free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
Another long weekend using up holidays and with good visibility promised there was only one thing for it, finish what was started in September last year when we went to climb Earl's Seat but only managed Dumgoyne due to the weather. At least we met a
hillwalking cat which still made the short hike worthwhile!
As I had to drop Y off in the morning I planned to stop off at the Roll Shop and again couldn't get parked anywhere so went to the good backup plan from Beinn Eich and stopped off in the west end for a roll, square sausage and tattie scone, ensuring a warm and hearty breakfast ahead of what would be a chilly hike.
Fuelled up it was a quick half hour drive north to park in the big lay-by next to Dumgoyne Distillery, luckily with it being Friday and most people still working there were only a few cars in it. Good luck getting a space here at the weekend!
A group of 4 retirees with a collie were just setting off and i'd encounter them again several times. My bag was pretty much packed the night before and also now a handy DSLR hiking bag due to using a padded insert in it, sideways, so that I can easily access it through the side zip of the main compartment, a DIY option that worked an absolute treat I have to sayespecially when combined with lens pouches and a few dry bags in the event of rain.
Conditions were dry and clear, some clouds in the sky and it was actually very warm, like a spring morning. Not long into the walk the sky would be covered and the sun blocked but at least the rain would stay off as per the forecast.
I knew it would be icy and frozen during the walk but still stuck my gaiters on, handy when encountering snow drifts plus the frozen bogs can always unfreeze during the day!
To the north the tops of the bigger Loch Lomond hills were very snow covered and the view of them would only get better as the walk went on, another reason I chose this hill for today, less time faffing about climbing a snowy Munro and more time strolling around a brilliant viewpoint taking photos of the mountains, landscape and civilisation all around me.
Setting off, excitement building...
DSC_7529 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
I follow the road/track up the hill and throught the trees:
DSC_7532 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Clever girl...
DSC_7537 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
After a few twists and turns you pass Blairgar:
DSC_7542 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Dumgoyne up ahead, cross the field and head towards it:
DSC_7546 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
As you cross the field Auchineden Hill of Whangie fame looks good behind to the west:
DSC_7557 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
I spot the group of retirees who are already near the top of the steep path bypassing Dumgoyne and heading towards Earl's Seat:
DSC_7566 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
I climb the fence, hop over burn and Dumgoyne confronts me, except instead of a direct ascent like last time I opt to go for the Earl first then cliimb Dunfoyn and Dumgoyne on the return:
DSC_7572 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
It's fairly steep but not half as bad as Dumgoyne's direct ascent:
DSC_7590 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Duncolm now visible behind me, i'm looking forward to exploring the Kilpatrick Hills sometime soon...
DSC_7604 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Atop the steep bit the path levels out and points towards Garloch Hill, Canny Tops and Clachertyfarlie Knowes, with the boggy sections of the path well frozen over and a little slippy so care must be taken:
DSC_7613 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
To the north on my left hand side Loch Lomond and the southern highlands vie for my attention:
DSC_7627 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Trossachs and Strathyre Hills to the north east:
DSC_7630 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
I make good progress along the path towards the Canny Face and Tops:
DSC_7638 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Dumgoyne's east face behind me, looking very much like an Octopus:
DSC_7669 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Atop Canny Tops I stop for some photos, first the Slacks with Glasgow beyond:
DSC_7679 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Mugdock:
DSC_7685 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Dumgoyne and the path i'll be taking up it on the way back:
DSC_7686 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Walkers up ahead:
DSC_7687 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
The way ahead to Garloch Hill which i'll go up during the ascent and Clachertyfarlie Knowes on the right i'll summit on the descent:
DSC_7719 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
I walk along, dodging a few large frozen bog sections of path, doing a few off-balance arm waves on occasion it was that slippy. On my left the view north is now a cracker, from Loch Lomond to the Arrochar Alps to Ben Lomond:
DSC_7728 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Ben Lomond with Beinn Ime the pointy peak on the left and Ben Lui the poninty peak on the right:
DSC_7737 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
the ascent up Garloch Hill takes no time at all:
DSC_7746 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Behind me i'm now above Dumgoyne's summit and I can make out the snowy peaks of Arran to the west:
DSC_7756 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
I catch up to the retirees and their dog at Garloch Hill cairn and stop for a good blether with them and the dog (I speak good "dog"!
) which is nice. I say i'll no doubt bump into them again and continue on:
DSC_7769 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
The summit of Earl's Seat is now up ahead and my path towards it will take me to over ballagan Tops on the left then to the right for the final ascent:
DSC_7771 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
This section of the walk took a while as the photo opportunities to the north were immense and a stark contrast to the last attempt. Strathyre Munro's and Corbetts (Benvane, Ben Ledi, Lawers group beyond, Beinn Each, Stuc a'Chroin and Ben Vorlich) all looking brilliant from this angle:
DSC_7788 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
To the east and slightly north is Stronend and Stirlingshire:
DSC_7794 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Earl's Seat summit, getting there slowly...
DSC_7796 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
To the west I zoom in for a shot of my home Isle, with all 4 Arran Corbetts in view and snow covered, jagged ridges looking grand:
DSC_7797 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Across Stirlingshire to the north and slightly east I spot another very snow covered summit making Ben Chonzie stand out, possibly for the first time ever being a big round lump!
