TuMPs Fire Hill and Bandrum Hill

13 November 2018

 

Participants: Just me

Where: Fire Hill, 202m/663', P 61m, TuMP, OS 58, NT 001 996 and Bandrum Hill, 225m/738', P 43, TuMP, NT 034 919

 

Early morning clag rolled away to leave a beautiful late autumn day. I took advantage by driving the shortish distance to the Saline area to climb these two TuMPs. A good decision. Fire Hill was approached from the road that passes Muckhart Golf Club and there is good parking at the start. I walked a little way up the track opposite, which is a public footpath to Dollar, and after going through a gate, headed uphill through some silver birches. The view back to Seamab Hill from the track.....

 

 

Then it was over a fence and up through sheep pasture to a small clump of trees which cover the highest area. The views were great; Fire Hill sits in front of the southern slopes of the Ochil Hills and provides a grandstand view of them. Looking to King's Seat Hill ......

 

And to Lendrick Hill.....

 

 

The Lomond Hills were clear to the east.....

 

 

A lovely wee TuMP!

 

I then drove south and parked in the car park at Steelend. Bandrum Hill summit is also the highest point of Bandrum golf course but I chose to leave the golfers in peace and instead approached it from the east. This involved a walk along a track, another public path, and then across a field. There is an old octagonal lookout tower on this side of the hill ("The Temple"); this is looking up the field towards the summit with the tower on the left.....

The summit itself might be this large stone or possibly a few yards further on......

Whatever, there was a good view north to Saline Hill, Saline Hill East Top, both still to do, and Knock Hill which I did a few weeks ago.....

I then had a look at the Tower. It was built in the 1840's by Archibald Hogg and comprised two rooms linked by a staircase, part of which is still visible. It doesn't appear to have any particular purpose apart from a lookout for the landowner.