Sidlaws: Craigowl and Auchterhouse hill

The Sidlaws have long been a favourite stomping ground for Dundonians, with the masts on the summit of Craigowl being a prominent landmark for miles around. This hillwalk takes in the three main summits for superb views towards the city and Tay as well as across Strathmore to the Angus Glens.

Terrain

Paths on mostly heathery hills.

Public Transport

None to start; nearest bus is 139 to Tealing from Dundee

Users' reports

Read reports by: mountainboy12 macq23 malky_c CF Trust
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Start

Balkello community woodland car park. Map and directions.

Currently 3.50/5

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 7.5km/4.5 miles
Time: 2.5 - 3 hours
Ascent: 333m (Profile)
Grid Ref: NO364385

Summits Climbed

Sub 2000: Craigowl Hill

Maps / GPS

Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

Park at Balkello Community Woodland car park off the road between Tealing and Auchterhouse. The walk begins from the far left corner of the car park, through the gate on the gravel path past the information board and map. At the end of the gravelled section keep straight ahead on the sometimes muddy track, passing through a gap in a drystone wall. Bear right at the next fork then left at a fork by an old gatepost, heading along under the electricity pylons. Fork right to reach a stile at the corner of the drystone walls. Head uphill a few paces before turning right on a path climbing across the slope past gorse bushes.

Stage 2

When a small metal gate is reached do not pass through it, instead taking the path on the left. This winds uphill amongst the heather, swinging right then back left on the steady climb to Auchterhouse Hill. The summit area is crowned by larch trees and was once the site of an iron age hill fort. The views are good, with the monument on Kinpurney Hill visible as well as the next objectives - Balluderon and Craigowl Hills.

Stage 3

Retrace your steps until where the main path swings sharply right - leave it here, instead following a narrow path through the heather down to the gap between Auchterhouse Hill and Balluderon Hill, where a pedestrian gate leads through the fence. From here take the broad path which climbs up to the right, soon reaching the top of Baluderon Hill. A stone cairn with a view indicator commemorates Sydney Scroggie. A native of Dundee, Scroggie lost both his sight and the lower half of his right leg in the Second World War, but recovered to return to the hills guided by friends, experiences he about which he wrote poems. He attended the unveiling of this cairn in 2000 aged 80, and passed away in 2006.

Stage 4

Leave the main track for a path on the left, which heads northeast to reach a fence and then runs alongside it to the dip between Balluderon Hill and Craigowl. Head through a small gate and follow the path as it continues by the fence up to the complex of masts which mar the summit of Craigowl, highest of the Sidlaws. A stile leads to the grass to the right of the masts, with superb views over Dundee and into Fife. The highest point - marked by a triangulation pillar - is just over a old fence between the two main enclosures of masts.

Stage 5

Return to the stile and then follow a path which bears left, descending across the slopes to the WSW. The path is indistinct in places; once down to lower ground, follow traces of a muddy track to the left. Look out for a stile over a fence over to the right and head for this, crossing to gain a good track. Turn left along this, soon swinging sharply right. At a grassy junction go straight ahead towards the pylon. The path passes beneath the pylons; keep slightly right at one fork then left uphill at a second. Bear right onto a grassy track then left to return to the start.

Photos: Graeme D

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