Tom na h-Airidh, Helensburgh

Climb through oak woodland and forestry plantation to reach the summit of Tom na h-Airidh for fine views over Gare Loch, the Firth of Clyde, Bute and Arran and the Arrochar Alps.

Terrain

Woodland and moorland paths can be very muddy.

Public Transport

Bus and train to Helensburgh

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Start

The Hill House, Helensburgh. Map and directions.

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Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 7.25km/4.5 miles
Time: 1.5 hours
Ascent: 200m (Profile)
Grid Ref: NS299837

Maps / GPS

View / Print route map
Buy Explorer 347 - Loch Lomond South
GPS Waypoints - QUO 2
GPS Waypoints - GPX
View in 3D
Download walk to Google Earth (KMZ file)

Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

The Hill House, designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and managed by the National Trust for Scotland, is situated high up on one of Helensburgh's leafy streets, Upper Colquhoun Street. It is signed from the centre of town, take the B832 Sinclair Street and turn along Kennedy Drive. There is a dedicated car park for the Hill House but if you are not visiting the property there is usually on street parking nearby. Note that the car park is closed in the evenings and during the winter. Start the walk by heading up through the car park and bearing left onto a path signed Rhu Marina.

Stage 2

Follow the path as it meanders through birches and oaks, crossing a couple of burns on bridges and then more open ground with gorse before heading through a kissing gate and continuing ahead. At the next path junction keep straight ahead following the sign for Rhu Marina. Cross a burn and head uphill keeping to the main path to reach a wider track known as the Highlandman's Road. Cross this and continue on the smaller path opposite signed for Tom na h-Airidh.

Stage 3

The path follows the left hand side of a stone wall and can be very muddy in places. Keep following the main path which bears slightly left through more open wood - the smaller path on the right which heads towards the wall is the return route. When the path reaches a forestry track turn right and follow this uphill, soon bending left at a turning area and narrowing to a smaller path running along a fire break, boggy in places underfoot. Where it reaches another path turn right soon reaching a stone wall with great views down to the Firth of Clyde.

Stage 4

Turn left to follow the path alongside the wall uphill at the edge of the forestry plantation. When the open ground is reached follow the path heading north west (slightly left) through the heather, keeping the fence on your right, to reach the summit of Tom na h-Airidh. From here there are stunning views in all directions. On a clear day the peaks of Arran can be made out and the settlements on the Firth of Clyde and Gare Loch. Turning inland the Fruin Hills are backed by the Arrochar Alps.

Stage 5

To return head back to the top of the stone wall and follow the path down the right hand side of the wall. The route crosses another wall to continue ahead on a very muddy section. When the route becomes impassable next to the wall because of branches the path bears right and then runs alongside a burn in a deep cleft for a short while before returning left towards the wall. When the outward path is reached turn left onto it and retrace your steps to cross the Highlandman's Road and later turning left following the signs to the Hill House to return to the start.

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Route Profile

Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is each walkers' responsibility to check it and navigate using a map and compass.