DSC_7847 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
As the path is about to take me further south, away from the southern highlands, it's time for a closer look, starting with Loch Lomond and Glen Luss:
DSC_7878 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Conic Hill:
DSC_7879 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Ben Arthur:
DSC_7885 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Arrochar Alps:
DSC_7891 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Ben Lomond:
DSC_7896 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Ben Lui:
DSC_7905 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Ben Venue in full glory with Crianlarich Munros behind it:
DSC_7920 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Double summit:
DSC_7926 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Stob Binnein and Ben More:
DSC_7927 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
A lot more snow on the big hills compared to the rest:
DSC_7928 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Ben Ledi:
DSC_7947 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Lawers group Munros behind Beinn Each:
DSC_7954 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
The big Strathyre hills from the best angle, looking grand:
DSC_7966 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Ben Chonzie again:
DSC_7971 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Loch Lomond:
DSC_7999 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
I press on towards Balagan Tops:
DSC_8018 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Summit edging ever closer...
DSC_8024 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Summit cairn and the view north east-ish:
DSC_8035 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Earl's Seat trig pillar up ahead:
DSC_8040 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
DSC_8083 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Made it, trig point and fence:
DSC_8095 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
I now have the view south to Glasgow to enjoy, with Culter Fell, Tinto and the Lowther Hills all visible on the skyline:
DSC_8103 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
The city centre with Cairn Table on the Horizon:
DSC_8106 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Galloway hills now distant:
DSC_8111 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
To the south west Ailsa Craig is in view:
DSC_8114 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Kilpatrick Hills and Arran to the west:
DSC_8121 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
North west to Loch Lomond and the route travelled so far:
DSC_8124 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
North east:
DSC_8125 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
The retirees arrive and I say hello as I continue enjoying the view all around me:
DSC_8135 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
"Civilisation"...
DSC_8198 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
The west end:
DSC_8213 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Ailsa Craig again:
DSC_8238 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Goatfell, Beinn Tarsuinn and Cir Mhor:
DSC_8252 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
The Loch Lomond Grahams, still plenty of them to explore for me:
DSC_8266 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
I take a good few more zoom shots all around me and as usual it's hard to take my eyes off the big ones, Stob Binnein and Ben More:
DSC_8297 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Ben Ledi again with Meall nan Tarmachan and it's brilliant ridge now visible behind it:
DSC_8308 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Tarmachan Ridge:
DSC_8310 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Loch Venachar and Beinn Each, a great wee Corbett that I climbed at the end of October:
DSC_8312 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Stuc a'Chroin and Ben Vorlich:
DSC_8319 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Meikle Bin summit:
DSC_8336 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
It was pretty chilly and breezy at the top, after a sandwich and drink, and with the sun getting lower in the sky and the retirees already retracing their steps I begin the descent, not back the way I came but straight towards Garloch Hill on a good straight path off the summit:
DSC_8359 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Quick progress is made as I view Glasgow again to the south:
DSC_8362 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Approaching Clachertyfarlie Knowes:
DSC_8365 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
A frozen bog with the big hills to the north:
DSC_8386 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
I soak in the 360 panorama all around me again from atop the Donald Dewey, now the final targets are ahead, Dumfoyn on the left and Dumgoyne on the right:
DSC_8462 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
I cross the steep sided start of a burn and head towards Dumfoyn:
DSC_8469 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Loch Lomond framed nicely between the hill sides on the way:
DSC_8480 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
With minimal time and effort I reach the flat top summit of Dumfoyn:
DSC_8491 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Glasgow:
DSC_8495 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Dumgoyne and the view north:
DSC_8501 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Possibly my favourite shot of the day:
DSC_8573 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Right then, now just a quick descent then very steep ascent of Dumgoyne left to do, at least it will be short:
DSC_8602 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
I approach the crag of Drumiekill Knowes and a large bird of prey suddenly takes off and flies off around the corner and then as I pass it on the right the sheep up ahead scarper on my approach and provide a comedy "will they won't they?" Lemmings moment....
DSC_8609 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Or maybe they have been practising their Lord of the Rings poses for tourists!
DSC_8611 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Chuckling at the animal antics I approach Dumgoyne and veer right to find the path:
DSC_8628 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
As I do, a flash of white startles me and a Mountain Hare runs off from seemingly almost under my feet!
DSC_8634 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Perhaps he was hiding from the raptor that just flew off, in fact I may have just saved his wee life as he's gone to winter camouflage a bit early... it skips up Dumgoyne and vanishes, leaving me cursing yet another animal encounter without the big lens attached, maybe I should just keep it on at all times!
DSC_8638 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
A quick scramble up the path and i'm at the summit standing stone of Dumgoyne, one of my favourites, enjoying the view over the Kilpatrick Hills:
DSC_8642 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
And of course this view of Loch Lomond which doesn't get old:
DSC_8660 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
The Slacks and Glasgow to the south:
DSC_8672 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Looking east at the walk done today although the summit of Earl's Seat is hidden:
DSC_8676 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Culter Fell and Tinto to the south:
DSC_8690 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Having taken
far too many photos than is probably healthy, I set off for the very steep descent of Dumgoyne:
DSC_8789 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Steeper...
DSC_8791 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Steepest:
DSC_8792 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Final stretch down to the burn and fence, across the field and back towards the Distillery:
DSC_8799 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Crossing the field:
DSC_8820 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Passing the lodge:
DSC_8827 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
DSC_8832 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Through the woods:
DSC_8833 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Auchineden ahead again and through the gate:
DSC_8839 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Back to boring low level again:
DSC_8840 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Done and done. Earl's Seat has now been explored and it's another belter, enjoying sumptuous views all around (not so great to the east though) and vying with Meikle Bin as best Campsie Fells viewpoint and grandstand seat for the southern highlands.
Looking back at Dumgoyne from the lay-by:
DSC_8845 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
I peeled off my socks and got changed and said cheerio to the retirees who all passed and finished the walk just after me. It was yet another very enjoyable day up the hills and i'm looking forward to exploring even more of the surrounding summits.