Three separate walks in June and July.
First walk 27th June was the shortest, to the arch on Colt hill. It’s quite a bumpy drive up from Moniaive to the the parking spot at Cairnhead and I arrived to find my water bag had leaked into the rucksack. So I started with a wet rucksack, but perhaps that helped to keep my back cool. The slowly climbing path is no problem and it is a well maintained forestry road really. Views down the valley are pleasant and there are some good looking albeit small waterfalls on the way up.
The path up Colt hill is quite steep and not much used, I would think, given the length of the grass. It had been raining in the days before I walked and the wet grass managed to soak me from the knees down. Unfortunately it became a bit misty when I got to the arch so I could not see the other arches clearly.
My next visit was on July 11th, this time to visit Benbrack Arch. The way is the same except at the top of the path I turn left which is signposted to the southern upland way. Turning right takes you to Colt Hill. I met a group of about twenty folk coming back from the arch. This section is on the southern upland way but I have to say that the marker posts are not always easily seen and the ground was quite wet in places. The dogs were certainly wet by this time. There comes a time on this walk where the Benbrack arch comes into view and looks to be absolutely miles away, though in reality it is only 15 minutes away. This optical illusion put off Lynn on the next walk.
At Benbrack I had decided to make my way down in a circular route rather than retrace my steps. My aim was to make for little Dibbin Hill then to little Dibbin Lane. At that time I didn’t realise a lane was an unfordable stream. After about 20 minutes though I turned back having got to a fence I could easily have climbed but would have had some trouble getting the dogs over. By that time it was clear that the going that way was pretty rough. There is a fell race that takes the route however, so I can’t help thinking that there is an easier way and I was missing it.
I walked in shorts this day and frowned at various people I saw walking in full gear including gaiters. Well my sunburn the next day showed they had chosen the right gear.
Visit number 3 was 25th July with a leisurely walk up the same route to Cairn Hill and back. This time I remembered to get some pictures of the Byre Arch.
That just leaves the Bail Hill arch to visit.
Tinto doesn’t look much as you stand at the bottom. The path looks easy going but it does go on a bit. There is a massive cairn at the top but no cover anywhere. This proved rather uncomfortable when I wanted a pee and was visible from miles around.
