A Scottish Story – Day 6, Turning it around, Peebles to the banks of the North Esk Reservoir

Distance: 33km

Four words can essentially sum up todays hike.  Hot sun.  Sheep paddocks. Sounds like home! This could be a very short post!

I’m pleased to say that today, although a lot longer, was so much better than the day I had yesterday. I purposely showed up with my A-game this morning.  Adequate breakfast eaten before setting out, water drunk, awareness of the route, sunscreen slathered on, a plan to stop every so often, plenty to eat, a positive attitude.  All good.

It was such a hot, sunny day in Scotland, that it seemed that even the Scots were surprised.  Those I talked to anyway.  I only saw a couple of people out on the trails all day.

Essentially today I was following an ancient trading route, the Cross Drove Rd, sometimes refered to as “Thieves Rd”, as ruffians would try to steel stock during the night. The trail was easy to follow and well marked.  A few steep sections, but nothing overly difficult.  The hardest thing about today was trying to find some shade to have a rest in!

I was feeling pretty relieved when I reached my intended campsite – such a long , hot day.  I had spied a body of water called the North Esk Reservoir on the map, and thought it looked a pretty sweet spot to camp.  I was quite surprised to arrive and find the entrance covered in no camping posters.  I had thought something like that might have been written in the track notes.  

Not to mind.  I found a sweet little spot just outside the reserve (which, to be fair, is a wildlife reserve within an area of special significance).  To further sweeten the deal, I had access to a nicely running stream for water, and after the hot day I was feeling rather parched!  The cherry on top came when I decided to have a look at a nearby bird hide.  Inside was a little table, stools and cushions, which on closer inspection, bore the brand name “Malinda”.  It was meant to be.

So now I sit on the comfort of these cushioned stools, cooking myself up some dinner and watching the birds on the water.  So far I have seen Mallards, Mute Swan, Canada geese, Curlews, Lapwings, chaff chaff, robins, common sandpiper and a person in a tiny, little blue row boat.

Very happy with how this all turned out. Hooray to being back in the game!

This article was originally published on The Trek which can be viewed here.