West Lomond and the Bunnet Stane

[jgregor]

Parked at the car park for the Bunnet Stane (really a wide bit of the road good for around 5 cars). We started up the track alongside a tattie field, West Lomond looming out of the gloom before us.

West Lomond - looks a bit grey up there

We followed the track through a sheep field...

This gorse bush seems to be a lambs' playground

...and into another containing the Bunnet Stane and Maiden Bore cave. We took some time to explore on and around it before heading on.

The Bunnet Stane

Looking out from the Maiden Bore cave

Turning right onto the main path we started up the southern side of West Lomond above the plateau. The rain was off by now and things looking brighter.

The path continued south-east, getting steeper, and with the rain coming on.

Then continued climbing in a roughly easterly direction until we emerged on a plateau to the north of the higher part of the hill. We continued along south-east for a few hundred meters until we reached the main path coming up from Craigmead on the other side. It still looked overcast towards East Lomond, but was considerably brighter to the north.

Looking back down to the Bunnet Stane

That's the rain on

Turning right onto the main path we started up the southern side of West Lomond above the plateau. The rain was off by now and things looking brighter.

View of Loch Leven from near the top

This path circled round until it approached the summit from the west.

Nearly there...

The grey clouds had moved on and we had fine views from the top in every direction.

View north from the cairn

Glimpse of the Tay to the north-east

East Lomond, and Ballo and Harperleas reservoirs

After a rest we headed down to the south-west, crossing a large style over a wall and fence. There's a rusty wire running across the style about 6 inches above the top and well camouflaged against the wood. I nearly came a cropper tripping on it. Worth watching out for.

We followed paths through the heather in a generally southern direction until meeting the made path coming up from Harperleas reservoir.

We turned right onto this path and followed it north-west past John Knox's Pulpit and along Glen Vale.

John Knox's Pulpit - guess he took preaching to the flock literally

The path ahead

After a couple of miles the path wound though a short patch of woodland before emerging onto the road.

From here it was a mile and a bit back to the car.

Last view of West Lomond before heading off

A nice easy hike before heading down to Borders Corbett country next week.