Black Hill, Bridge of Allan

20 February 2017

 

Participants: Neil and Ben

Where: Black Hill, Bridge of Allan, 226m/741', Tump, Map 57, NS 809980

 

Grey and cloudy, day after day this year in the Glasgow area. No sign of a prolonged spell of bright weather on the horizon. And this morning it rained. However, about noon, it started to clear, the Campsie Fells appeared and amazingly the sun came out.

 

There was still time to take advantage. The nearest and easiest Marilyn was Dumyat at the west end of the Ochils, a hill that I had climbed many times before but not for a few years now. So off we headed. Arriving at the high car park on the Sheriffmuir road, I realised that I would not be climbing Dumyat. A big flock of sheep grazed the hillside so Ben would have to go on his lead. And Ben on a lead at the start of a walk is a nightmare. Fortunately I remembered that the hill on the opposite side of the road above the car park was a Tump and one that I had not climbed before. Although it was heavily wooded, it would at least give us some exercise. In fact, it was a very pleasant walk through the trees.....

 

 

and it didn't take long before I could see the summit area.....

 

 

The trees had been cleared from the top of the hill leaving the usual mess of brash. The hill-bagging site helpfully provided the information that the highest point was "ground by a tree stump". Hmmmm!!!

 

 

At least there was a view. This is looking towards Ben Ledi, Stuc a'Chroin and Ben Vorlich......

 

 

And to Ben Chonzie.....

 

 

Stuc a'Chroin again.....

 

 

It was like a spring day, a temperature of 12 degrees and only a few snow patches visible on the distant hills. We headed back to the track and had a wander along some of the other laid out trails on the hill slopes before making our way back to the car, Dumyat ahead......

 

 

A short walk but extremely pleasant. But I need to be careful.....I seem to be starting to collect Tumps!