L2L Day 59 Moffat to Leadhills - 20 miles

This was the big one. With the distance, the ascent and the remoteness, I'd felt trepidation since Day 1. During the planning I'd looked at alternative routes but nothing seemed either easier or shorter and accommodation was difficult to find. Nothing for it....!

Yesterday, I'd arranged a taxi to get us the three miles across the M74 to Beattock to start our walk at Earshaig.

Waiting for the taxi, Tony found his rightful street as the curtain went up on the day.

Our start point on the Southern Upland Way was remote enough but at least the route was well signed and easy to follow. 

The first ascent of the day to Craig Hill at 1200 ft, a steep climb through some forestry with some fallen trees across the path was a tough start.

Then after a short descent, a steady climb again over open moorland to Beld Knowe at 1650 feet.

As we climbed into cloud, we became more aware of the remoteness of the route. 

The top of Hods Hill at 1850 feet was boggy and involved a fair amount of tussock jumping, 

then a longish descent over Sweetshaw Brae to Daer Reservoir and on the way, coming through the mist we passed the first person - a woman walking on her own. I expected a chat - all we got was a 'great day' and without stopping she was gone into the mist.

As we walked along the head wall of the reservoir, seagulls wheeled alongside us in the strong breeze.

At the end of the reservoir, we rejoined the road we found some pleasant shelter and had our sandwich picnic

before continuing on through on a track across moorland then through Steens Cleuch forestry and under the amusingly named Meiklle Shag.

We came upon the first lapwings and curlews for a few days.

The route then crossed the A702 Roman Road at Overfingland - a remote house with a Union Jack and aggressive dogs in cages. We crossed the yard carefully and then safely with a metal gate behind us walked quickly uphill and over the next brow.

There was a steep climb back up into the cloud to Cold Moss at 2005 feet

before a slightly gentler but by now tiring climb to Lowther Hill at 2400 feet. 

It didn't pay to compare pulse rates with Tony as, however steep, he seemed to be able to keep walking uphill at a steady pace.

Just over the top of Lowther Hill there was a welcome weather shelter and inside, a park bench and a mislaid pair of reading glasses!! We didn't hang around.

Feeling pleased with ourselves that we had got all the major ascents out of the way we then had a long but quite rapid descent down to Wanlockhead

 - the highest village in Scotland at 1500 feet before we turned along the cutting for the disused narrow gauge railway to walk the last 2 miles to Leadhills.

By now Tony felt that he really had had enough.

The rows of workers cottages at Leadhills were a welcome sight. 

The buildings seemed tiny and many that are still occupied have bright painted front doors.

Our hotel The Hopetoun Inn, the highest hotel in Scotland was a welcoming sight.

With 20 miles and well over 4000 ft of ascent, that was quite a day. Feeling jubilant and relieved to get it behind me and really grateful to have had Tony's company. An unforgettable day.

Then, a hot shower, beer and fooooooood.