Earl's Hill & Fall Law, Ettrick, Borders, Scotland

Those going west to east on the Southern Upland Way will reenter hill country following a section of road walking along by Ettrick Water. St. Mary's Loch follows this but there is height to be gained and countryside within which to be immersed beforehand. What you see above is the view across Whithope Burn from Pikestone Rig towards Fall Law and beyond to Earl's Hill; the former is the nearer of the two. When I walked this way, I met no one so solitude virtually is guaranteed on this stretch, a good thing if you need to some thinking as you walk. Of course, it's best not to forget to admire your surroundings as well.