Sidlaws: Craigowl and Auchterhouse hill

Summary

The Sidlaws have long been a favourite stomping ground for Dundonians, with the masts on the summit of Craigowl being a prominent landmark for miles around. This hillwalk takes in the three main summits for superb views towards the city and Tay as well as across Strathmore to the Angus Glens.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Paths on mostly heathery hills.

Public Transport

None to start; nearest bus is 139 to Tealing from Dundee.

Start

Balkello community woodland car park. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 7.5km / 4.75 miles
Time: 2.5 - 3 hours
Ascent: 333m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NO364385

Summits Climbed

Sub 2000: Craigowl Hill

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (15)

Stage 1

Park at Balkello Community Woodland car park off the road between Tealing and Auchterhouse. The walk begins from the far left corner of the car park, through the gate on the gravel path past the information board and map; at the fork take the main right branch. At the next fork keep left, soon passing through a gap in a drystone wall. Bear then left at a fork then cotninue to reach and pass through a pedestrian gate. Turn left here alongside the dyrstone wall, then a short ditance further on turn right on a path climbing across the slope past gorse bushes.

Stage 2

When a small metal gate is reached do not pass through it, instead taking the path on the left. This winds uphill amongst the heather, curving left, then back right to reach a junction. Turn left here for the the steady climb to Auchterhouse Hill. There are great views back towards Dundee.

Stage 3

The summit area is crowned by larch trees and was once the site of an iron age hill fort. The views are good, with the monument on Kinpurney Hill visible as well as the next objectives - Balluderon and Craigowl Hills. Retrace your steps to the path junction, and turn left to follow a path through the heather that soon joins a fence line down to the gap between Auchterhouse Hill and Balkello Hill, where a pedestrian gate leads through the fence.

Stage 4

From here take the broad path which climbs up to the right, soon reaching the top of Balkello Hill. A stone cairn with a view indicator commemorates Sydney Scroggie. A native of Dundee, Scroggie lost both his sight and the lower half of his right leg in the Second World War, but recovered to return to the hills guided by friends, experiences he wrote poetry about. He attended the unveiling of this cairn in 2000 aged 80, and passed away in 2006.

Stage 5

Leave the main track for a path on the left, which heads northeast to reach a fence and then runs alongside it to the dip between Balluderon Hill and Craigowl. Head through a small gate and follow the path as it continues by the fence up to the complex of masts which mar the summit of Craigowl, highest of the Sidlaws.

Stage 6

A stile leads to the grass to the right of the masts, with superb views over Dundee and into Fife. The highest point - marked by a triangulation pillar - is just over a old fence between the two main enclosures of masts.

Stage 7

The base of Balluderon Hill can be very badly churned up by cattle, so it is best to retrace your steps back to the col between Craigowl and Balkello Hill. Once through the gate turn left on a path through the heather. This eventually meets the main path coming down from Balkello Hill; turn left and join this. It later leads through tunnels of whin and gorse. At a grassy junction go straight ahead towards the pylon. The path passes beneath the pylons; keep slightly right at one fork then left uphill at a second. Bear right onto a grassy track then left to return to the start.

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