One metre decides the high point!

I walked over this hill on 20 June 2010. When planning the walk I noticed that the grid ref given in MV related to Pt 292 on the OSNI Sheet 18 and that a higher Pt 293 and trig pillar lay some 700m to the SW of this reference at A (H36950 70100). Given that this height 293m agreed with that listed for the hill in MV I assumed that this latter spot height was the high point. I parked near the entrance gates to a communications mast at B (H373 708) on a minor road that runs from SE to NW across the flat top of the hill. I decided to do a short looped walk that would take me over both spot heights. Initially I walked W for some 200m across the heather covered moorland to to Pt 292, the listed MV grid ref C (H371 708), which is unmarked in any way and on ground that is so flat that a number of heathery clumps could vie to be the "top". Once there I continued on SSW across the bog in search of the trig pillar and Pt 293. It was not immediately apparent as it was nestled down behind some turf banks at A (H36950 70100) with the high point up on the bank a few meteres away from the pillar. When I was there I a man was cutting turf on the bank and, on chatting to him, he told me that the name locally for the hill was Pidgeon Top. Satisfied that my short walk had taken me across the high point I headed NE back to my car some 800m away. When I was there the ground was very dry and made for easy walking. I doubt that this would be the case after a prolonged spell of wet weather. The views from Pollnalaght are extensive. The Donegal Highlands were clearly visable to the N with Muckish in full profile and the sharp point of Errigal jutting up above lower tops in the range. Over to the W were the Bluestacks while SW was Cuilcagh, the high point for Cavan/Fermanagh. Nearer at hand to the NE was Bessy Bell, Mullaghcarn and other Sperrin's tops. Perhaps at some convenient time, and if in agreement with my thoughts on the matter, a change might be made to the current grid reference for the top of the hill. Interestingly in the first edition OSNI Sheet 18 the current MV grid ref is shown as Pt 298 ( Pt 292 in later editions) and no spot height is given for the trig pillar! By all means visit this hill if in, or near, the area but preferably combine it with one or two other tops on the same day, In my case I also climbed Dooish which is a short drive away and Slievemore near Ballygawley Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/961/comment/5900/

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Pollnalaght to Dooish

Leave Pidgeon Top around D (H37370 70713) and walk out into the heather, crossing a fence and then a track on your way to E (H36953 70089). The Trig point is hidden from view by a large bank till you are close by, the top of the bank being of a greater height than the Trig point. Views are extensive in all directions, i could make out some of the hills i climbed over the May Day Bank Holiday and the 3 hills I have left to climb in Northern Ireland.

From the Trig Point descend over rough ground to cross the river at around F (H36309 70377) (2 fences to cross on the way here) and walk beside the stream picking up the track at G (H35968 70310) following it down hill to the minor road at H (H34813 69394), turning left along it and right at I (H35080 68437) and left again at J (H33341 68561). At K (H33162 67381) and right again at L (H32712 66741)6. See Dooish for rest of route. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/961/comment/4692/

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A while ago now

Resurrected, a shot of the Lowdown Trig Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/961/comment/23782/

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Summit Searching

From the Drumquin - Omagh road, I took the Corradinna Road towards the mast, clearly visible from the bottom ot the hill. Near the mast there is a lay by at the Pigeon Top viewing point, and I parked here. I walked to both Point C and Point A to be sure of reaching the summit. From Point C, Point A where the trig pillar is situated, does look higher, but from Point A, Point C looks higher! You would need some accurate technology to sort this out. When I arrived at Pigeon Top, I sat in the car for about 15 minutes waiting for a heavy downpour to pass, and looking out across the bog, this walk did not look promising. However, despite a lot of surface water, it was not deep, and the ground was generally hard undertoot, and it turned out to be a pleasant walk. Views are expansive, particularly to the South, to Dooish in the west, and Bessy Bell in the North. On the way back, I aimed for the masts just a little further along the road from the viewing point, and noticed a convenient gap in the barbed wire fence along the road, just opposite the Coolkeeragh Road. Worth doing along with some of the other smaller hills in the area. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/961/comment/15979/

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