Tuesday, 13 December 2016
On a bright, crisp, frosty 4th December, eleven ramblers set out from Nether Cog, by Crawick Water, to ascend Conrig Hill (1600 feet ) by way of The Dod. The route took the party up a forestry track, before heading up the steep rough trackless hillside. As the party got higher they encountered difficult tussocky terrain and a brisk cold easterly wind. However they were rewarded with wonderful views of the surrounding hills, looking lovely in the bright Winter sun; Tinto, the Lowther Hills, Blackcraig Hill in the valley of the Afton, Benbrack and many more high hills in all directions. After reaching the summit of Conrig, the party made a slow tortuous descent to the Southern Upland Way and, as they made their way westwards along the ill-defined path, fine views of the Nith Valley from Kirkconnel down towards Thornhill opened up. A lunch stop was made on the SUW in a spot fairly sheltered from the cold wind. The party then continued to Lochburn Bridge, on the way passing through a small herd of cattle complete with bull. But they all seemed quite friendly, and pleasantries were exchanged. The party continued past Clenries Farm and on along an easy track that took then eventually onto the hillside high above the valley of the Crawick Water. The hills were beautifully lit by the low Winter sun as the party descended back to the starting at Nether Cog.
