About this blog

The journey from John o'Groats to Land's End took place in 14 sections, starting in 1996 (a week or so each year). The idea came to me in 1995 and I completed the British JoGLE Watershed in June 2009.

I was joined by a number of relations and friends from time to time. Most notable among my walking companions were my son Tim (7 sections) and nephews Peter and Jonny.

After walking the first section in 1996 I discovered that Dave Hewitt had already pioneered the Scottish Watershed (to Cape Wrath) in 1987, and had published his excellent account Walking the Watershed in 1994. We have been in touch since then, and he has been a great encouragement.

A simple definition of the watershed is that any rain falling to the left of the path finishes in the North Sea or English Channel, and anything to the right flows into the Atlantic Ocean, the Irish Sea or the Bristol Channel.

I believe that this was the first walk along the full length of the British JoGLE Watershed. I became aware just after I completed the journey that the late Mike Allen walked a slightly different version (from Land's End to Cape Wrath) between 1988 and 1994, so he will have covered the same ground apart from the most north-easterly 220km.

There have subsequently been several walks and publications about parts of the JoGLE watershed, including Peter Wright's 2010 Ribbon of Wildness account of his Scottish section walked in 2005, which has brought the subject of watershed walking in the UK to a wider audience.

I hope you enjoy this blog. I'm planning to publish a full account in 2013/4. A summary of the walk appeared in The Angry Corrie volume 76 in 2009.

Malcolm Wylie.

Tuesday 6 July 1999

Day 47 - round Meikle Bin to the Kilsyth Hills

Today was dry and quite enjoyable, being back on some hills and with only a little forest penetration to do.

The first part was through forest and then up onto the east end of the Campsie fells. Thereafter it was due east for the whole day, passing Meikle Bin on our left. This hill is notable for having been the inspiration for Dave Hewitt's watershed walk - my own idea came more from Wainwright's Pennine Way introduction.

The photo shows our last view back to the Highlands from the Kilsyth Hills ridge. Looking the other way, the industrialised Central Belt came into view - I know which I prefer!

We had a gentle walk along the ridge, taking in Garrel Hill and Tomtain, before camping at 740810.

We popped down into Banton for a pie and a pint. The Swan Inn (read the book for the full awfulness of this place) didn't serve food, but at least we got a drink there. Then back up to the tent for the night.
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