Map:
Site Status:
This site is Open
Location Info:
| Grid Reference | :: | NT197075 |
| OS Landranger | :: | 79; Hawick & Eskdale |
| Latitude | :: | 55.35419 |
| Longitude | :: | -3.26882 |
| WhatThreeWords | :: | congratulations.added.scorpions |
Wind
| Direction | :: | SE |
| Best Direction | :: | SE |
Height
| ASL | :: | 1980ft, 609m |
| Top to Bottom | :: | 738ft, 227m (Back to Potsburn road) |
Road Access
B7009 / 709 Selkirk to Eskdalemuir road via Ettrick Bridge, continue past the Tushielaw Inn, bear right at next obvious junction to Boston Memorial Hall and Ettrickhill on minor single track road. Continue to head of valley.
Parking:
GridReference : NT189092
WhatThreeWords : firm.dull.whirlwind
Park in obvious area at top of valley before the gates at Potburn. Please do not block access to either of the gates since heavy transport, tractors and log lorries, may be using the road. Please do not take vehicles passed the gates even if they are unlocked since retrieving them if the gates are locked may prove difficult!!
Take-Off:
GridReference : NT197075
WhatThreeWords : congratulations.added.scorpions
Follow the new forestry road and Southern Upland Way along the Ettrick Water to Over Phawhope Bothy (NT 181081). After the bothy bear ESE cross the burn via the footbridge and follow the obvious track to NT181082. At the top of the track bear east following the quad bike track to the obvious saddle west of Ettrick Pen. Cross the border fence via the gate and select a suitable take-off point on the ridge.
Landing:
Bottom landing below the take-off is not advised due to the extensive forestry plantations, even where these have been clear felled. Either top or slope land at take-off, or, if sufficient height has been gained, land back in the Ettrick Valley at Over Phawhope Bothy or Potburn turning. Beware of turbulence and valley winds if taking this option
Flying:
Excellent site that is clear in front to the Lakes and has a 5.5km ridge to play with from Ettrick Pen to Cowan Fell. XC potential either westwards following the ridge into Dumfriesshire and the A74, northwards to Bodesbeck, the Moffat Valley and beyond or northeast along the Ettrick or Yarrow valleys to Selkirk, Melrose and the coast.
Hazards:
Check NOTAM, CANP essential if flying mid week since this area is used for low flying exercises by military fast jets.
Wind may funnel through the gaps in the ridge, do not get blown back with insufficient height to avoid turbulence.
If bottom landing back near the parking area beware of turbulence and valley winds
Notes:
Park sensibly and do not block the access gates or tracks
Do not take vehicles onto the forestry road (Authorised Vehicles Only) – you will need a thermic lance to retrieve them later!!
