We drove to the Scottish Borders to sample some hills over the border. We parked at the end of the public road at Potburn and our first hill would be Ettrick Pen. We wanted to do the Ettrick Horseshoe and wild camp somewhere on the route.
On the way to Potburn Farm
It was cloudy and overcast but we could see the tops, on the drive through Langholm it had been low cloud there so this was an improvement.
Looking back at Over Phawhope Bothy
We'd stopped for an early lunch near Entertrona Burn. After the forest road ended we followed a few trods here and there up Ettrick Pen but it fizzled out and we continued up the convex slope.
Capel Fell and Smidhope Hill in view
The ground was rough and boggy in places, hard work carrying our camping gear
View eastward from the fence near Ettrick Pen summit
We'd spotted some deer on the way up but they had eluded my zoom in so all I got was grass!
View north westward from Ettrick Pen
There was a bit more blue sky now and we had a little sunshine. The wind wasn't too bad but it was stronger up on the tops.
On Ettrick Pen summit
Looking southwest from Ettrick Pen
We were heading that way on the way to Hopetoun Craig
Descending Ettrick Pen
We'd only seen one person at the parking area and a few people at the bothy in the valley. What a wonderful place, fabulous views and we had it all to ourselves.
Approaching Hopetoun Craig summit
On Hopetoun Craig summit, looking toward Ettrick Pen
Wind Fell top
We weren't fond of this top, a boggy mess and one for Karl's Kut Price Tours!
Descending Wind Fell
Capel Fell
It looked a long way up there! We veered right to get some water from Ettrick Head. We were filling up here for our overnighter and it meant we would have to carry it uphill.
Squeaky wants to visit Dumfries and Galloway
This is where the Southern Upland Way crosses the fence from D & G into the Scottish Borders and leads down to Over Phawhope.
Ettrick Pen and Hopetoun Craig from the ascent of Capel Fell
We saw a walker in the distance climbing up Wind Fell and another walker climbing Capel Fell to the left of the fence. The first people seen since we left Over Phawhope Bothy
Wind Fell from the ascent of Capel Fell
Loch Fell from Capel Fell
Capel Fell summit
View from Capel Fell
The views were marvellous, mountains everywhere
Descending Capel Fell
Smidhope Hill summit
The wall provided excellent cover from the wind so we looked about for a decent pitch
Mountains and wind turbines
Lots of mountains in view from Smidhope Hill
Swatte Fell and Saddle Yoke
Saddle Yoke and White Coomb
View down the Ettrick Valley and more hills to see
The Hubba Hubba on Smidhope Hill
We had our tea and enjoyed our camp. We love this area, the views are superb, it is very quiet, hardly a soul about and we will be back for sure. The cloud obscured the sun so we didn't get a sunset but the day had been superb anyway. Rain started after dark, light rain was forecast overnight. It was heavy rain though and it pelted down for a time. It became lighter but it rained for most of the night. We awoke to low cloud and drizzle. After our breakfast and packing up the cloud was still low and we couldn't see anything. Pointless doing the rest of the horseshoe with no views so we retraced our steps over Capel Fell to join the Southern Upland Way from Ettrick Head down to Potburn.
The mist starts to lift as we descend Capel Fell
Of course half an hour later as we reached Ettrick Head the cloud lifted and the tops we would have done were clear of cloud
Into the forest on the Southern Upland Way
The path was wet and muddy to start but then improved
On the forest road
View near Over Phawhope Bothy
We stopped for a brew and some food near the bothy before the last mile back to the car where we saw the only people we would see on todays walk. Three lads that looked like they were doing the Southern Upland Way judging by their big packs.
A look back to Over Phawhope Bothy
It started raining on the last mile so perhaps it was just as well we missed out the tops as we would have been even more wet getting back to the car. A good two days despite the rain and clag on the second day and we will be back to do the hills we missed, White Shank, Fauldside Hill and Bodesbeck Law.
Day One was Potburn - Over Phawhope - Ettrick Pen - Hopetoun Craig - Wind Fell - Ettick Head - Capel Fell - Smidhope Hill - pitch. 6 miles. 676m ascent and 409m descent.
Day Two was pitch - Smidhope Fell - Capel Fell - Ettrick Head - Over Phawhope - Potburn. 3.8 miles 109m
Day 1 Map and route
Day 2 Map and route