Took the chance of what might be the last decent day
for a while to climb Merrick, the highest point in Scotland
south of Loch Lomond. Wouldn't really call it a mountain,
as only around 2800ft, and more of an enormous
rolling hill, but a strenuous 6 hour walk if you do the full
circuit. The clarity of the air was unusual for the summer
months, with Ben Lomond to the north, Mountains of Mourne
to the southwest, IoM to the south and Moffat Hills to
the east all sparkling clear. Rather breezy and chilly at the top,
but made up for by plenty of sun. It wasn't just that the visibility
was excellent but the clarity of the air seemed unblemished.
Also visible (I think) to the east was Cheviot, and it struck me
that current conditions to climb it might be ideal. Normally it is
a miserable struggle through thigh deep peat slurry, but I
reckon that at the moment you might just make it with dry feet.
Had a couple of A.W. moments when we were surprised by
fellow walkers, but nowhere near as bad as it will be next week
with the school holidays starting.

Jim