Cheviots Walks

Shillhope Law

Date: 4th August 2013
Distance: 6.2 miles
Ascent: 1519 feet
Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
With: On my own
Start Grid Ref: NT885076

Walk Summary:
A scenic walk alongside the Usway Burn followed by a steep pathless climb on to Kyloe Shin and a great walk back over the top of Shillhope Law.

Route Summary: Shillmoor - Usway Burn - Batailshiel Haugh - Usway Burn - - Kyloe Shin - Shillhope Law - Inner Hill - Shillmoor

Photos: Click on the photos below to enlarge.

Video:

Walk Detail: It had been very nearly two years since my previous walk in the Cheviots so I was particularly excited about this walk and I was not to be disappointed.

Starting from a parking area just before the road crosses the River Coquet at Shillmoor the outward leg of the walk was along a wide track following the Usway Burn upstream to the remote house at Batailshiel Haugh. Although the wind was quite blustery at times this was super walking with fantastic valley scenery all around.

Beyond Batailshiel Haugh the path narrowed to a nice trod. It was here that I had to solve the only real problem on the walk - where to cross the stream and begin my ascent? In truth there wasn't an easy option as the opposite slopes had a large covering of bracken.

Eventually I forded Usway Burn near by a large sheepfold and then made my way up the steep sides of Kyloe Shin whilst trying to avoid getting too entangled in the bracken. Although hardwork I was rewarded with some fine views of the valley I'd just walked along. Upon reaching the top of Kyloe Shin I also got my first views of the surrounding hills with Windy Gyle, Yarnspath Law and, of course, Shillhope Law the most prominent.

The walk between Kyloe Shin and Shillhope Law was fairly easy and, by staying just to the north side of the col, I caught some more excellent views down into Usway Burn and across to Nettlehope Hill. The top of Shillhope Law wass adorned by a trig point mounted in the remains of an ancient cairn. In this respect it was similar to other Cheviot summits such as Windy Gyle and Hedgehope Hill. The views were extensive especially to the south over the largely forbidden moors of the Otterburn Ranges.

The descent from Shillhope Law was supremely enjoyable, again with some good views down to Usway Burn, and was a great end to what had been a thoroughly pleasurable walk.

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