Carlops Circular

Crawford Macnab

18 October 2023

A few late call offs for this walk including unfortunately Marion who had suggested the walk! However this still left a stong group of 12 consisting of Sue B, John B, Sheila, Judith, Stuart L, Moira C, Denise, Willie, Crawford, Fiona G, Isobel and Alistair.

The car park is situated next to one of the exposed rock faces where folklore maintains that witches would leap between them. Hence the name in Scots “Carlins Lowp” (English: “Witches' Leap”).

The walks starts with a gentle warm up along a minor road beside the Carlops Burn, eventually crossing the burn at Kitley Brig cottage. The route then headed NNW in to the steep sided wooded glen of Habbie’s Howe. Descending down to cross over the North Esk we reached the waterfall at Peggy’s Pool.

Retracing our steps we continued along the north side of the North Esk before crossing over to reach a small grotto.

Further along the glen there were two plaques with excerpts from Allan Ramsay’s The Gentle Shepherd.

After recrossing the North Esk for the final time we pulled up out the other side of the glen towards the Newhall estate. Clearly a well maintaned property with an interesting growth of funghi on an old tree stump.

The route then continued to climb crossing the A702 before heading up a track past the Spittal farm to pass between Patie’s Hill and Spittal Hill. With the wind picking up lunch was taken in a reasonably sheltered spot just off the track with views looking west to Mount Maw. Suitably refuelled the walk continued by descending down to the North Esk Reservoir.

Leaving the reservoir the track climbed gently around the flank of Fairliehope Hill to reach Fairliehope Farm. At this point there was a choice between continuing on the track or the more adventurous (muddy!) path along side the North Esk. The latter was chosen and although initially dry a slightly awkward “bad step” had to be succesfully negotiated. As predicted the path did indeed turn muddy, mostly churned up by the North Devon cattle(?), one of whom was guarding the lower path. Willie even braved posing for a quick photo!

Soon we arrived safely back at Carlops.

An enjoyable walk especially given the weather was much better than forecast and thankfully ahead of Storm Babet.

Thanks,
Crawford.