After a steep climb this route follows the edge of an escarpment of the Campsie Fells with great views to complete a horsehoe taking in the summit of Cort-ma Law.
Moorland paths boggy in places, careful navigation needed in poor conditions, short road section (optional).
Nearest bus Campsie Glen - follow path up to B822.
Car park on B822 (Crow Road) overlooking Campsie Glen (near Jamie Wright's Well) north of Lennoxtown.
The popular Crow Road car park is situated on a sharp bend on the B822 north of Lennoxtown, overlooking the Campsie Glen. From the car park cross the road and head up the clear path opposite to climb up through the rock bands forming the escarpment. Keep right when the path forks and pass a small building and keep heading for the higher ground keeping fairly close to the southern edge.
The Campsie Fells were a popular haunt of Scottish climber, broadcaster and author, Tom Weir, best known for 'Weir's Way' on TV. He was born in Glasgow and often walked these hills, and despite becoming a pioneering Himalayan climber, he championed the importance of these and other Scottish hills for recreation and conservation. As the route continues along the escarpment a number of cairns are passed marking the high points and the views are still impressive in all directions.
After descending slightly from Lairs the route bears slightly left to head north east directly towards the summit of Cort-ma Law crossing two stiles over fences and boggy ground on the way. The summit (531m) is marked by a trig point. The higher summit of Meikle Bin is prominent to the north east.
Descend NNW to cross another stile and continue in the same direction on a faint path across boggy moorland. The summit of Lecket Hill is a short detour north from the route, leave the path at a large stone to visit the small summit cairn which has a good view of Meikle Bin and the Carron Valley Reservoir as well the prow of the Fintry Hills and Stronend.
Return to the main path which heads west to a stile over a fence and descends directly to the B822 north of a burn. There is a parking area at the road so transport could be arranged, otherwise turn left to head down the fairly busy road.
At the start of the crash barrier there is a sign and stile for an alternative off-road route back to the car park. It is however quite rough, keeping high above the burn at first and then crossing steep ground with no real path in places. It does pass a lovely waterfall. If you choose to stay on the road, take care of the traffic and note Jamie Wright's Well on the south side of the road, a memorial to a local angler who tapped the rock to provide drinking water on his walks to go fishing. The poem was written by James Simmonds in the late 1800's. The car park is only a short distance from the well.
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