Stronend is the highest point in the Fintry hills and sits above an impressive volcanic escarpment; it boasts views north across to Loch Lomond, Conic Hill and Ben Lomond and east and south towards the Forth Valley and the Campsie Fells, that is, on a clear day, which was not to be today, as right from the moment we left Fintry Rugby Club and started up the estate track towards Culcreuch Castle the escarpment ahead was covered in mist and low cloud. It was however, dry at the moment and the walking was on a fine track as we passed the castle and headed uphill at a very steady pace and ascent to the open hillside above Galbraith Wood.

As we gained height, Loch Lomond was just visible through a murky haze and the crags ahead still shrouded in mist. The track was easy going as it morphed from a broad stoney track, to rough single track and eventually to an indistinct trod across the grassy hillside, but all the while taking a very gently rising ascent towards the high point in the crags some distance away. A short break below the crags and then we were ready for the only real climb of the day, a short but relatively steep ascent up through a narrow gap in the crags to the open grasslands just west of the cairn and Trig Point marking the 511m summit of Stronend.

The short climb had taken us up into the mist and drizzle such that visibility had suddenly dropped considerably, the wind had picked up and any thoughts of fine views over Loch Lomond were a distant dream, however, we did take a very short break at the summit cairn before setting off on the long traverse of the upper escarpment. With visibility deteriorating and a fairly strong wind now blowing heavy rain across the hillside we resorted to a long single file for almost the entire transit of the escarpment, with nothing to view except the rucksack of the person in front and our foot fall in ever more watery ground. It was with some relief that as we reached the end of the escarpment at Cammal Burn the rain, mist and wind finally abated and the day became a more favourable day for walking the hills.

A curving descent was made off the escarpment through a mixture of rough grass, gorse and bracken to join the footpath near Low Bridge for a very pleasant return along the trees above the upper reaches of Endrick Water to Fintry.

This was an excellent route and a fine walk and one to return to on a fine weather day when it can be taken and seen at it’s best. Thanks Jack, enjoyed it immensely despite the weather.