About Me

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Hello! My name is Keith Gault and I've been tramping the hills of the UK and further afield for over 40 years now. This blog records some recent hill days undertaken either on my own, with friends, or with clients under my guided hillwalking Company: Hillways (www.hillways.co.uk). I hope you enjoy my diary; please feel free to comment on any of the walks. I will respond to any direct questions.

Tuesday 28 October 2014

An Otter on Ben Nevis



Glen Nevis

It’s been a while so it was good to return to Ben Nevis recently for what proved to be an ascent with a difference!

Going Strongly For The Top!
Torrential rain and gale-force winds during the previous 48 hrs did not bode well for the climb but come the day, the bad stuff was all gone by breakfast leaving us with a calm and largely clear day.  That said, there was plenty of groundwater about the place and a million new burns cascading down the mountainside to contend with.

A Very Full Red Burn
We made excellent progress and didn’t enter cloud until well up the zig-zags at about 1000m.  A light, but chilly, breeze on the summit was the only adverse weather we encountered all day and we were on top in exactly 3 hrs.  No view, but spirits were high after such a quick ascent - and the guys had plenty of energy left for the descent.

A Murky Summit!
This was accomplished at a similar pace and we needn’t have worried about the shortening winter days as we were back at the car in 5¼ hrs!  

Glen Nevis
However, my own personal highlight has to be the amazing sight of an otter crossing the main path right in front of us!  He was heading in the general direction of Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe at 600m above sea level and we were so surprised, no-one had time to grab a camera before he had slunk out of view!

Autumn Colours In The Glen
I’ll be ready for him next time mind… 

Check out my plans for this winter at:  http://www.hillways.co.uk/   

Sunday 12 October 2014

The Seven Hills of Edinburgh



Castle Rock From Blackford Hill

Last weekend’s very acceptable autumnal weather invited a repeat circuit of the Seven Hills of Edinburgh - first undertaken in November 2010.  The hills form an arc of 7 volcanic plugs within the city limits and range in height from 108m to 251m above sea level.  Once a year on a June Sunday, a combined race/challenge is held in which hardened runners and keen walkers attempt a rapid round of all 7 hills.  The record currently stands at a little under 1 hr 40 mins!  Alternatively, they can be climbed at a more leisurely pace either singly, or in convenient clutches of two or more. But at least once, they deserve to be tackled in one circuitous walk which combines the city centre, suburban Edinburgh and the hills themselves.

Castle Rock 


Castle Rock

Three of us started at 09.40 from Festival Square in the heart of the city, as convenient a start/finish point as any.  A peaceful stroll through beautiful Princes St Gardens didn’t quite go to plan as the gentle autumnal splendor suddenly reverberated to a  cacophony of horns and motorbike engines.  It appeared that the Gardens were about to receive a visit from a colourful Harley Davidson motorcade complete with flags and banners!  The zig-zag path up the north side of Castle Rock is currently closed off so we re-routed via the Mound which we also shared - this time, with a lot of foreign tourists up early to catch the sights!  Unless you wish to divest yourself of the pricey entrance fee to Edinburgh Castle, the Esplanade serves perfectly satisfactorily as the token summit of Castle Rock (131m) and we duly celebrated our first ‘summit’.  One down; 6 to go!  (Elapsed time: 25 mins).
Calton Hill

Calton Hill
Descending back down the Mound, we wasted no time negotiating Princes St to reach the foot of Calton Hill (108m).  This diminutive hillock nevertheless commands impressive views across Edinburgh and out across the Forth which today, lay shrouded in a blanket of coastal cloud.  The hill is decorated with various monuments, follies and towers (not all of them finished - and never will be) that give added interest.  However, it is the all-round views you will remember and Calton Hill gives great reward for the minimal effort required to conquer it!  (Elapsed time: 50 mins).
Arthur's Seat

