Despite heavy rain during the night and early morning 6 ramblers met at Dunsyre to walk to the Covenanter's grave. Before the walk started they heard about the drawing up of the National Covenant in 1638 which led to violent unrest for most of the 17th century, Dunsyre was a great covenanting area.
They started the walk near the cultivation terraces on the road to Easton Farm and followed the farm track crossing two very deep and fast flowing fords to the base of Black Law. Before climbing the hill they heard of a Covenanter fleeing from the Battle of Rullion Green near Penicuik in November of 1666. He was badly wounded but managed to make his way to the hills around Dunsyre. He was found by Adam Sanderson, a shepherd. Knowing he was dying the covenanter asked the shepherd to bury him in sight of the Ayrshire hills. Sanderson carried out the covenanter's wishes and erected a stone which is now in Blackmount Church. The present stone was erected in 1841.( More Village Trails by Rosemary Turpie)
Until now the weather had been very pleasant and they were rewarded with fantastic views but as they started climbing the hill the wind and rain set in. They had a brief visit to the stone
The spot is atmospheric in any weather but the moors and hills around them were very bleak in the wind and rain and made them appreciate the covenanters efforts and unfortunately they could not see the Ayrshire hills.
They headed back down the hill and found several grouse butts which gave welcome shelter while they had a brief lunch by which time the rain was passed. They returned to the cars by the same track and managed to finish the walk before the rain set in in earnest. A very enjoyable walk of about 8miles. Contact www.biggarramblers.org.uk
