Innerdownie off the core path

[jgregor]

We arrived at the Glen Sherup car park, just off the A823, at around 9.30 in the morning. The day was overcast and the air chilly, and this became the first walk of the year where a jumper was donned even before setting off. A reminder that, though summer still holds sway, autumn is on it's way and will be here in a bit over a week. We set off west on a path just to the south of the River Devon and the main road just the other side of it.

River Devon, just west of Glen Sherup car park

Continuing alongside the river at the base of Teth Hill we passed along the edge of a well mown grassy area. Not sure what this is for, but definitely not camping, as the signs at either end made clear. At the far side of this we picked up a short track which crossed a tributary of the river and joined up with another track at a T-junction.

Nature reclaiming an old bogey

Turning left here, we continued alongside the river.

Not the 'core' path, as we were soon to learn

At the end of this track, just before it joined the main road we passed a house called The Lodge, meaning the other end of the track, further in the direction we'd just come, lies Glendevon House. Here we encountered the sentry on duty, the minion-in-chief reporting directly to the august laird of the above-mentioned gothic pile. Either that or Molly Weasley. This redoubtable lady proceeded to inform us that we were not on the "core path" (whatever that meant) and that we should in fact be walking along the main road instead (the hardcore path, as it were). We duly doffed our caps, tugged our forelocks and, passing under an imposing stone arch, continued to wend our way regardless, safe in the knowledge that we were keeping to our side of the right to roam bargain.

Looking back at the arch, Lodge and the forbidden road. Behind The Lodge is Gallows Knowe - an indication of what used to happen to those who strayed off the 'core' path?

Through a gate, we continued unchallenged in a south-easterly direction, still with the River Devon to our left. Rounding the north-eastern corner of Glenquey Hill we came to a cross-roads.

All roads lead to reservoirs

We continued on the path towards Glenquey Reservoir for a mile or so, passing a farm and a field of sheep.

A more friendly local

A series of walls

The dam of Glenquey Reservoir - imagine mowing that

Having reached the Reservoir, we left the main path and finally started the climb up the flank of Innerdownie.
Initially, the path ascended past bushes and small trees...

Heading west and up

...and then through scrubby grassland.

Near the top, looking back over Glenquey Reservoir. Further out on the left is Loch Leven, and North Berwick law can just be made out in the far distance

Reaching the summit, we had fine views in all directions despite the blanket of cloud overhead.

Innerdownie summit cairn

From here we could see the Tay Bridge and the Queensferry Crossing, the Lomonds, North Berwick Law, the Pentlands and Ben Cleuch, among many others.

Looking south-west into the Ochils, with Ben Cleuch, the highest point, the middle of the three hills on the right

Looking south to the Forth and the Pentland Hills beyond

Setting off again, we headed north-east down the ridge.

The way down

Following the path down, we soon came to a plantation of pines separated from us by a high deer fence. Mindful that we were aiming for a path heading north-west though the trees, we took the opportunity to cross the fence afforded by a style/ladder. This turned out to be a mistake, as our way down was soon blocked by the dense tree growth right up to the fence. After an aborted attempt to find a way through the branches we admitted defeat, and scaled the fence again at a spot where a tree had partly crushed it. Back on the path, we continued down the ridge.

A tree has escaped!

Further down we reached the path cutting through the trees. And lo! There was a gate. Of course there was.

A gate, by means of which we were able to follow the path to the other side of the fence (rather than having to to, say, climb over it and get stuck like we did)

A small clearing by the side of the track

Many toadstools

At the bottom of the track we emerged onto another, brighter track at a small cairn. Turning left here we followed the new track along Lamb Hill.

Emerging from the trees, we proceeded around Black Hill.

Glensherup Reservoir

And back into the trees for the final stretch back to the car park.

I appear to be falling behind

A troop of tiny mushrooms by the side of the track

Glensherup Burn, by the car park