Southern Scotland - The Awful Hand

muldonach · #1 (**permalink**) 14-02-2009, 09:19 PM

Not often mentioned on the forums are the hills of Southern scotland which tend to be a little overshadowed by the better known areas. There is however some good wild walking in Galloway as shown I hope by the attached images which cover a good day in the local hills this week when the rest of the Uk was suffering to one degree or another in the wintry weather.

What added a little sauce to the goose was that we never saw another soul, or any footprints at all - all day fom 9 in the morning till 4 in the afternoon when we returned to the car.

In addition to the Red Hinds and Goats we also came across a blue hare and black grouse - none of which I have ever seen in this range before.

Cheers
mac

diggleken · #2 (**permalink**) 14-02-2009, 09:32 PM

Great day out Mac.
Totally agree - wonderful country Dumfries and Galloway, over to the Mull too.
Many years ago I used to bomb past on the way to ben lawers, Outer Hebrides and the Cairngorms, then found out what I'd been missing.

Nice.
Ken

tameblackbirds · #3 (**permalink**) 14-02-2009, 09:39 PM

Never been but those hills look very worth seeing, beautiful place

ChrisJB · #4 (**permalink**) 14-02-2009, 11:57 PM

I agree, a great area, with great hills, like Merrick, Cairnsmores of Fleet and Carsphairn and Criffell, one I always look for when conditions are clear in Lakeland. A friend of mine has recently joined a deer-stalking syndicate that takes in Criffell, so I hope to tag along sometime this year and 'bag' it.

Regards, Chris

The Woodman · #5 (**permalink**) 15-02-2009, 09:21 AM

Why "The Awful Hand" mac?
Never heard that expression before or have I missed something?

Richard G. · #6 (**permalink**) 15-02-2009, 09:47 AM

Big lump too, Merrick.
Looks like you picked a good day for it, nice shots.

muldonach · #7 (**permalink**) 15-02-2009, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Woodman

Why "The Awful Hand" mac?
Never heard that expression before or have I missed something?

It is a well used name suggested by certain views of the range from the west, when the ridges of the four main hills appear as fingers and Benyellary - a subsidiary top of the Merrick - supplies the thumb

"Southern Uplands" - Scottish Mountaineering Trust 1972

Cheers
mac

Brian Phipps · #8 (**permalink**) 15-02-2009, 08:54 PM

mac,
Very nice.

Looking forward to coming back up to Glencoe a few times this year.

BillyPilgrim · #9 (**permalink**) 15-02-2009, 09:35 PM

I discovered Dumfries and Galloway a couple of years ago and I love the place. I've got the same cottage that I stayed in last year booked for the springbank holiday week and I'm really looking forward to it.

Don't know of you're familiar with the 'Hidden Road' near to Loch Ken but I would recommend it to anyone who likes the outdoors. This area is a wonderful place to stay in an area where you are already spoilt for choice.

Amongst other interesting stuff I got my first and so far only Red Squirrel shots up there last year!

WhiskyBottle · #10 (**permalink**) 15-02-2009, 11:02 PM

I've seen Golden Eagle in those hills, and I've heard there are/where a few dotterel nesting on the tops. It's handy for the geese on the Solway too.

Martin

The Woodman · #11 (**permalink**) 16-02-2009, 07:20 AM

Thanks for the explantion mac, I understand now. Sounds like a good place to go and not too far over the border for us sassenachs.

ChrisJB · #12 (**permalink**) 16-02-2009, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiskyBottle

I've seen Golden Eagle in those hills, and I've heard there are/where a few dotterel nesting on the tops. It's handy for the geese on the Solway too.

Martin

There is a reasonably well publicised view point for Golden Eagles. Apparently you need a scope ideally and I have no idea how reliable it is. There is also the excellent New Naturalist book on the area, telling of other goodies to be found.

Regards, Chris