Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland: Climbing Under Saddle Yoke

Our story

Chasing the sun we headed for Dumfries & Galloway, in South West Scotland.

We left Whitie, our van, by a cottage; walked a short stretch on the road, turned right, and up and up we went. Oh, blimey, it was nearly vertical.

Or so it felt with those heavy rucksacks on our backs. But, with vertical slopes, you soon get a panoramic view; this time with waterfall included.

Waterfalls are one of Nature’s finest spectacles.

Unfortunately, when you reach the plateau near the first top, the landscape becomes the familiar southern contour. A hardly memorable landscape with countless rows of tame hills. Why had Simon chosen this climb?, I wondered.

After we reached our second Donald, we were walking next to a long, long fence, and I feared this walk would live short in my memory.

And so I ploughed on, pondering, while Simon seemed unconcerned.

In the distance we could see the Under Saddle Yoke ridge. As we got to it, I suddenly understood why he had chosen this walk. When you stand there, on one end of Under Saddle Yoke, you’re suddenly transported to the Highlands.

Everything around you is wild, formidable, and hardly tame. I hope you can visit this magical spot one day.

The long walk down was often steep, but I didn’t mind. I had with me this bundle of lasting memories: