East Lomond, Pub/West Lomond, Bishop Hill

[RTMcB]

or "A day of two halves"

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First up was the East Lomond circuit exactly as described on WH. This route was chosen for the morning session as I would be taking my work colleagues plus girlfriends, all with varying levels of fitness. Didn't want anything too mental plus the return through Mapsie Den is gorgeous. Not too much to add to the WH report for the East Lomond circuit, except that the slog coming up the staircase in the Douk Plantation, as you exit Falkland, will destroy the less fit. Great views to the southern Cairngorms, still some snow up there, Bass Rock, Arthur's Seat, Schiehallion, Ben Lawers all visibile

I would now like to apologise to the wifey who I caught in a slightly embarrassing situation at the car park for West Lomond. However, if you are going to answer a call of nature on a main path 10 m from a public car park then these things will happen. Still, I turned my party around so you were spared further onlookers. Mind you, shouldn't those public toilets be unlocked by now? Come on it's April. Time for this circuit came in at about 4 hrs.

East Lomond from public car park in Falkland

Start of the ascent, adjacent to a...

...bag factory?

Bass Rock and North Berwick Law

Falkland; those narrow streets wouldn't be out of place in Cornwall!

West Lomond (right) and Bishop Hill (middle)

Obligatory Summit pic

A hearty burger at the Stag Inn satisfied my hunger and after saying goodbye to my chums, I drove to the car park for West Lomond. I followed the outward path as described for the West Lomond Circuit http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/fife-stirling/west-lomond.shtml except I headed straight up to the summit. I didn't hang around long as I wanted to spot a decent route to Bishop Hill.

West Lomond summit from the south

Bishop Hill from West Lomond

Descended directly SSW from West Lomond making a bee-line for Bishop Hill. No real path, quite steep, but decent heather/grass so good footing. Plenty of stalkers paths zig-zaging down the hill. Halfway down West Lomond I spied a well-worn path through the brown heather heading straight for Bishop Hill. Just before the heather there's a bit of a steep bit on gravely earth but no real problems. Once on the path through the heather the going was good, plenty of fresh MTB trails in the mud. Out of the heather I reached the bealach the views to the west opening up through Glen Vale. Made my way through a red gate and joined a decent landrover track. Crossed a stone wall and headed SW. Eventually found the summit after many ups and downs. Decent cairn with fine views to the west - Ben Lomond, Stuc a'Chroin and Ben Vorlich were now visible. Time for one picture of me alone on top of Bishop Hill before beginning the trek back to the car. I felt pretty good at this point. Good enough to indulge in some light jogging down the hill. I only jog when people can't see me Now I was enjoying the great path and the fact that I was able to jog without feeling like I was about to vomit. However, my joy caused me to miss the turn north at NO202055, I ended up following the Lothrie Burn. Only realised my mistake when the path went over a fence and into the woods adjacent to Harperleas Reservoir, doh Only option was to carry on through, what I can only describe as marsh. I soon made it to the proper path, making good progress past the ruins at NO216057. Caught a glimpse of a couple of lambs next to the fence, my thoughts naturally turned to what's for dinner Back at the car before I knew it. Time for this circuit was about 2 hrs 40 mins.

View back up West Lomond

Visible path through brown heather heading toward Bishop Hill

Decent track to Bishop Hill

same track looking north toward West Lomond

Red gate looking back to West Lomond, top of Glen Vale

Heading SSW for Bishop Hill

Good track next to stone wall heading WSW

Loch Leven

Summit cairn with massive golfball in background

Ben Lomond, Stuc a'Chroin and Ben Vorlich (Loch Earn)

Bass Rock perfectly framed through the hills

Dinner! only joking...

[luckyguy68]

Thas a fair amount of walking. Some of the unfitties will be sore in the morning I done bishop hill to west lomond and back last week, Ouch!!

[SMRussell]

"Great" to see what I missed out on being stuck-up here in Aberdeenshire finishing the thesis - not at all jealous and restless - although I'm happy to have not suffered the experience of witnessing a woman widdling in plain sight

Good detail, some lovely photos and a splendid first report (I'm not at all biased ). Sounds like a grand day out in the wee hills (see what I did there)

P.S I have seen you jog young man or do I not count?

[EwaMH]

Nice timing with this report..these guys keep grabbing my attention at the moment and I fancy them sometime soon so it's nice to get a wee look at them! Not sure the start beside a factory does much for me tho Sounds like you had a good days walk/jog!

[Sarah86]

Great circuit, I have only ever done the lomond hill individually and really enjoyed the walk to West Lomond. Makes it all the better with the good weather you had.

[RTMcB]

If I were to repeat this walk, I would park at the public car park between the Lomonds, do Bishop Hill first, then West Lomond, continue to East Lomond, down into Falkland for some pub grub/booze, then back to car through Mapsie Den! Would benefit from an early start, that car park gets really busy at a weekend

[nathan79]

Always like to see my local hills being trodden on.

There's an alternative start point down low between Falkland and Strathmiglo by a wee organic farm and cafe called the Pillars of Hercules. You get a wee walk through woods and by some farmland before it links up with the path along Maspie burn and up pass Maspie Den to the car park between East and West Lomond. I use this route in winter when the road up's not driveable.

[Jockstar]

Great report with a lot of detail with the weather to match. Good to hear of great comments on a walk that has great views and plenty of interest. You could start your walk by going up Bishops Hill and doing the circular
walk before dropping into the Well Inn at Scotlandwell food food and a beer.

[bar72]

as i live in Falkland, i regularly do both east / west circuits by leaving Falkland to head up the East Lomond, then from the top of the East, head over to Craigmead car park and continue up the top of the West Lomond. Returning by reverse route leaves me feeling thirsty where i go into the village for a much needed beer or two. great day out for tourists and hillwalkers alike ;