Lochlyoch Hill and Howgate Hill

 12 June 2024

Where: Lochlyoch Hill, 529m/1,736', P 43m, Tump, OS 71/72, NS 930 342 and Howgate Hill, 450m/1,476', P 71m, Tump, OS 71/72, NS 911 342

These two Tumps form the westward extension of Tinto Hill and indeed could be climbed with it if you had two cars available. I decided to climb them from the south, the B 7055, and found a parking spot c.300m east of Burnhead Cottage from where a track went up to (and past) a col between the two hills. The view up the track with Howgate Hill on the left and Lochlyoch Hill on the right.....

The main objective of the day was Lochlyoch Hill and I tackled it first, leaving the main track before reaching a quarry on to another track which went steeply through the forest. This emerged on to open slopes not far from the summit.....

The highest point wasn't marked and there was a good view east to Tinto....

and west to Howgate Hill.....

I retraced my steps to the main track (Howgate Hill ahead).....

and carried on past the old quarry to the col from where another track started very steeply up the slopes of Howgate Hill. This almost disappeared higher up where the forest had been cut down but there were traces of a path through the brash. Again the summit was unmarked, I made it to be just inside the trees.....

There were good views of Lochlyoch Hill and Tinto on the way back down......

And then it was a case of retracing steps on the track back to the car.....