West Highland Way: Trailblazer Ochils and Campsie Fells

 Bearsden & District

Campsie Fells

West Highland Way - Map West Highland Way: Footprint Map

Photographs of a circular hill walk to Earl's Seat ( 1897ft, 578m )

the highest point on the Campsie Fells via Dumgoyne  

Earl's Seat from Crow Road


Campsie Fells above Strathblane

Campsie Fells above Strathblane



Dumgoyne on the Campsie Fells



Craigbrock Farm and Kilpatrick Hills on ascent to Dumgoyne

Craigbrock Farm and Kilpatrick Hills

on ascent to Dumgoyne 




Dumgoyne in the Campsie Fells




Dumgoyne in the Campsie Fells






Duntreath Castle from Dumgoyne

Duntreath Castle from Dumgoyne

The Castle is to the east of

and close to the
West Highland Way






Luss Hills and Loch Lomond from Dumgoyne in the Campsie Fells




Ben Lomond from Earl's Seat in the Campsie Fells




Campsie Fells above Strathblane

Dumfoyne in the Campsie Fells

above Strathblane






Earl's Seat from Dumgoyne in the Campsie Fells

Earl's Seat from summit of Dumgoyne

in the Campsie Fells






Aerial view of Dumgoyne and Earl's Seat in the Campsie Fells

Aerial view of Earl's Seat and Dumgoyne

in the Campsie Fells







Dumgoyne on route to Earl's Seat

Dumgoyne

on traverse to
Earl's Seat





Stronend in the Fintry Hills on traverse to Earl's Seat

 Stronend in the Fintry Hills

on traverse to Earl's Seat






Luss Hills and Loch Lomond from cairn on traverse to Earl's Seat

Luss Hills and Loch Lomond

from
cairn on traverse to Earl's Seat 





Luss Hills and Loch Lomond from cairn on traverse to Earl's Seat

Luss Hills and Loch Lomond

on traverse to Earl's Seat 






Trig Point on Earl's Seat on the Campsie Fells

Trig Point ( 1897ft, 578m )

on Earl's Seat on the Campsie Fells



Dumgoyne from Graham's Cairn on descent from Earl's Seat

Dumgoyne from Graham's Cairn

 on descent from Earl's Seat




Parish Church at Killearn

Auchineden Hill

on descent from Earl's Seat



Craigbrock Farm House

Craigbrock Farm House


Location Map for Earl's Seat and the Campsie Fells

Location Map for Earl's Seat

and the Campsie Fells



Route Map for Earl's Seat and the Campsie Fells

Route Map for Earl's Seat

and the Campsie Fells





Route Map for Earl's Seat and the Campsie Fells

Route Map for Earl's Seat

and the Campsie Fells







Route Map for Earl's Seat and the Campsie Fells

Route Map for Earl's Seat

and the Campsie Fells






Map for the Campsie Fells
Map for the Campsie Fells






Map for Earl's Seat and the Campsie Fells

Map for Earl's Seat

and the Campsie Fells



EARL'S SEAT - ROUTE DESCRIPTION:

Distance: About 7 miles / 12km
Time: 3-4 hours
Start/finlsh: The Beech Tree Inn ( GR: NS523836 )
Information: www.lochlomond-trossachs.org



Just as the Pentlands are the hills of Edinburgh, so the Campsies dominate the skyline to the north of Glasgow, a range of bite~sized hills that have offered a form of sanctuary to Glaswegian hill-goers for generations.
The Campsies are made up of layers of lava flow and Dumgoyne, the fort of the arrows, the thumb-like addendum that sticks up at the western end of the fells, is an ancient volcanic plug whose name suggests that it was once a defensive site. Curiously, neighbouring Dumfoyne could be the “hill fort of the wart”, which probably best describes its appearance.
The area's highest point, Earl's Seat (578m), on the Fintry side of the fells, is probably named after the Earl of Lennox whose lands once extended on the south side of the Campsies. A good 12km hill tramp takes in both these landmarks by a fairly straightforward route with the promise of wide-ranging views to the urban skyline in the south and, in complete contrast, Ben Lomond and the jumble of hills that mark the beginnings of the Highlands in the north.
The Beech Tree Inn is on the route of the West Highland Way from where the route skirts the Glengoyne whisky distillery to cross the busy A81 road. A narrow road leads steeply uphill before to open hillside to the south of the house at Blairgar.
It's easy to consider these Campsie Fells as inferior to the Munros and Corbetts in terms of challenge but there are some steep climbs hereabouts and this is one of them. lt’s only about 420 metres of climbing to the summit of Earl's Seat from Blairgar but the initial climb, up the hill with the even steeper slopes of Dumgoyne to your right, is uncompromising.
Soon, with the green plug of Dumgoyne now behind, the track begins to ease off and usually muddier. Amid
the many bumps and hillocks of the wonderfully named Clachertyfarlie Knowes - in misty conditions it would be easy to become lost or at least temporarily misplaced.
Garloch Hill is the first rounded summit with views over the Ballikinrain Muir towards Balfron and the north. From here it is simply a case of following the edge to a prominent cairn then a wee divergence to the south-east up easy slopes to Earl’s Seat.
Return by the way of ascent with another divergence to climb the very steep north slopes of Dumgoyne. From there a good path descends to the south and then west to get back to the outward route above Blairgar.



