Wet 13.5 Miles in the Scottish Borders

Went down my favorite road of recent times, the A701. Had decided to have a go at Gathersnow Hill from the East. Last week was down in the vicinity and observed a relatively new wind warm to the West of the road. Looking at the map confirmed I could get to Gathersnow Hill from there. More than 2 years ago I did a big loop which took me up Culter Fell and then Gathersnow Hill and back. Parked beside the entrance into the still under construction wind farm, which was sealed off with padlocked fences.

Went along the road a little bit and up a road into an old estate. Started uphill from behind the Kingledores cluster of farm buildings. Had to wade through a burn behind the farm before getting over some fences across a hillside, tried to head straight uphill to a turbine, but changed course to avoid some fierce looking cattle. Changed direction along the side of the hill to avoid them, and eventually picked up the first turbine and the network of recently built gravel access roads which allowed me to make fast progress for a bit. When I hit the end of the wind turbine road network I headed alongside a fence then up and downhill. Was in the mist, but eventually go to the top of Gathersnow. Briefly saw Culter Reservoir. Saw another reservoir in the distance which I couldn't place at first until I realised it had to be the Fruid Reservoir back across the A701. Things cleared a little bit and I could see the way around the head of the valley with the Kingledoors Burn. Didn't resort to looking at the map. Got to the first trig point of the day on Coomb Dod and then later on the 2nd at Upper Oliver Dod.

Progress was slow due to lack of paths, the up/down hills and damp grassy bogs etc. Took a while but eventually dropped back to the A701 after 11.5 miles and back to the car for the last 2 miles past the now closed Crook Inn. It's going derelict. Not a bad walk. Wet from the start but worth the effort. Also saw the Talla Reservoir up top from yet another angle. Roads very wet on the way back. I'd considered staying home when I looked out of the window earlier this morning, but decided I would only let myself down if I didn't go for it! Good attitude...