Arthur's Seat
In contrast, the next hill – the highest of the seven - does require some effort to climb it.  Arthur’s Seat is a sizeable lump of grass and rock to find in the middle of a capital city and it certainly repays repeat visits.  These first 3 summits are grouped conveniently close together and it didn’t take long to descend from Calton Hill and rush past the architectural eyesore that is the Scottish parliament building before the climbing started again.  The sudden appearance of a swarm of tourists climbing below Salisbury Crags prompted a hasty re-route.  So we opted instead for a route up Dry Dam and Long Row before surmounting the extremely busy summit cone of Arthur’s Seat (251m).  Obviously, the views excel in every direction and you can see all the other Edinburgh hills from here quite clearly.  Today, as on all Sundays, the summit is a busy spot and there are better paces to linger.  (Elapsed time: 2 hrs 5 mins).
Blackford Hill

Blackford Hill From Braid Hills
Descending to the western gate of Holyrood Park and past the refurbished (and impressive) Royal Commonwealth Pool, we paused for some lunch before heading south towards the relatively quiet streets of suburban Newington.  Our next goal, Blackford Hill (164m) marks the northernmost point of a large open area in the south of the city and is a great viewpoint.  The area is criss-crossed by a network of paths that snake their way through the grass and gorse - the latter making a springtime visit particularly rewarding!  The hill’s flanks are home to the Royal Observatory, a golf course and Blackford Pond.  To the south, the slopes fall steeply to the hidden wooded glade of the Braid Burn and the Hermitage of Braid.  There is much to see here and it’s worth returning when you have more time to explore the area.  (Elapsed time: 3 hrs 50 mins).
Braid Hills

Braid Hills From Blackford Hill
Today though, it was straight down from Blackford Hill, across the Scout’s Bridge over the Braid Burn and along the quaintly named Lang Linn Path that leads up to busy Braid Hills Drive.  The subsequent ascent up the Braid Hills requires care as you  pick your way up through the golf course to the trig point and view indicator that crown the highest point of the Braid Hills (213m).  Suddenly, the Pentland Hills seemed very close (they were) which served as a timely reminder of just how far we’d come since leaving the city centre!  Towser kindly agreed to pose on top of the view indicator, as is his wont!  (Elapsed time: 4 hrs 35 mins).
Easter Craiglockhart Hill

The Craiglockhart Hills
From the summit of Braid Hills, it was westwards down through leafy Morningside and across to the 2 hills of Craiglockhart.  Unfortunately, the higher of these twins (Wester Craiglockhart Hill; 175m) is private property and has no public access.  So you have to make do with Easter Craiglockhart Hill (157m) which is fully open to the public and is attained with minimal effort.  You share much of the 2 hills with the Merchants of Edinburgh Golf Club and Napier University so getting anywhere near them seems a bit of a bonus!  (Elapsed time: 5 hrs 20 mins).
Corstorphine Hill

Corstorphine Hill
The option to cut short the day was bravely shunned as Corstorphine Hill now appeared deceptively close!  Unfortunately, to get there you need to thread your way through the south-western suburbs of the city, across busy streets, under railway lines and past a prison and various industrial units before you get to somewhat more photogenic Corstorphine itself.  The climb up the final hill is steep at first and will probably be the crux of the day for most folk.  Even Towser seemed to appreciate a short carry!  The summit of Corstorphine Hill (162m) lies at the southern end of a fairly densely wooded ridge and is marked by the dark shape of Clermiston Tower which can be difficult to find amongst the tall trees.  Pleasant though the trees are, they also deny you any view!  (Elapsed time: 6 hrs 50 mins).

Arthur's Seat From Corstorphine Hill
Much of the southern and eastern flanks of Corstorphine Hill are shared with Edinburgh Zoo and Murrayfield Golf Club, the latter providing some pleasant eye candy in the late afternoon sunshine as we made our weary way back through sedate Murrayfield and Ravelston.  Returning to Festival Square, we finished the 18 mile round in exactly 8hrs - 2 weary humans and one exhausted border terrier!  The Seven Hills of Edinburgh make for an interesting and satisfying day out and it’s always good to try something different.  That said, all that pavement walking can really take it out on your feet and you’ll be mighty glad to finish.  Just ask Towser Man!

Check out my plans for this winter at:  http://www.hillways.co.uk/