Route:
Leave the car park ( it's correct to ask permission to leave your car at the Beech Tree Inn car park and better to buy tea or coffee, or maybe a
bacon roll, in the inn at the beginning of your walk or at the end when you'll most likely appreciate it ) and follow the WHW S to a turn-oit to the ielt that will take you past the Glengoyne distillery buildings.
Cross the busy A81 road and follow the winding access road to Blairgar.
Go through a gate into fields and follow the forest edge to the open hillside opposite Dumgoyne.
Climb steeply ENE until the slope eases off just before Garloch Hill.
Follow the cliff edge for about a kilometre to a prominent caim before turning uphill (SE) to reach the summit trig point of Earl's Seat.
Now descend the way you came with a divergence to climb Dumgoyne by its steep NE slopes.
From the summit follow the footpath S then W to the forest edge above Blairgar.
Return to the start by your outward route.




Map for Earl's Seat and the Campsie Fells

Map for Earl's Seat

and the Campsie Fells





Location Map for Earl's Seat and the Campsie Fells

Location Map for Earl's Seat

and the Campsie Fells

Earl's Seat Gallery Photo Gallery :: Dumgoyne & Campsie Fells Photo Gallery

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Guide Books & Maps - Scotland:-


West Highland Way: Footprint MapWest Highland Way - Map West Highland Way - Map Western Scotland & the Western Isles OS Road Map Northern Scotland OS Road MapSouthern Scotland OS Road Map Glasgow Popular Hills - Map





  

Ochils and Campsie Fells

Glasgow Visitor Guide - Colin Baxter Itchy Insider's Guide to Glasgow Glasgow Footprint Pocket Guide Glasgow Insight Pocket Guide Glasgow Guide Pub Companion Glasgow Scotland's Highlands & Islands - Rough Guide Scotland - Rough Guide

Glasgow Insight Pocket GuideCollins Street Map of GlasgowGlasgow: Then & NowThey belonged to Glasgow Phillips Street Atlas of Glasgow & West Central Scotland Glasgow: The Photographic Atlas100 Hillwalks around Glasgow 50 Walks in Glasgow & SW Scotland

Visit Scotland - Touring Guide Scotland: Where to Stay - Hotels & Guest Houses Scotland: Where to Stay - Bed & Breakfast Rough Guide ScotlandScottish Highlands & Islands - Rough Guide Scotland - Lonely PlanetScotland's Highlands & Islands - Lonley Planet Great Glasgow StoriesGlasgow & Surroundings - Insight Guide

West Highland Way: Official GuideWest Highland Way: Rucksac ReadersWest Highland Way: Trailblazer The West Highland WayWest Highland Way: Footprint MapWest Highland Way - Map West Highland Way - Map West Highland Way Wet Highland Way - Official Guide

Munro Almanac The High Mountains of Britain and Ireland The Munros: Scottish Mountaineering Club The Isle of Skye The Isle of Arran Wilderness Walks Ski Mountaineering in Scotland

More Wilderness Walks 50 Best Routes on Skye and Raasay Skye - W.A.PoucherMagic of the Munros Mountaineering in Scotland and Undiscovered Scotland by W.H.Murray A Long Walk on the Isle of Skye

Classic Climbs - Central & Southern Highlands The Isle of Arran Lonely Planet, Walking in ScotlandPathfinder Guide: Skye and NW Highlands WalksPathfinder Guide: Fort William and Glen Coe Walks Rambler's Guide: Ben Nevis and Glen Coe50 Best Routes on Skye and Raasay - Chris Townsend










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