Tumping around Oban-1

 21 April 2024

Where: Druim Mor (Gallanach), 137m/449', P 88m, Tump. OS 49, NM 841 282 and Dun Clachach (Connel), 78m/256', P32m, Tump, OS 49, NM 905 385

Good weather had arrived in the west of Scotland so it was off to Oban to do some hills before the midges arrived. I drove straight to Gallanach just to the south of Oban where I had one hill still to do. I drove past the Kerrera ferry terminal up the the high point of the road where there was a good parking area beside a building and where a good track started up the hill (and went all the way to Oban). On the track with Druim Mor ahead..... 

I branched off the track steeply up the hill at an obvious point and was soon on the unmarked top. It was a fine viewpoint as expected. Looking towards Oban, the Etive hills and Ben Cruachan distant.....

 

Over Kerrera, the hills of Mull beyond.....

Over north Kerrera with the Ardgour hills beyond.....

South down the Sound of Kerrera.....

Me with Kerrera and Mull beyond.....

It was still early so I decided to head for Connel to bag Dun Clachach. There was again plenty of parking at the start of a track which went as far as Connel loch before taking to the hillside. There were two tops with the Tump being the furthest away.....

West to Ardgour and Mull.....

East to Ben Cruachan.....

Connel bridge and Beinn Lora.....

A good start to the trip.

Forside Hill and Knock Leaven (Abington)

 31 March 2024

Where: Forside Hill, 376m/1,234', P 117m, Hump, OS 71/72, NS 919267 and Knock Leaven, 345m/1,135', P 55m, Tump, OS 71/72, NS 908260

Back down the M74 again on a very pleasant Easter Sunday to climb these hills which sit opposite each on either side of the motorway. I approached them from a minor road to the south. 

I parked a few hundred metres east of the motorway for Forside Hill. I had passed this impressive looking hill many times and thought that it must be a good viewpoint. The route was more or less straight up, through sheep fields initially and then up grassy slopes with some heather patches. Gates in all the right places. Approaching the trig.....

It was indeed a good viewpoint. Looking east to Tinto.....

Looking south to Tewsgill Hill and the Clyde wind farm.....

Looking south west down the M74.....

and west to Knock Leaven from lower down.....

I shifted the car to the other side of the motorway to a layby at the foot of a small plantation. The first field was a bit muddy but then it was easy grassy slopes. The high point wasn't marked on the ground. Looking to Forside Hill on the ascent.....

From the summit there was a fine view to Tinto and Dungavel Hill and of course Forside Hill....

South to Tewsgill Hill and the wind farm.....

There were more turbines to the north.....

I returned by the same route taking another photo of the southwards view but this time through the trees.....

Two very pleasant hills with easy ascents and fine views.