01 June 2014 – The case of the missing reservoir

This year we have spent most of our time covering miles on the road rather than searching out interesting off-road routes. In an attempt to redress the balance somewhat, I decided we should investigate a relatively short piece of track in the foothills of the Lammermuirs that has at least 5 lochs / reservoirs / ponds to visit along the way.

To get to these lochs, we would spend most of our trip on the road, winding our way through the East Lothian countryside with a genuine chance of getting lost. So I made sure to bring along the Spokes East Lothian cycle map.

We set off and immediately had to take a diversion, as the road through Borthwick is closed at the bridge over the Borders Railway, currently under construction. They hadn’t expected to close this road but it seems that the bridge is now not safe, and repairs will take all summer. That means we need to get used to a diversion down the A7, then taking the Fushiebridge turnoff and up over the top of Catcune before coming back to where we would have been if the bridge hadn’t been closed. It’s a mile or so longer but not quite as steep as the “preferred” route!

Yet another closed road, courtesy of the Borders Railway project...

Yet another closed road, courtesy of the Borders Railway project…

Our route then took us past Newlandrigg and Vogrie before turning right onto the A68 then left back off again bringing us past the lions guarding the entrance to Preston House. It was warm, sunny and relatively calm, making our progress very enjoyable, especially as the roads were pretty much devoid of traffic. I had also managed to pick a route that was flat or downhill for quite a few miles until we reached West Saltoun.

We climbed somewhat towards East Saltoun and took the road that brought us past the saw mill before reaching the B6368. From there, we took a small road signposted for Leehouses, which was the first time we’d been along that one. It went steeply up a hill, taking us past the aforementioned Leehouses before finally depositing us at Kidlaw farm.

Beside the farm there was a sign saying “Footpath”, which was where we were headed. From here, it was going to be rough track, so that’s why we left our road bikes at home in favour of our “go anywhere” hybrids. The track climbed fairly steeply and very soon brought us to the first pond, where a pair of swans were installed at the far side. We stopped for a good look, and found ourselves at the foot of an iron-age fort on the adjacent hillside; the earthworkings were still clearly visible.

Continuing, we met a fork in the track. According to the map, the steep right fork was a dead end, heading towards the west side of Lammerlock Reservoir, while the left fork would give us access to the dam on the east side. We chose the latter option, making our way at a gentle pace and enjoying the tranquil surroundings.

At the next gate, we came across another pond, this one rather larger than the first. A small herd of cows took an interest in us and came as close as the next gate on the left would allow them. We would tackle that little problem later, but first we wanted to find Lammerlock Reservoir and stop for a break. The Spokes map showed a single road going to our right, leading up to the reservoir, so we set off. Fairly soon, the road took a sharp left bend and descended steeply before coming to another gate. From that gate, we could see the track continuing through another field then up onto a hill. We thought that this must take us to the reservoir, so we followed that track.

Part-way up the hill, a minor track led off to the left so we decided to check that out as it was heading towards the bottom of a glen, where we reasoned the reservoir might be located. But pretty soon we found that this was wrong, so we doubled back and continued up the hill. We kept saying, just a bit more and we should see it, but we never did, and we got to pretty much the top of the hill before we decided to stop and eat our big slice of sponge cake that Colette had baked the previous day.

Hill fort with Haddington and the Firth of Forth in the background

Hill fort with Haddington and the Firth of Forth in the background

The view from the top was stunning, and well worth the effort, even if it might turn out to be a wrong turn. The fort we had seen earlier was now below us and the rings were picked out clearly in the light. We took in the panorama, that stretched round from the Pentlands, Edinburgh and Fife beyond, past Haddington to Berwick Law and Traprain Law. Between the latter two we could make out the Bass Rock, and behind that another island; the Isle of May perhaps? The one thing we couldn’t see was Lammerlock Reservoir!

We then descended carefully and returned to the pond with the onlooking cows. Luckily they were now gone, so we progressed through the gate where they were gathered before. It didn’t take long for us to find the cows further down the track and I think we spooked them a little, as they cleared off up the hill, much to Colette’s relief!

Latch Loch

Latch Loch

Next up was yet another pond; this one named Latch Loch. We were in a small, steep-sided valley with signs of small scale quarrying in the past. The ponds were evidently created by the strategic use of small dams. I could only assume that the reason was to attract waterfowl so that they could be shot at, but perhaps there is a better explanation?

We then reached the last of the lochs / ponds with a small house nearby. From there, the track turned left and up a steep hill where we both had to push our bikes. From there we got a good view of a fairly large quarry. Much of the hill had been removed, leaving a steep gravelly cliff where lots of sand matins had made their homes.

There followed a downhill section that we equally as steep as the other side. We played safe and walked the bikes down, as the surface was uneven and slippy. This took us through a farm and finally back out onto tarmac again, a mile or so to the east of Kidlaw.

After our fun off-road excursion, it was time to head for home. We hadn’t gone far when after saying hello to a passing cyclist, we heard the squealing of brakes. We stopped and it turned out to be an ex-colleague, Alison, who I hadn’t recognised at first – I’m hopeless at recognising anyone with their helmet on! She had made her way there from Edinburgh and was going to go back via Gifford and the coast. We had a nice chat then got back in the saddle and went our opposite ways.

The rest of our ride was through familiar territory and was uneventful, although very pleasant, apart from the traffic lights at non-existent roadworks along the B6458, which are beginning to get a bit tedious. Most cars have started ignoring them now, but we still sit there like mugs waiting for the lights to turn green!

Once we got home, the first thing I wanted to do was check a proper map (the Spokes one is fine for finding proper roads, but is a bit hazy where it comes to minor tracks). It appears that we breezed past the proper track and took one which isn’t even marked! It was just where the track took a sharp bend and went steeply downhill. Not sure how we missed the turn but we did. So there’s nothing for it but to go back sometime soon and try again…

 

 

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2 Responses to 01 June 2014 – The case of the missing reservoir

  1. Wendy says:

    When you cycled round the second small pond which is the compensatory reservoir and went down the steep slope to the left you missed a gate on the right hand side which had you climbed over would have taken you to the top of the dam. Alternatively if you had taken the gate immediatley to the right instead of cycling round the compensatory reservoir you would also have come to the reservoir. My boys use the reservoir as their summer swimming haunt.

    • alan_admin says:

      Thanks for that Wendy, it sounds like a nice place so we shall have a return trip before the end of the summer.
      Alan

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