Over the Lowthers in Winter
Channel: leadroady
Date: 2012-01-28

A short video of some highlights (sort of) of a walk over the Lowthers, starting and finishing in Leadhills; a walk of 7.2 miles (11.5 km).

The route was out of Leadhills to Glengonnar Halt, then up the Radar Station road, which was followed over Lowther Hill, where the "Golf Ball" resides, across the saddle-back of Short Lowther and over Green Trough, where a smaller station is situated, to its end at the summit of Green Lowther, the location of the radio masts. From there, a direct route was taken to the Leadhills reservoir and onwards, past the golf-course, to emerge back in Leadhills by the Hopetoun Arms Hotel.

The aim was to be "up top" by the time the snow hit, so not much footage on the ascent - time was short. Each of the "stations" get a bit of footage. At the first, by Throw Rig (A gamekeeper quad bike was spotted from here, going down the hill - smart move), snow was very modest fine stuff, which became more intense at the summit of Lowther Hill. Conditions worsened crossing the saddle-back, with a respectable (25 to 30mph) blizzard developing on reaching Green Lowther. Visibility was poor up top and so I was dependent on sense of direction for the descent, but pleased to say, I was only 50 metres south of where I intended to reach the reservoir (passed left of Rising Cleuch instead of right which turned out to be easier) after a descent of 282 metres (925ft) over a distance of just under a mile.

It's worth noting that I know these hills reasonably well and this route especially. I would not attempt a walk such as this in such conditions without foreknowledge of weather and likely conditions, proper warm and waterproof clothing, sticks, food, fluids, mobile phone, compass (and sat-nav if available) and a pre-defined route with ETA notified to my better half back home (would have included small shelter tent and flares too, if it were much longer a walk). It's also worth noting that the conditions experienced were tame when compared with what the Lowthers can really throw at you in a proper Scottish winter - like 70+ mph blizzard with complete white-out. Such walks can be treacherous for the unwary on a good day; if you want to play, get the kit (and watch out for bits blowing off the radar stations). Have to concede that a lone trek was probably ill-advised, but I'm getting old and cranky - it does me good and it won't get me arrested.

Anyway, a few cool things cropped up which is why I'm sharing this. Wind driven snow does pretty things and the lack of view at 2401 feet (asl) in snow, is almost a breath-taking as that seen on a clear day. The degeneration of the stations is quite eerie as well. The cinematography is not thrilling and there'll be no Oscars for technique or anything else here - it's doodling with a camcorder; the weather and the walk necessitated a pocket camcorder (the only one I have anyway) and effort to keep it from getting soaked, but it has its moments if only for the curious.

Enjoy.