Long Craig (Greenock)

27 August 2021

Participants: Just me

Where: Long Craig, 132m/433', P 35m, Tump, OS 63, NS 252 761 

The first new hill for a while, the weather has been too hot and humid for me! I am still not driving so it was another rail journey, this time to Branchton.....

The south slopes of Long Craig are built upon but it is clear to the north and that is the way that I went. From the station I walked up the road past the hospital and shortly after that found a signposted path which took me into what is a local nature reserve. The summit area from the path.....

I followed the main path for a few hundred yards before striking uphill on a faint path which seemed to head to the summit. The high point itself was in amongst brambles.....

It was another warm day and there was still some low lying cloud over the Cowal hills to the north.....

I had time to spare before the train back so I walked round Coves reservoir from where there was a good view of the hill which, I must admit, was not very inspiring......

Kenmure Hill and the Semple Trail

 7 July 2021.

Participants: Just me

Where: Kenmure Hill, 77m/253', P 35m, Tump, OS 63, NS 387 606

A station to station walk taking in a Tump, a mysterious tower, a ruined church and a forest maze. The walk followed tracks on the west side of  Castle Semple Loch and is part of The Semple Trail. The rest of the Trail round the east side of the loch follows roads in part and is for another day..... 

I took the train to Howwood and headed firstly to the Tump, Kenmure Hill, which I had bagged before but which always repays a visit on a clear day. The north top is the highest (just) but it is the tower- The Temple- on the south top which is of the greatest interest. It was built around 1500 and it's purpose is the subject of speculation. However, the local history society say that it was either built as a summer house to take advantage of the superb view or else simply as a folly. The roof and internal floors have gone but (at least on a clear day such as this) the view remains.........

I dropped down the south side of the hill, traversed under the cliffs beneath the Temple and joined the walking/cycling track that followed the route of a former railway line.....

This was rather shut in but the official Trail soon left it to pass the ruins of Castle Semple Collegiate Church. The church was founded in 1504 by John, Lord Sempill, in the grounds of his castle, of which there is now no trace. Like all Collegiate churches, it's purpose was to pray for the souls of the Lord and his family. Originally a much smaller and plainer building, it was extended after Lord Sempill's death at the Battle of Flodden in 1513. It fell out of use after the Reformation and subsequently served as a burial ground. The church ruin contains Lord Sempill's tomb.....

I carried on past the church to enter the wood on Courtshaw Hill, leaving the main path to climb to the top of the hill (of course!). I was surprised to find a woodland maze at the top but one of the paths led to a viewpoint over Castle Semple Loch.....

Downhill again, I rejoined the main track and shortly after I was back in civilisation at the Visitor Centre. After a short rest, i continued along the Trail firstly along the loch-side where there was a good view back with the Temple visible in the far distance.....

A track ran alongside the main road and took me to Lochwinnoch station and the end of a fine walk.....

Dunglass and an add on to the Thomas Muir Heritage Trail

22 June 2021

Participants: Just me

Where: Dunglass, 153m/502', P 50m, Tump, OS 64, NS 576 789

I walked the Thomas Muir Heritage Trail in stages earlier this year and reckoned that continuing on to Strathblane, again on the route of the old railway line would be worth doing. So yesterday I did that and climbed Dunglass again as it was there! I wasn't disappointed, it was a nice walk in open countryside and Dunglass is a brilliant viewpoint. This is a much longer route to the hill than that from Strathblane to the west, which is how I did it before and as I was using the bus, I had to retrace my steps as well!

I joined the walk mid way between Lennoxtown and Clachan of Campsie, getting off the bus at a roundabout and junction to a relatively new estate. The start of the track, with Dunglass just visible in the distance (the pointed hill left of centre).....

Some photos of the walk along the track, with views back to Lairs/Cort ma Law in the main Campsie Fells.....

Dunglass appears ahead.....

I arrived at the foot of Dunglass just as the farmer was removing some cows and calves from the field for some sort of branding. It was to be a quick task and I wanted to be back down before they were released back into the field again. I almost made it but by circling round some higher ground I managed to avoid them on the way down. Dunglass close up.....

It is a magnificent view point. Looking east down the valley towards Lairs/Cort ma Law.....

Looking over Strathblane with the hills around Loch Lomond just visible......

Looking to the Kilpatrick Hills.....

Looking to the main Campsie Fells.....

It is well worth doing this walk either on its own or as an add-on to the Thomas Muir Trail or on its own even if Dunglass is not included.

Tollie Hill and Albion Park (Fife)

17 June 2021

Participants: Just me

Where: Tollie Hill, 159m/522', P 33m, Tump, OS 58, NT 166 933 and Albion Park, 169m/554', P 36m, Tump, OS 58, NT 188 929

A visit to Fife and the unlikely hill walking start of Cowdenbeath station.....

Tollie Hill lies to the north-east of the town. I walked from the station to Golf Course Road, crossed a playing field and picked up a series of paths that passed the edge of a small loch and led all the way to the summit. The approach....

I hadn't been expecting much but it turned out to be a surprisingly good viewpoint.  North to Benarty Hill.....

Bishop Hill and East Lomond.....

East to Largo Law.....

Lochgelly, my next destination.....

I found another path that took me under the railway line and past a sports centre to the main road.....

 A small  number of Tump summits are in built up areas but Albion Park must be unique as the top is in a football ground, the home ground of Lochgelly Albert! The high point is the top of the west terracing but everything was locked up and the nearest point I could reach was the car park which apparently is acceptable as the "tick" summit.....

Gallow Hill (Bridge of Allan)

 12 June 2021

Participants: Just me

Where: Gallow Hill, 110m/361', P 43m, Tump, OS 57, NS 783 987

Very different from my last visit in winter 2018, the vegetation is very green this year. I took the train to Bridge of Allan, crossed the road from the station and picked up the track that goes to Dunblane. It started as a road past some houses and then became a good path between fields and hedges. A view of Gallow Hill.....

Where the path forked, I took a left and soon crossed a couple of stiles over a farm track. The path then contoured gently up the hill; there was a good view of Stirling from here with the Wallace Monument and Stirling Castle prominent.....

The rhododendrons were out.......

The summit area is in the trees to the right of the path, the actual high point is said to be the moss covered boulder in the bottom left of the photo.....

The trees are pretty thin here and it is easy to get through them to a grassy area from where there are good views of the Ochil hills to the east.....

and to the hills on the highland boundary fault o the north, Ben Ledi on the left and Stuc a'Chroin and Ben Vorlich on the right.....

A pleasant short walk.