The rolling grassy hills of the Ochils are always a joy to walk, and today we returned to the prominent highpoint of Dumyat, the first major top on the western edge of the Ochils and offering a choice of approach the option of which we choose for today being from Menstrie, the shortest ascent, but also the steepest.

In fine walking conditions we climbed up the narrow, steep track from Menstrie, climbing above the Menstrie Burn and onto the open hillside beyond Dumyat Farm where the gorse and bracken give way to the grassy hillside and the gradient eases a little. At a steady pace it is not long before the final steep section is completed and the summit cairn and beacon are reached. The shortest route has it’s advantages, and the views over the Forth valley are well worth the effort, time to relax, enjoy the day and survey the three structures that mark this often busy summit. There is the Trig Point itself, marking this 418m top as surveyed by Ordnance Survey, the monument to The Argyl and Sutherland Highlanders whose Headquarters are within Stirling Castle but just a short distance from this summit, and thirdly, the Jubilee Beacon, erected in celebration of the Queen Elizabeth’s Silver Jubilee and 1977; quite a collection for any summit.

We departed the summit on the grassy track heading north and descending to the Lossburn Reservoir barely 2 kilometres away where we decided to settle alongside it’s banks and take a prolonged break and some lunch, the weather staying kind to us with blue skies and only a slight breeze. Beyond the Lossburn Reservoir we joined a section of the Jerah Trail up to the remains of the 17th century Jerah farmstead before crossing over the head of Menstrie Glen at Red Brae and following the forest track high above the burn flowing through the glen below. It is possible to stay on this main track as it turns west then south all the way back into Menstrie. However, by heading directly south and diverting onto a minor track to skirt east of the 261m top the walk can be completed with one of the finest views of the day as the path eventually turn west and The Kips and Dumyat come into view with a backdrop of the Wallace Monument and Stirling Castle, a fine spectacle to end a fine day in the Ochils.

Thanks David, and all for your company.