Category: *The Scottish hills*

Looking for a hill to climb in Scotland? Here you’ll find my reviews of some of the most popular hill walks – everything from small family-friendly hills to Munros and everything in between.

Walk 146 – Hill Wood Walk, Straiton – 4-6 miles

October 5, 2017

This is a circular walk beginning in the quaint rural Ayrshire village of Straiton. Initially the route heads uphill to follow rough and sometimes overgrown, boggy tracks through an area of forestry. Enjoy fine views down into the village and the Galloway hills beyond. The return leg of the walk loops back into Straiton on a variety of terrain including farm tracks, grassy fields and surfaced roads. … More Walk 146 – Hill Wood Walk, Straiton – 4-6 miles

Walk 145 – The Whangie, Kilpatrick Hills – 2.7 miles

October 2, 2017

The Whangie: strange by name and strange by nature! This massive and unique rocky outcrop seems to appear out of nowhere on an otherwise grassy hillside. Situated at an elevation of 300m (984 ft), the 10m high rocks have a narrow passageway through the middle, formed during the Ice Age. Easy to reach by following the well-worn although muddy footpath which climbs at a gentle gradient. On a clear day enjoy the views across to Loch Lomond and the Campsies as well as the hills of the Scottish Highlands to the north. … More Walk 145 – The Whangie, Kilpatrick Hills – 2.7 miles

Walk 108 – Beinn Ime from Butterbridge, Glen Kinglas – 5.5 miles

January 21, 2017

This route up Beinn Ime (1011 m / 3316 ft), the highest peak in the Arrochar Alps, avoids the crowded zigzagging footpath from Succoth. Starting at Butterbridge on A83, there is a burn to follow all the way to Glas Bhealach and although there is no path, the grassy slopes are easy going albeit steep at times. From the bealach it is a steep but short ascent to the summit, this time with a faint path to follow. The return leg brings you down the tourist route a short distance (boggy but gentle!) before you traverse across to Bealach a ‘ Mhargaidh and follow the burn down the glen on a grassy footpath back to the A83 at your starting point. … More Walk 108 – Beinn Ime from Butterbridge, Glen Kinglas – 5.5 miles

Walk 105 – The Cobbler & Ben Narnain, Arrochar – 7.2 miles

January 8, 2017

A circular route in the Arrochar Alps taking in the north peak of the iconic Ben Arthur, better known as The Cobbler (884 m / 2900 ft) followed by Ben Narnain (926 m / 3038 ft). A gentle start quickly becomes steep and challenging with lots of rocky outcrops. Will you be brave enough to go through “the eye of the needle”?? There is a good footpath the entire way although be prepared for very boggy conditions between the two mountains and on the lower slopes of Narnain. The descent from Narnain is very challenging in particular the steep gully known as The Spearhead. The final section follows the old tramline to connect with the forestry road into Arrochar. … More Walk 105 – The Cobbler & Ben Narnain, Arrochar – 7.2 miles

Walk 97 – Ben Venue from Loch Achray – 8.4 miles

November 19, 2016

Ben Venue, meaning “the small mountain” certainly packs a punch for being a Graham! At 729m / 2391ft, it is the rockiest hill in the Trossachs and is a very familiar sight across Loch Venachar, Loch Achray or Loch Katrine. Consisting of 2 summits, on a clear day you will be rewarded with stunning views across the highlands. A fairly long walk in means allowing approximately 6 hours to complete this route. … More Walk 97 – Ben Venue from Loch Achray – 8.4 miles

Walk 95 – Blackcraig Hill, East Ayrshire – 3.6 miles

November 6, 2016

Blackcraig Hill, close to New Cumnock, is the highest peak in the area (700 m / 2296 ft) and on a clear day you will be rewarded with simply stunning views from the top. With no obvious footpath to follow, some navigation skills are required, particularly in poor visibility. The route described below is a straightforward gentle ascent on mostly grassy ground with a few craggy sections to look out for. … More Walk 95 – Blackcraig Hill, East Ayrshire – 3.6 miles

Walk 89 – The Merrick, Dumfries & Galloway – 8.4 miles

September 25, 2016

The hike up to the top of the Merrick (843 m / 2765 ft) is a wonderful day out on varied and interesting terrain with lovely views for almost the entire way. It is a fairly long walk in, starting alongside a burn with lovely waterfalls, past Culsharg bothy, through a short section of forest and then onto the open hillside on grassy footpaths. From here it is a pretty gentle ascent to the summit of Bennyellary (719 m / 2358 ft) followed by a fabulous wide ridge walk to the summit of the Merrick. … More Walk 89 – The Merrick, Dumfries & Galloway – 8.4 miles

Walk 88 – Ben More & Stob Binnein – 7 miles

September 18, 2016

The Munros Ben More (1174 m / 3851 ft) and Stob Binnein (1165 m / 3822 ft) lie close to Crianlarich and are easily accessible from A85. Steep and boggy for much of the way but no real technical skills required. A little scrambling on the (long) descent from Ben More towards Stob Binnein and a very peaceful but steep and slippery walk back down from the bealach into Ben More Glen. Keep a look out for the waterfalls visible behind you as you descend! … More Walk 88 – Ben More & Stob Binnein – 7 miles

Walk 87 – Ben Lomond – 7.6 miles

September 10, 2016

Ben Lomond (974 m / 3196 ft) is one of the most popular mountains in Scotland thanks to it’s proximity to Glasgow and it’s title of ‘Scotland’s most southerly Munro’. The route below is the most popular one, starting from Rowardennan which is the furthest point along Loch Lomond’s eastern shore you can reach by car. From here it is just over 3 miles to the summit along a well-maintained footpath. On a clear day you will be rewarded with fine views of Loch Lomond and across the Scottish Highlands. … More Walk 87 – Ben Lomond – 7.6 miles

Walk 84 – Earl’s Seat, Campsies – 6.6 miles

August 5, 2016

At a height of 578 m (1896 ft), Earl’s Seat is the highest of the Campsie Fells. Relatively unspectacular-looking, it fades into the background behind it’s impressive neighbour Dumgoyne Hill. That said, the summit is a great vantage point with panoramic views across to Loch Lomond and the Scottish Highlands on one side, and the city of Glasgow and beyond on the other. Mostly grassy tracks, the route can be wet underfoot and boggy in places. It is a very exposed area with no shelter so do go prepared in case you run into poor weather! There is a steep section near the start before the route levels off to a far more gentle gradient thereafter. … More Walk 84 – Earl’s Seat, Campsies – 6.6 miles

Walk 82 – Goatfell, Isle of Arran – 10.9 miles

July 29, 2016

This route takes you from the ferry terminal in Brodick to the summit of Goatfell (874 m / 2866 ft) following the ‘tourist route’, returning with a de-tour through Conocan Wood and past Brodick Castle, a National Trust for Scotland property. Goatfell is the highest peak on the Isle of Arran and from the top on a clear day you will be rewarded with magnificent panoramic views across the island’s array of dramatic granite ridges. … More Walk 82 – Goatfell, Isle of Arran – 10.9 miles

Walk 72 – Ben A’an Circular Walk, Loch Achray – 4 miles

June 22, 2016

The iconic pointed peak of Ben A’an in the Trossachs is a fantastic wee climb. With a clear and well-worn footpath all the way to the top, the views of Loch Katrine and Ben Venue are nothing short of spectacular. This particular route forms a loop, taking you back down the other side of the hill, through some forest to the banks of Loch Katrine. … More Walk 72 – Ben A’an Circular Walk, Loch Achray – 4 miles