Over The Hill

We are no strangers to the eastern tops of the Campsie Fells; Earl’s Seat, Dumgoyne and Dumfoyn are all great walks, especially on a fine day. However, I personally had never approached these tops from the north, starting out from the rather beautiful village of Killearn. So, I was very interested in re-visiting these hills but from a different approach and outlook.

Parking in the north of the village, the walk through the village is interesting in itself, with a grand War Memorial, beautiful church and an even older church ruin, all passed enroute to the rather plush stone pillared entrance to Kirkhouse Wood with it’s myriad of paths sprouting in all direction through the wood. Taking the most prominent and direct line through the wood it is only a short walk until you merge onto the broader “pipeline” track, which runs near to, or parallel with the Loch Katrine to Mugdock Reservoir pipeline, verified just a short distance along the track by the stone structure of an access and inspection shaft, from which you can clearly hear the flow of water below.

In just less than a kilometre we left the “pipeline” track for a good hill path which climbs in a generally easterly direction up the easy slopes of the broad grassy ridge which could loosely be described as the north ridge of Dumgoyne, which, once gained, at about the 250m height, is then a steady ascent towards the distance, but very distinct Dumgoyne, directly ahead. Along the way, we diverted a few metres to a fine spot on the upper reaches of the Machar Burn where a leisurely morning break was taken.

On the move again, we continued the steady climb until we reached the bealach between Canny Face and Dumgoyne, and swinging left, to bypass Dumgoyne, we continue our steady climb towards the minor top of Garloch Hill marked by a smallish cairn on the grassy top. At this point, I remained on Garloch Hill and observed the others as they wandered off across the grassy hillside and ascended towards the prominent knoll on Ballagan Tops, where they seemed to hover around before disappearing in the dip towards Earl’s Seat.

By the time everyone was on the return leg, retracing our outward steps, it was very much a “take your pick” as to the pace. I suspect it was down to how anxious you were that you may miss the scheduled coffee and cakes (especially the cakes) in Town & Country Café.

Great walk, thanks David, really enjoyed this route and approach.