We had considered doing a linear traverse of the entire Ochil range, which had its attraction but would require two cars and therefore a degree of co-ordination. So we opted for the hills as two singles. Arriving down in Alva on Saturday afternoon we pitched up at The Woods caravan site - the first time we've visited it in summer.
I had swithered about doing Blairdenon from the Sherrifmuir road, which would be a shorter out-and-back, but in the end opted for the circuit from Alva Glen. We drove to the parking spot in the Glen and set out - the weather looking surprisingly good for a Completion Day. Following the Alva Burn we gained the open hillside under the Torrys and ascended the steep path to the summit. The weather was extremely changeable - hot and sweaty where sheltered but an icy wind that cut right through you when exposed. Add in frequent short bursts of rain for good measure. We journeyed along the hilltop towards Bengengie with its craggy top then over some boggier ground on the Menstrie Moss. Although I'd come a different route i remembered the unassuming summit of Blairdenon was not much further from here - cross a fence and there it is - one more to go now.
Warnings at the start of the Alva glen route
P1160129 by Al, on Flickr
P1160130 by Al, on Flickr
P1160131 by Al, on Flickr
P1160132 by Al, on Flickrlooking back towards Alva
P1160133 by Al, on FlickrSteep going up to the Torrys
P1160134 by Al, on FlickrBengengie
P1160136 by Al, on FlickrBlairdenon
P1160137 by Al, on Flickr88 down, 1 to go
P1160139 by Al, on FlickrWe followed the path from the summit but saw it was heading around the hillside, probably making for Craighorn. I chose a more direct descent route down by the West Cameron Burn, unsettling a number of sheep on the way. We paused when we reached the track for some lunch, having found a semi-sheltered spot to hide from that wicked west wind that had pursued us all weekend. Following the track back under the Nebit we arrived back at the car in around 4 hours.
Down here
P1160140 by Al, on FlickrView back to Bengengie
P1160141 by Al, on FlickrKeeping our kit on we drove around to Glendevon and parked by the old church. Last time I was here it was thick snow - I used my snowshoes - so I hadn't been aware of any paths. I thought we'd just take the same route as I used - a steep climb up Glenquey Hill through scrub and young trees (although in hindsight there was a clear path to follow on the eastern side of the hill
) Anyway we puffed up the hillside til we reached the waymarker at the top then followed a path beside the forestry which led to the summit of Innerdownie. 
P1160143 by Al, on Flickr
P1160144 by Al, on Flickr
P1160145 by Al, on Flickr
P1160148 by Al, on FlickrCelebrations followed - Onion Bhajis, Brinjal Pickle and a nice islay malt
We sat for a bit, sheltering behind an old wall near the summit then headed down, following the path this time. Allison delighted that she's got her Donalds bagged - now it's just those pesky Munro Tops that elude her...
P1160149 by Al, on Flickr
P1160150 by Al, on Flickr
Was a bit of a surprise to discover a really good path that could have been taken from the start in order to ease the climb up 
