Hareclough Head .

As we passed Tweedhopefoot we could see dogs being worked. It was only 8.30 am but a beautiful morning and we looked forward to the challenge in Badlieu wood. Foresters were arriving for work as we walked along the the track looking for the burn that we knew originated on Harecleuch head, This proved to be an enjoyable scramble partly along the bed of the stream and later along the top of the deep ravine eroded by the flow over the years. The going was not easy as the trees pressed very close to the ravine In places making us force a way between them. The final hundred yards proved to be the most difficult, the ravine was too steep for us to climb down Into and the trees seemed to form an Impenetrable barrier. We did eventually find a place to force away through.

 
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Once on Hareclough Head we stretched out for a rest and cleared the pine cones from our hair and out of our shirts. It was a great place to be, the views were great all around and we could pick out our route down to Hareclough. For me this was one of the highlights of the whole walk. Down on the track to Crawford we passed the sheep shearers busy with the ewes, their dogs came to check us over and escort us on our way.

From Crawford we found an Easy track along the east of the A74 to Abington were we were able to cross the bust road and get out into the wilds toward Crawfordjohn.

 

Above Hareclough head                 

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