Dundurn is a small but steep isolated rocky knoll, the site of a Pictish fort as well as the cell of Saint Fillan. It offers fine views and provides an interesting place to explore from the village to which Fillan gave his name.
Summary
Easy lanes lead to the foot of Dundurn but the final field is extremely boggy. The ascent itself has only a very faint path and is steep and rugged.
Terrain
Layby near Four Seasons Hotel, St Fillans
[Map of start point, satnav coords and directions]
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1. This walk begins from the Drummond Hotel in St Fillans; there is no public parking here so it is best to leave the car in one of the laybys towards the west end of the village. Cross the footbridge opposite the hotel. The walk turns left on the far side but before doing so it is worth detouring to the war memorial to the right for the fine views of Loch Earn. Return and follow the path to a minor road, turning left along it until it reaches a weir in the river, part of the St Fillans hydro-power scheme.
2. Just beyond the weir a fisherman's path slopes down to the riverside and gives the opportunity to avoid a section of the minor road, though it eventually rejoins before a house. When the road swings left over a stone bridge, turn sharp right onto the lane leading across the golf course. Look out for flying balls and give way to any golfers hitting their drives across the track. The rocky knoll of Dundurn is in clear view across the course slightly to the left.
3. When the track reaches a junction with a house further ahead, turn left through the gate onto another track heading more directly towards Dundurn. After a short distance a burial ground and ruin can be seen just to the right - it can be visited by going through a gate into the field and then there is a gate in the wall of the burial ground on the far side. This is the scant remains of St Fillan's chapel - the ruins date back to the 1300s. Continue along the track towards the tall plantation of conifers that hides the sewage works. At the far end of the sewage works the main lane turns right to enter them. There are two gates directly ahead - go through the right-hand one to gain access to the field in front of Dundurn, which is now close ahead.
4. This field can be very muddy, and there is an often impassable stream flowing across the centre of it. Usually you keep right and and cross the stream on stepping stones towards the right hand wall before heading directly towards Dundurn. After wet weather it may be better to follow the left edge of the field right round to the eastern end where there is a bridge over the stream. Either way, the small gate giving access to Dundurn is reached by following the enclosing fence to the right. Once through this gate follow the fence to the left before a faint path begins to climb round the slopes. The path climbs steeply on grass at one point between two slopes of scree. On the far side of the hill there are good views down Strathearn.
5. The path fades out high on this side of the hill but the flat little summit can be reached on steep grass. It offers grand views of the valley all around. The stone towards the west end of the summit is known as St Fillan's seat, but there are no visible remains of the Pictish Fort which once stood here. Dundurn has sheer rocks on most sides so the best way down is to return the way you came and negotiate your way back through the boggy field.
6. Follow the track back towards St Fillans. Once back at the minor road, you could either return along it and back across the pedestrian bridge, or instead cross the road bridge and follow the pavement back past some attractive cottages.
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