I know I am really lucky to be able to walk outside for an hour or so, every single day. But though I love my daily walks, I have of late rather missed walking much further, in the hills. A few days ago, I had a sudden urge to go for a good long walk so we all set out for Conic Hill.
We can see the knobbly outline of Conic Hill from the top of our garden, and it’s an important local landmark. The hill’s name has nothing to do with its shape but is rather an anglicised form of the Gaelic còinneach (meaning mossy). It’s the hill that gave its name to this moss-inspired cardigan design.
Moss thrives in damp environments . . . and on a rainy February day, Conic Hill is very damp indeed!
Our spirits were not damp though . . .
. . . on the contrary, it felt quite exhilarating to get up high above the landscape once again, and to see these familiar local vistas.
At the top of the hill, the cloud descended, and for a while we were buffeted by hail
. . .but the skies cleared on the way back down, opening out one of my all-time favourite local views, west across Loch Lomond, and the islands and crannogs that mark the Highland Boundary Fault.
We all came home tired and soaked but very happy.
Roll on Spring, and more long days outdoors, like this.
If you’d like to know more about Conic Hill and the environs of Loch Lomond, I wrote an essay about this landscape in our West Highland Way book. And if you are interested in my knits, I’m wearing a pair of Green Shoots Mittens and a Craigallian Hat.
KDD & Co 
Thank you for the views and feelings from the mossy scenery, walking is the nicest way to journey.
My husband + I were to go a’cruising your way (the Shetland Islands+Scotland) by got way sided by the current pandemic problem, someday we hope to get there, your website is a teaser.
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I’ve always thought the pattern was called Coinneach (without the accent), which is the Gaelic version of the name of my eldest son, Kenny, and indeed of my lovely father in law after whom he was named. Coinneach means handsome. Interesting to find out I’d got this wrong (but I’m no Gaelic scholar, so it wasn’t a surprise).
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yes – in Irish it’s a common boys name . . . Scottish Gaelic is different (hence the accent etc)
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I am enjoying your posts tremendously.
One thing I am entranced with are the big fuzzy white mittens I see you wearing in some pictures.. Is there a pattern for them for sale?
Thanks, Elizabeth Lane
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ah – they are my warm sheepskin pair – so no pattern unfortunately
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WALKIES! best thing on earth…unfortunately I have to drive to walk in the woods. Missed this AM due to rain/snow mix and the road I have to go on is dodgy at times. we have 2 acres fenced but you know dogs………been there done that :) Lets go somewhere else.! That will be tomorrow and still walking thru 8″ of snow. Love your views and you look great!!
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Thanks for the beautiful views, and for the link to the discussion of the Highland boundary fault. I hadn’t even realized that there was a fault running through Scotland. Having lived beside the San Andreas fault all my life, I feel a surprising new kinship with you. ;)
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Kate
I’ve waited far too long to mention how wonderful it has been to read your posts of late! Thanks so very much for these gifts!
Your writing always inspires and this morning you really reminded me to get out and enjoy the landscape no matter what the weather is doing. Where I live in Canada, we are very accustomed to frozen, snowy conditions and being outside in this weather has always been fun for me. All the knits come in very handy right now!!! What I have trouble with are the wetter conditions like the ones you mention in this post. I’m wondering if you wouldn’t mind sharing some information on your outerwear. You look so dry and cozy in your jacket and trousers … are they a UK brand? Thanks in advance!
Cheers
Cheryl in Gore Bay, Ontario
(formerly Cheryl from Creemore)
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Thank you Cheryl! both the jacket and pants are fjallraven (a Swedish brand) – and are brilliant – totally fit for purpose. I love the parka especially, which is dry and super sturdy – the hood is amazing in heavy rain and snow – and there are vents to undo when things get warm. I wax both the jacket and the trousers to improve the waterproofing.
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Hi Kate, thanks for taking us along on your lovely walk. I’m wondering about your very sturdy and stylish looking hoodie. What is the brand?
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The space around you looks wonderful – I’m missing being able to get up real hills, though having Baildon Moor nearby is a lifesaver.
That wouldn’t happen to be a Merchante & Mills Landgate parka you’re wearing there, would it?
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Oh, thank you for sharing this. Brought back wonderful memories of Conic Hill on a warm, late spring day, adders basking on the path and, if I remember aright, a giant chair (but, it was awhile ago and it might no longer be there, or, it might be my memory). But thank you so much
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I have great memories of walking up and then down Conic Hill as part of walking the West Highland
Way – something I only knew about from your blog, so I have you to thank for it. Can’t wait till we can do such things again….
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You are so lucky to have open ground to walk on, and such a beautiful place to walk nearby. I’m blessed to live in a lovely spot for walking on the coast of Maine, but the snow cover limits where I can go, and i miss the smell of the damp grass and shrubs at this time of year. The pictures are stunning, I can feel the wind and moisture on my cheeks looking at them.
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We’re just about to go to the Mooskopf (mossy head) here in the Black Forest – funny coincidence 🙂
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I love the sound of your Mooskopf – definitely quite a few of those here in Scotland too!
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Oh my – we are missing our holidays in your part of the Black Forest. Walking up to Mooskopf is one of the highlights we look forward to. Lucky you to live there!
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Oh that’s interesting! We only moved here last year and due to Covid we covered quite a bit of the Middle/ Northern Black Forest. I now know it better than the Southern part, where I grew up.
Hope you can return soon!
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Bobby looks so great! How is Bruce doing? Looks like he is wearing a harness. I hate that my Lucy is getting old.
Lori Versaci Sent from my iPhone
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ah – that’s Bobby in the harness – he had a problem with the skin on his neck last year, so this works quite well. Bruce is coming up to 11, and, though he no longer goes out running with Tom, remains an indefatigable walker, and a lovable grumpy old uncle to Bob.
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