Walking in the Ochils, Campsie Fells and Lomond Hills. Patrick Baker
into some soggy terrain before ascending steadily to the oblong and unmarked top of Big Hunt Hill (520m). A lack of any useful navigational features at this point means that close attention to macronavigation is required in clear weather, and precise micronavigation must be used in poor visibility to stay on route.
Head southeasterly from the top of Big Hunt Hill to the spot-height marked 496m at GR849009 in between the start of two burns (taking a bearing to this point is advisable even in good weather). Begin to ascend gradually from this point, heading to the spot-height marked 541m (Explorer) at GR855007, and continue east to the fenceline at Menstrie Moss. Here the terrain becomes quite boggy in parts, but navigation becomes easier as a faint path parallels the fence northwards, descending to a small burn (after crossing a fence) and then ascending all the way to Blairdenon Hill (still roughly following the fence). The flat, featureless top of Blairdenon (631m) is probably the most uninspiring in the Ochils, so there is not much reason to linger on the unmarked summit.
Cross over to the north side of the fence and take the vague, grassy path next to the fence that heads southwesterly towards Greenforet Hill. Just before reaching Greenforet there is a humble memorial cairn with a small white cross, planted amongst several pieces of twisted and rusting metal. The sobering memorial marks a more recent part of Ochils history, when numerous aircraft crashed over the hills during the Second World War. The worst occasion was 18 January 1943, when three Spitfires flying in formation crashed in the Ochils, killing two of the pilots.
After the memorial the path bends around without actually reaching Greenforet summit and descends towards the col before Mickle Corum. This is the best part of the walk, with great views north and west and a good view down Glen Tye from the col. Ascend gradually from the col to Mickle Corum summit (594m) and cross the fence to reach the obvious cairn to enjoy perhaps the best vantage point west in the range.
Descend almost due west from the cairn for 700m, again without a path, to reach a broad col, and proceed gently upwards in the same direction for a further 300m to the broad, unmarked top of Glentye Hill (481m). Change direction from Glentye Hill and descend in a roughly southwesterly direction, edging gradually closer to the Old Wharry Burn to eventually arrive back at the bottom of Glen Tye where this burn was originally crossed.
From here cross back over the burn and return to the start point near the Sheriffmuir Inn. (It is worth taking a swift diversion to Wallace's Stone and the four other linearly aligned stones.)
WALK 2A
Dumyat Hill
| Start | Blairlogie car park (GR832968) |
| Distance | 5km |
| Total Ascent | 403m |
| Grade | 1 |
| Time | 1hr 40min |
| Maps | OS Landranger 57 (1:50,000) OS Landranger 58 (1:50,000) OS Explorer 366 (1:25,000) Harvey's Map – Ochil Hills (1:25,000) |
The most distinctive hill in the Ochils range, Dumyat is a relatively small but undeniably handsome volcanic plug at the western corner of the southern escarpment. Its easy accessibility from a couple of car parking spots means that this is also the busiest hill in the range, and as such the main path up to its summit can become quite congested at times and is very badly eroded in parts. However, the three circular routes below aim to make the most of the differing approaches to this complex hill, and also avoid the main crowds.
An easy and quick route to the summit that circles back to the start point via the eastern flank of the hill.
Head north from the car park up a few steps to the stile and cross the track to head directly onto the small path that ascends steeply for 10m through shrubs. This path proceeds to contour around the side of the hill westwards, squeezing through brambles and gorse bushes for a few hundred metres until it crosses a small burn in more open ground. The path becomes more established at this point and climbs parallel to the wooded burn, past the convergence of tributary burns, to cross one of these tributary burns after approximately 250m.
Ahead, the more visible path moving upwards into more craggy terrain is to be ignored. Instead, take the grassy route through bracken, keeping a small scree section under some small crags to the right, to shortly arrive at a gate. Once through the gate, continue on the obvious path as it rises to meet the very well-established path running east to west. Take this track east, reaching a stile at the boggy watershed for the Warroch Burn. At this point, the short diversion south to the top of Castle Law is worthwhile for a less crowded summit view. Continue for a few more minutes to reach the summit of Dumyat (418m), marked on its rocky top by a cairn and a stone-filled beacon.
The exit route from the summit is not immediately clear, but the path begins just 10m or so northeast of the cairn and zigzags down before flattening to an obvious grassy route that continues southeasterly, reaching a farm track just after a fenced water-drainage area. Turn right at the farm track and descend along the track, passing some houses as the route swings round beneath the impressive south-facing crags of Dumyat until reaching the burn at Warlock Glen.
At this point, instead of passing through the gate and cattle-grid, turn up the path by the sign saying Dumyat Farm and cross the burn at the small footbridge. Continue along this path, with pleasant mixed woodland on the left, until you arrive back at the stile at Blairlogie car park.
WALK 2B
Dumyat Hill
| Start | Menstrie (GR851971) |
| Distance | 6km |
| Total Ascent | 403m |
| Grade | 2 |
| Time | 1hr 50min |
| Maps | OS Landranger 57 (1:50,000) OS Landranger 58 (1:50,000) OS Explorer 366 (1:25,000) Harvey's Map – Ochil Hills (1:25,000) |
An ambling and gradual route that follows the verdant and tranquil Menstrie Glen behind the back of Dumyat for the least busy ascent of the hill.
From the A91 at the west end of Menstrie, take Park Road, turning at the Holly Tree pub. As the road curves around to the right (away from the scout hut) park near the line of cottages.
At the end of the cottages a track heads towards the start of the hill, with a sign marking footpath on the wooden telephone pole. Cross here at the stile and follow the broad farm track, passing over a metal stile at the first loop in the track. Stay on this track as it somewhat tediously loops its way higher then contours parallel to Menstrie Burn.
At GR848974 leave the main farm track and continue along the grassy path that remains parallel to Menstrie Burn. After approximately 600m through bracken and gorse bushes, on the narrow but distinct path, go through the farm gate and cross the burn on the footbridge 200m further on. The path then descends amongst hazel trees to run by the side of the burn, crossing footbridges at the Second, then Third Ichna Burns. This section of the walk is perhaps the most pleasant, particularly in summer months when the sound of the slow-moving burn and the lush greenery of trees and bracken create a really tranquil environment.
At the Third Ichna Burn, pass through the metal gate, but ignore the obvious route across the wooden footbridge over the Menstrie Burn, instead heading right and uphill on an indistinct track that leads into a grassy pasture with pleasant views back to the burn. As the path becomes less distinct and eventually fades completely, head towards the gate at the bottom end of the drystone dyke, now directly in view. Pass through the