Criffel

When Fiona asked where I wanted to walk today, I suggested Criffel. I thought it was time for a wee challenge, since I've been walking greater distances recently but not up bigger hills. This is the highest hill we can walk up while still staying quite local - it is accessed from just outside New Abbey, a few miles south of Dumfries. From the top on a clear day you can get fantastic views in all directions. Behind Fi's head in this photo is the heather-clad peak of Knockendoch, and on the right you can see Loch Kindar and the River Nith.

We decided that we would take it slowly and see how we got on..if we didn't get to the top, then it didn't really matter (or so we said). We did reach the summit and it was pretty cold up there, with a WSW wind with gusts which made it hard to stay upright at times, and a stinging hailstorm. We found a sheltered spot behind a dyke to eat our lunch, but even then it wasn't pleasant taking off our gloves.

This photo was taken on the way down, when we were out of the wind a bit. I'm so glad we did it!

Today's walk: Criffel from Ardwall mains. 3.98 miles.