Sue and I are having a quick ovenight trip to Edinbrugh to see the Tattoo on Thurday (15th August). I am hoping to have time for a quick activation on the way home on Friday. I need to be home Friday night by 9pm.
So far Black Mount (GM/SS-158) SOTLAS is looking favourite, but I’m open to other suggestions? Can do VHF and/or HF.
I’ve seen handy route details from Phil @G4OBK
I’ll watch for spots on Friday. I’m /MM on Friday out on the Forth but will have a Quansheng with me for 2m.
Black hill GM/SS-167 from Flotterstone might be another option for you, it’s not so steep as Black mount.
Andy
MM7MOX
GM/SS-254 -Cairnpapple hill. Lots of room for HF.
Beware of the very inquisitive beasts in the field. Or maybe they’re in a different one now. I was surround by cattle last NA<>EU S2S day. Disconcerting for a while.
I was up there last year I think it was and no animals came to play radio
Sneak in Arthur’s Seat GM/SS-272 with your handheld for a bonus point, and then walk the Royal Mile up to the castle.
Well last November there were 15+. They saw me and wandered up from the nice lush grass to the trig and surrounded me. I was at the trig and they surround me basically all facing the trig and radiating out like hands on a clock face. One of them got cow snot all over my rucksack by licking it whilst I was wearing it. 
They were very skittish and when I sneezed they all jumped back. Once I realised they were just being inquisitive (probably bullocks but I didn’t check to closely) I waited for them to wander off. The danger being another sneeze etc. could make them run off and I’d get caught up with 1/2ton beasts running off in a hurry. A Land Rover then drove across the field coming nearer, about 200m away and the engine noise made them all move away faster than they wandered up. I made my escape to a different part of the large AZ and the LR noise drove them further away.
It’s more a matter of confidence in making “farmer noises” to move them on so they don’t come near. But I was on edge all activation in case they came back.
YMMV
Hmmm. That’s an idea Fraser, I’m not worried about the point… so just one contact would do. I’ve got a 1/4 wave for the FT-270. 4 contacts would be a bonus.
Is there a standing local net frequency in Edinburgh?
I’ll see what Sue wants to do… I’m already taking some of the Friday up… maybe best not to be too greedy.
I know what you mean Andy. I’ve had this before too. It’s particularly disconcerting as you are usually sat on the ground “tied” to a radio too.
I used to work on a dairy farm when I was in my teens… so know all about the “noises” and arm waving needed… but that was over 40 years ago and time certainly makes you less confident around cattle.
It’s such a good choice… that it’s one of the few I’ve done before! 
March 2015.
I think that was the one Andy @MM0FMF popped up to say hello?
Yes, cattle free too!
I’m not sure Gerald, however I’ve always had a decent haul of chasers from there, reaching as far as Glasgow.
Don’t forget to get permission. I just activated Arthur’s Seat a few weeks ago. I got permission via email a few weeks in advance.
The place was overrun with people. I wish I’d had 2m with me… finding a spot to put up my HF antenna was a challenge!
Have fun!
Good to catch you today on Black mount GM/SS-158 from out in the Forth near the Railway bridge.
We had a visitor whilst out there this morning on the way out to the race area.
Andy
MM7MOX/MM (today)
No cattle today on Black Mount GM/SS-158. Just sheep down in the valley.
Cattle on Black Mount are down at the bottom near Elsrickle. If they are there. Normally sheep on the slopes. But it’s a nice little 2pt summit.
