Kilpatrick Braes: Middle Duncolm and Fynloch Hill

 22 June 2023

Where: Middle Duncolm, 393m/1,289', P 30m, Tump, OS 64, NS 467 771 and Fynloch Hill, 400m/1,312', P 46m, Tump, OS 64, NS 461 770

The very high temperatures and humidity which we had been enduring recently had eased slightly so I decided to do two of the Kilpatrick Hills Tumps which I had not yet done. I parked in Old Kilpatrick and followed the road/track up to Loch Humphrey, a bit of a slog if I am to be honest. It does however provide excellent views down to the Erskine bridge and Glasgow/Paisley and down the Clyde towards Greenock and the Cowal hills beyond. I took photos both on the way up and when I was coming back down.....

After passing the loch, the track becomes a good path and the hills come into view.....

I went to Middle Duncolm first, confirming as I did that when I climbed the Marilyn, Duncolm, many years ago, I had not climbed this one en route. The high point is unmarked and there was a view of the highland hills from it.....

Duncolm from Middle Duncolm.....

Fynloch Hill was close by and I found a path on it, albeit on the way down.....

This insignificant hill was a much better viewpoint. Looking over the Fyn Loch to Loch Lomond and the Munros/Corbetts of the Southern Highlands.....

East over Duncolm to the Campsie Fells.....

The day had warmed up considerably and I was starting to struggle, albeit it was mostly downhill now. I have had a sore back for a few weeks and that was affecting my legs. I was very glad to get back to the car park in Old Kilpatrick. Another visit to the physio coming up I think.

Glengaber Hill (Wanlockhead)

6 June 2023

Where: Glengaber Hill, 515m/1,690', P 40m, Tump, OS 71/78, NS 848 138 

Another visit to Wanlockhead and the excellent Lowther Hills. I was able to drive to and park at the end of the metalled road which went north from the village and which passed a number of old mine workings. This is now the route of the Southern Upland Way and a good path continued to within a few hundred metres of the top of Glengaber Hill, which is unmarked. The hill from the parking area.....

From the SUW looking east to Tinto.....

The summit looking over Stood Hill to the main Lowther Hills.....

Wanlockhead village from the summit.....

A former crushing and dressing plant.....

Former mine works, there a number of these around here.....

Spoil heap.....

The Point, Isle of Lismore

 1 June 2023

Where: The Point (Isle of Lismore), 51m/167', P 34m, Tump, OS 49, NM 893 462

I was heading home and drove to Port Appin to catch the passenger ferry to the Isle of Lismore, an island I had not been to before. Port Appin pier and the ferry.....

A former telephone box on the island side had been converted into an information point and it also sold some souvenirs, with an honesty box to leave your payment.....

 The island's northerly Tump, The Point, rises above the pier and it was a matter of minutes to make my way to the summit, where I found a queue of other  Tumpers wanting to visit the cairn.....

It was a wonderful viewpoint. The views of Eigg and Rum which I had been seeing the last two days were replaced with an array of peaks of which the Corbetts Fuar Bheinn and Creach Bheinn in Ardgour were the most prominent. Memories of a tough round of Glen Galmadale many years ago....

The view south down the island, which is mainly agricultural.....

and north up Loch Linnhe.....

I dropped back down to the road and walked a couple of miles to the houses at Port Ramsay, which is situated on the west side of the island.....

The Glen Galmadale hills from Port Ramsay.....

I then backtracked to the other side of the island and made my way back to the pier. The view north from here was to the Glen Etive hills.....

and in the distance, the Vair pair.....

And then it was time for the boat back to Port Appin, stopping there for a cup of tea and a scone before the drive home.....

It had been an excellent walk, although short as I had a fair way still to travel to get home. Well worth a revisit some day soon to see the rest of the island.

Sgurr Finnisg-aig (Nevis Range)

 31 May 2023

Where: Sgurr Finnisg-aig, 663m/2174', P37m, Tump, OS 41, NN 189 762

An easy day today- up the Gondola at Nevis Range and walk firstly to the Tump, Sgurr Finnisg-aig and then the viewpoint of Meall Beag, both on good paths. First trip on the Gondola, although I think that I once went up on a previous chair lift. Nice and cool at 2,000' and as I went in the morning I missed the worst of the crowds. It certainly got busy from about lunch time onwards. Sgurr Finnisg-aig and a Gondola car from the Nevis Range car park.....

Going up.....

Sgurr Finnisg-aig from the upper station.....

Summit rock.....

Looking to Fort William and Loch Eil from the summit.....

Looking to Carn Mor Dearg and Ben Nevis from the summit.....

Upper station and Sgurr Finnisg-aig from the path to Meall Beag.....

Meall Beag was the better viewpoint, especially for Carn Mor Dearg and because it was closer to Fort William and Loch Eil. It was also much less crowded that the Sgurr Finnisg-aig path and top......

Going back down.....

Well worth a visit, even if you're not bagging Tumps. Bit it needs a clear day, which I got.

Torr Mor (Arisaig) and Bourblach Hill (Mallaig)

 30 May 2023

Where: Torr Mor, 81m/266', P 63m, Tump, OS 40, NM 632 856 and Bourblach Hill, 118m/387', P 81m, Tump, OS 40, NM 671 942

It was forecast to be a hot day so I left Fort William early to drive to Arisaig. Torr Mor is situated on a peninsula to the west of the village and is a fine viewpoint for the islands of the Inner Hebrides. I found a parking place beside the beach not far from the end of the minor road. Torr Mor from the approach road and the walk starting point with Eigg and Rum beyond, they were a constant view all day.....

The ascent, which was rough in places but fortunately not long.....

I soon arrived at the cairn, Eigg and Rum beyond.....

The Ailort Corbetts to the south.....

View to Arisaig.....

Views to Eigg and Rum with pleasure boat heading out to sea.....

I then headed north past Morar to park on the main road in a lay-by at the start of a track to a communications mast near to the summit of Bourblach Hill. This was a nice easy walk to a mostly grassy top and again with great views of the islands. On the track heading up.....

Approaching the cairn.....

Looking down on the silver sands of Morar with the steam train leaving Morar station in the second picture. Good, but unintentional timing!

More views of Rum and Eigg.....

The Cuillin of Skye' also Blaven and the Red Hills were also just visible on the horizon.....

I had intended to climb a couple of other Tumps but it was hot so I went to Mallaig instead and then back to Arisaig and the cafe there.