ADRC Queensberry Hill from Mitchelslacks. July 2011

Preparing to leave from Mitchelslacks farm.



One of the many views of today's hills



We turned right here to begin the first climb.

Having a break at the top of Queensberry.(697M)

We still had those two beauties to climb.

"My hat and gloves do colour co-ordinate don't they?"



Today's group on the summit of Gana Hill (668M)



One of the walkers resting in the sunshine.

Looking out from Earncraig(611M) to Daer Reservoir.

Burleywhag Bothy.

Today's walk leader frae Girvan.

Today Ayr and District headed South through Thornhill up to Loch Ettrick and Mitchelslacks Farm where our walk began. The leader explained that it was  an 11 mile circular grade "A" walk with 3 peaks to be climbed. Checking all walkers were prepared with ample water as it was a very warm sunny day sufficient liquids were essential. 17 of us left the farm on a pleasant track up the side of Capel Burn until we came to a sign for Queensberry (697M). Up until this point it had been a gentle slope but the next stretch got us all going as it was exceptionally steep with some tussocks thrown in for good measure. Once at the summit we had a break to allow the group to reform before we dropped down through some peat bogs to lose all the valuable height we had gained before we went all the way up to Earncraig(611M) The views of the surrounding hills were excellent stretching South to the Solway various landmarks were pointed out to us by the leader.Losing height once again much to the delight of some of the group we then headed up a long path to take us to Gana Hill (611m). It was quite tough going in the heat until we were on the top where a gentle breeze was blowing which made it very pleasant to enjoy another wee break. The next part of the walk was a steep descent with no visible path with loads of heather and tussocks. On reaching Burleywhag Bothy most of us agreed that coming down from the summit of Gana was the toughest part of the walk. Aye this leader is well known for taking some tough routes to put his STAMP on the walk.(in joke) Now we had a very pleasant couple of miles back to the start along an old road in the afternoon sunshine. Arriving at the cars the leader was thanked for a well thought out walk in an area a lot of us had never walked in before. He lived up to his reputation of only doing "A" grade walks with a little bit extra thrown in to make it that bit more interesting.