November Day Trip to the Culter Fell area
Bob, Steven, James and I decided to modify the planned walk by making Cardon Hill (675m) and Chapelgill Hill (696m), both Donalds, our main targets for the day. We set off from our parking spot near Culter Allers Farm and walked a short distance along the road to Culter Reservoir before turning onto the track that leads to Juniper Knowes (marked on the 1:25k map) and on to the rather boggy expanse of Glenharvie Moss. Once across the fence that runs towards Cardon Hill, a fairly good ATV track took us around the worst of the peat hags to Birnies Bowrock from where a path through thick heather leads down and up to the summit of Cardon Hill. We had good views to Tinto Hill, Biggar, Broad Law (identifiable by its radio mast and aircraft navigation antenna) and of course the numerous wind farms in the area. We found shelter from the cold wind on the southern slopes of Cardon Hill where we had our lunch.
We returned to Birnies Bowrock from where it is a fairly easy walk south-east to Chapelgill Hill, which is only 20m or so higher. As sometimes happens on Donalds, we spent a bit of time visiting several points that could potentially be the summit .. there are two cairns, but neither was at the 696m spot height shown on the OS map.
Once back at Glenharvie Moss, we decided against a return over Culter Fell and opted for a descent via the track on the ridge above Culter Allers Farm, past some shooting butts and then back to the farm through a forest. The track does not seem to be in regular use anymore and a bit overgrown in places. Still, it provided a pleasant and gradual descent route from the hills. We passed through the farm yard and were soon back at the cars.
On the way home, we stopped at the Abington services for some refreshments. Despite the cold weather, it was another great day strolling around the hills!
Cornel Brozio
November Weekday Walk to the Water of Leith Walkway
