2023-4 | Winter Conditions in the Hills

Join me for a wintry walk over the Lammermuir plateau.

[@jacquelinesim9578]

Thanks once again for a surefooted trek through snowy Scotland, simply beautiful.

[@daveoutdoorsscotland2854]

Hello Jacqueline, you're very welcome. So glad you enjoyed the wee movie. ATB, Dave

[@garyb8528]

Hey Dave! Nothing more beautiful than the hills covered by fresh snow and my favorite Scotsman traversing them. Thanks for this video. Be safe, be well and keep the blue side up! Love to Mo

[@daveoutdoorsscotland2854]

Hey Gary, great to hear from you. Trust all is well in NY. Glad you enjoyed the vid and the views. Keep the blue side up. ATB, Dave and Mo

[@voicezful]

Good video Dave. The monochrome landscape looks just as beautiful as seasonal colours. BTW, must say you are looking super healthy! Cheers again.

[@daveoutdoorsscotland2854]

Hi Andrew, thanks for the compliment. I caught an occasional glimpse of the distant farmland through the cloud. The contrast between the upland and lowlands landscape was startling. The earthy browns of recently ploughed fields and vivid greens of winter barley were in stark contrast to 'my' grey-white landscape. It was like glimpsing another land; quite magical. ATB, Dave

[@owencurley3520]

Superb big fella

[@daveoutdoorsscotland2854]

Hi Owen, glad you enjoyed it. Hope all is well with you. ATB, Dave

[@argyllexplorer1946]

Hi Dave nice to see you out in the snow, no snow here in Cowal just nice bright cold sunny days. Thanks for sharing. 👍Derek

[@daveoutdoorsscotland2854]

Good morning Derek. When I saw the depth of snow in my garden and a forecast for more, I just had to get out for some fun in the hills. It’s rare that my local hills are holding more snow than those of the western highlands. We have had a pretty cold winter here, with lots of dry weather, hard frosts and sunny days. Hope all is well with you guys. Your mention of the Cowal reminds me that I’ve haven’t been there in a while. You live in a bonnie part of Scotland. ATB, Dave

[@GOBBYBOY333]

Hi Dave, a grand video as usual, as you know I'm on the southern edge of the Lammermuirs and I found the walking had going on tracks up there earlier this week. But trekking through the heather must be energy sapping. As always thanks for sharing. D

[@daveoutdoorsscotland2854]

Hi David, yes, the Lammermuirs are surprisingly tough hills for hiking and they cover a pretty large area. Over the years, I've crossed the 'summit' of all the 'laws'. It surprises me that there are no 'hill walkers' tracks on any of these hills. I think this is probably because there are no distinct summits, so most folk simply stick to the right of way or quad tracks. I enjoy hiking these hills in the 'clag', when they take on an altogether wilder feel. Glad you enjoyed the vid. ATB, Dave

[@jonathanclyne2427]

New subscriber! Just found your excellent channel whilst mooching around U-tube. I've got some time on my hands since recovering from heart by-pass surgery. Your back catalogue should keep me sane in the days/weeks to come. Thanks Dave.

[@daveoutdoorsscotland2854]

Hi Jonathan, welcome to the channel. Thanks for viewing, commenting and subscribing, very much appreciated. I suggest 'surfing the channel' to find the better vids (there are a fair few mediocre production in my back catalogue). I'd also like to take this opportunity to wish you a speedy recovery. Stay strong and get back to strength soon. With all best wishes, Dave

[@smoggiewalks578]

Have watch later Dave in your next of the woods in Sunny Highlands. Martin

[@daveoutdoorsscotland2854]

Hi Martin, hope you enjoy it. It’s a pretty simple vid, shot on the hoof as I hiked through the snow showers. Hoping to get out to film a ‘proper adventure’ in the next week or so. ATB, Dave

[@smoggiewalks578]

Enjoyed the snowy hills Dave, as I mentioned I ve been in Glencoe and West Coast this week. In blue sky and sunshine, OK minus 8C. Snow only on the tops. Take care and ATB Martin

[@daveoutdoorsscotland2854]

@@smoggiewalks578 it’s rare that my local hills are holding more snow than those of the western highlands. More snow on the way this week for the bigger hills. Glad you had some good conditions for Glencoe. ATB, Dave

[@Jennifer.4]

A beautiful area, one I haven’t visited. The views of the snow clad hills were amazing. It looked like an interesting route. It’s a shame grouse management is favoured over trees, all to do with money I suppose.

[@daveoutdoorsscotland2854]

Hi Jennifer, I can recommend these hills for easy hiking. On a clear day, they afford some nice views of the landscapes of East Lothian, and across the Forth Estuary to Fife. The plateau has an austere beauty but could be so much better were it not for the muir burn and intensive land management for game birds. I know of a few specimens of arctic willow growing on the plateau. I enjoy paying them homage every so often but their numbers appear to be shrinking. ATB, Dave

[@Jennifer.4]

That really is a shame.

[@lifesahobby]

So tough climb up snow , it's really unforgiving. Fair play to you . I'd say you did alot of tapping your feet to knock off the snow .

[@daveoutdoorsscotland2854]

Hi, yes, your right, I had to take care not to let the snow build up too much on my boots and gaiters, especially when hiking through the deeper sections. Thanks for viewing and commenting, very much appreciated. ATB, Dave

[@neilthomson2392]

Morning Dave can I ask your starting point please ? I go there on the bike but start at Whiteadder reservoir but was looking for some different routes Thanks

[@daveoutdoorsscotland2854]

Hi Neil, there are two good starting points for north-south traverse of the eastern edge of the Lammermuirs. The first (where I started from) is just beyond Longyester. Carry on past Blinkbonny wood to the end of the public road where there is limited parking available on the grass verge, between clumps of gorse. The road leads directly to the track (right of way) which traverses the hills to eventually deliver you to Carfraemill. The second is the carpark at Hopes, where you can then follow the track to the reservoir and onwards to Carfraemill. The two start points are pretty close together and there is an obvious circular route linking them. The tracks are a bit steep steep in places, but are definitely suitable for the bike. I favour this part of the Lammermuirs, simply because it is a decent distance away from the wind farm. If you are prepared to cycle through the wind farm, there are several other (loosely east-west) routes that offer a good day out, with a road cycle at the end of the day to get back to your start point. Hope this helps. ATB, Dave ps, Sparleton, from Whiteadder, is one of the few hikes in this area that I haven't done yet.

[@neilthomson2392]

@@daveoutdoorsscotland2854 thanks for the information Dave I’m off work tomorrow so might try a wee look with a walk with the dog 1st cheers