first right up to Broughton Place, round the back of the farm and on to the walkers car park next to the shepherds cottage (enough space for about 10 cars).
We followed the John Buchan Way (13 miles to Peebles) for a half mile or so and then followed a faint track up Cat Cleugh Head and then up Trahenna Hill for the first Marylin of the day. The ridge then winds NWish across Grey Yade, Green Lairs and on to Hammer Head. The latter can be seen clearly from the carpark. The wind picked up and the hard shells gloves and hats went on. It was blowing hard by the time we reached Hammer Head. We were wearing enough clothes for a whiteout on Cairngorm and my weather eye could see a shower coming in from the plains.
I elected to drop down out of the wind to the north and as we lost height the shelter improved and the temperature rose until we stood on the JBW again and paused for water and mini mars bars.
With plenty daylight left, it was up again, following a quadbike track onto Broomy Side, the wind rising again as we gained height. As we reached the ridge line another light shower was passing in the now gale force wind. All the clothes went back on as we caught up (yes, caught up) with some like minded walkers.
Green Law was passed on the way to the summit of Broughton Heights (aka Pyked Stane Hill). By now the wind was fierce and cold so I moaned at Mrs H as she took a couple of pics and we set off back the way we had come.
Back on the JBW, slightly west of where we started up Broomy Side, another wee pause for sandwiches and then a nice (if boggy) amble back to the car.
We shall return (on a nicer day) there is a nice horseshoe to be done and another Marylin to tick.
Ascent: +677m
Naismith: 3h 9m
Weather: Dry with occasional showers, wind 40-50 mph gusting to 60/70 mph on the tops.
After a month or two of rain, wind, and more rain and wind, Mrs H and I were, to put it mildly, desperately in need of some excersise.
The forecast for the day suggested that walking would be near impossible to the north so a Munro was out of the question. I didn't particularly fancy a squelch in the Galloways and even the Lakes forecast didn't suggest a long drive and a short day would be a suitable investment.
I took a chance and suggested a small hill in the vicinity of the Borders. I didn't hear a no...
So, Broughton it was.
The drive down to Biggar was pleasant enough and the wee back road to Broughton quiet. Turn left at the T junction and then first right up to Broughton Place, round the back of the farm and on to the walkers car park next to the shepherds cottage (enough space for about 10 cars).
We followed the John Buchan Way (13 miles to Peebles) for a half mile or so and then followed a faint track up Cat Cleugh Head and then up Trahenna Hill for the first Marylin of the day. The ridge then winds NWish across Grey Yade, Green Lairs and on to Hammer Head. The latter can be seen clearly from the carpark. The wind picked up and the hard shells gloves and hats went on. It was blowing hard by the time we reached Hammer Head. We were wearing enough clothes for a whiteout on Cairngorm and my weather eye could see a shower coming in from the plains.
I elected to drop down out of the wind to the north and as we lost height the shelter improved and the temperature rose until we stood on the JBW again and paused for water and mini mars bars.
With plenty daylight left, it was up again, following a quadbike track onto Broomy Side, the wind rising again as we gained height. As we reached the ridge line another light shower was passing in the now gale force wind. All the clothes went back on as we caught up (yes, caught up) with some like minded walkers.
Green Law was passed on the way to the summit of Broughton Heights (aka Pyked Stane Hill). By now the wind was fierce and cold so I moaned at Mrs H as she took a couple of pics and we set off back the way we had come.
Back on the JBW, slightly west of where we started up Broomy Side, another wee pause for sandwiches and then a nice (if boggy) amble back to the car.
We shall return (on a nicer day) there is a nice horseshoe to be done and another Marylin to tick.
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