Walking in the Ochils, Campsie Fells and Lomond Hills. Patrick Baker
the fast-flowing burns from the steep southern escarpment of the Ochils supplied the ideal method of powering the many textile mills that came into existence in the collectively named ‘Hillfoot’ towns of Menstrie, Tillicoultry and Alva. At the height of production, towards the last quarter of the 19th century, the Hillfoots was the second largest wool-producing area in Scotland, with over 1500 people directly employed in the textile industry in the town of Alva alone. Fine examples of mill houses are the Clock Mill, ideally located at the bottom of Mill Glen, and the large Strude building in Alva.
Heavy industry was present in the Ochils, however, before the advent of textile production. The discovery of silver at the beginning of the 18th century sparked some large-scale mining operations. At their most prolific they were producing silver to the value of £4000 per week from the largest known deposit of silver ore in Great Britain. Other minerals such as coal and copper have also been heavily exploited in the Ochils, and the hills themselves bear the marks of these mining activities, in particular the numerous mines-shaft openings found in and around the aptly named Silver Glen.
PRACTICALITIES
How to Use this Guide
The walks are divided into three sections, one for each range of hills, and each section opens with an introduction to the area. All the route descriptions begin with a summary of information, along with an overview of what can be expected on the walk, including any significant details concerning terrain and navigation. The summary includes the distance, height gain and approximate time required for the walk (the time estimated for each walk is calculated at a walking speed of 5km an hour, using Naismith's Rule for ascent, and does not include time taken for breaks), as well as the required map and a difficulty rating.
The maps in the guide are from the OS 1:50,000 Landranger series, but it is highly advisable to also carry the relevant OS 1:25,000 Explorer or Harvey's 1:25,000 maps (identified in the summary at the start of the walk), as many routes require intricate map referencing unavailable on the larger 1:50,000 maps. The difficulty rating takes into account navigation, terrain and time spent on the hill, and ranges from 1, which is an easily manageable route such as Walk 24, Dungoil in the Campsie Fells, to 4 for routes such as Walk 20, the Round of Nine in the Ochils, which involves long distances, some difficult terrain underfoot and potentially complicated navigating.
A basic level of ability in macronavigating is assumed, as is the understanding of grid references, map orientation, gradients, map symbols and estimation of distances. For more challenging routes the ability to use a compass in setting and walking on bearings is crucial, as are micro-navigational skills involved in timing and pacing distances.
Quite often route descriptions will refer to ‘attack points’. These are obvious features that are aimed for en route to a less visible destination point near the ‘attack point’. Many of the routes also use obvious linear features in the landscape – such as a burn, the edge of a forest or a fenceline – as useful ‘navigational handrails’ that lead the walker on to the next obvious feature on a route.
A view of Dumgoyne in the Campsie Fells (Walk 21)
Planning and Preparation
An element of risk is inherent in all the hills and wild places visited in this guide. Fortunately, careful planning and preparation can minimise potential risks, and the hills can be enjoyed safely and respectfully.
Before setting out, careful consideration should be given to whether the demands of a particular walk can be met by the fitness, equipment, experience and skills of those undertaking it. For example, it would be foolish for a walker with only basic map reading skills to attempt a route through featureless terrain in poor visibility.
When a walk has been selected, a ‘route card’ (a simple description of the route to be taken, along with an estimated time to arrive back and a note of the number of people in the group) should be left with someone who can anticipate your return.
Weather conditions should also be taken into account before starting out – obtain accurate, up-to-date local forecasts where possible. The route descriptions assume summer conditions prevail, but our maritime climate means that extreme weather is possible at any time of the year, and it should be assumed that a variety of conditions may occur in one day. When planning a walk the effects of weather should factored into the demands of the route, as strong winds and driving rains can be both energy sapping and demoralising, although hot and still days may have equally debilitating effects. Clothing and equipment should also be planned in advance to match the prevailing and expected conditions.
As well as being prepared with essential equipment (listed in the section below), some dietary preparation before and during a walk will be of benefit. The complex carbohydrates in starchy foods such as pasta, rice and wholemeal bread take longer to be broken down into an energy-giving form, so these are excellent for releasing energy evenly over longer periods, and are best consumed some time before a walk.
On the hill, a mix of different food groups will result in a sustained release of energy. Some typical foods to be packed in the rucksack could consist of those high in carbohydrates and fat, such as peanut butter wholemeal sandwiches, as well as those that supply natural sugars, such as dried fruit, proteins from seeds and nuts, and quick-release energy foods such as chocolate.
It is also important to replace the large amounts of fluid lost from the body during hillwalking. Burns and rivers are encountered on almost every walk in this guide, but the large amount of livestock found in most areas means that water collected during a walk may well be contaminated, so it is essential for enough water (1–1.5 litres is as an initial guide for an average-length walk) to be carried and consumed throughout a walk, with the principle of drinking ‘small amounts often’ to avoid the effects of dehydration.
Essential Equipment
Appropriate clothing for the conditions likely to be experienced is key to an enjoyable and safe day's walking. Scotland is subject to the fickle nature of our climate more so than many other areas of Britain, so even in summer, clothing needs to be able to adapt to sudden changes in weather. Despite recent innovations in the use of single, multipurpose garments, the most reliable method of combating changeable conditions is the layering principle, allowing the walker to achieve insulation and warmth, as well as protection from the elements, by combining different layers of clothing for specific purposes.
An excellent viewpoint along Endrick Water from Dunmore (Walk 26)
For the base layer, next to the skin, synthetic material such as polypropylene provides good insulation while transferring or ‘wicking’ perspiration away from the skin through to the layers of the outer garments. (Cotton t-shirts have the opposite effect – of storing moisture – and are thus unsuitable for colder conditions where they chill the body easily.) On top of the base layer, thicker, insulating garments, such as a fleece or woollen jumper, should be worn for heat retention, after which the outer layer or ‘shell’ should be a waterproof and windproof fabric that is also breathable, allowing moisture to escape to the outside.
The layering principle is relevant for both summer and winter conditions, as layers are added or removed to adapt to the work-rate (and heat generation) while walking, and the external weather conditions experienced. Other items to be carried year-round are a warm hat and gloves, while in summer a wide-brimmed hat is essential to protect against the sun. In addition to the clothing worn on the day, it is advisable to carry a warm, lightweight fleece inside a waterproof bag in the rucksack.
Choice of footwear generally comes down to personal preference, but the mixed terrain encountered on these walks means that proper hillwalking boots rather than shoes or trainers are required. Assuming non-winter walking conditions apply, the boots should be reasonably flexible, waterproof with a bellowed tongue, have good ankle support but allow for enough movement over different gradients, and have a sole with grips that are thick enough for moving over rocky ground. To avoid