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Report on Hart Fell
16 January 2011
Today?s Craggys ? Mark, Kevin and Chris
We started at Ericstane Community Hall which is on the Old Edinburgh Road, a few miles outside Moffat. Thankfully the weather was dry especially after the heavy rain yesterday.
We crossed over the Auchencat Burn and headed up towards Hart Fell following the gully. We rested at the chalybeat (iron rich) spring of Hart Fell Spa and took photo inside. Hart Fell Spa was discovered in 1748 by John Williamson, who was leading a mining operation by Auchencat Burn, this spring water had curative properties for ?debility and anaemia?. Unlike the sulphurous water from Moffat Well this could be bottled and was sent as far afield as the West Indies. Inside the Hart Fell Spa grotto there is a keystone on the ceiling which was carved as a mirror image intended to be viewed on the surface of the water that is no more.
Off we went on the steep climb up to Arthur?s Seat. As usual Chris made life difficult for himself by taking the ridge route, while Kevin and I followed the river to its source. The walk from Arthur's Seat (731m) to Hart Fell (808m) was misty, but we got the odd glimpse of a view. We rested at the summit of Hart Fell for lunch, then made the descent to the valley below and over Whitehope Knowe towards the Devils Beef Tub. Spectacular views again and a rapid descent back to the road.
A short walk to the car, then it was off to Moffat for a well earned pint!
Mark Kinnon
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