SCOTLAND
16. FIFE, WEST LOMOND
Distance: 5.7 miles/9.2km | Time: 4 hours | Grade: Challenging | Total ascent: 432m
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West Lomond is Fife’s highest point. At just 522m, it’s a tiddler by Scottish standards, but with nothing else of similar stature for miles around, standing on this volcanic plug feels like standing atop a much mightier mountain, and offers incredible views.
To the south-east, the distinctive Bass Rock sits out in the Firth of Forth; to the west are the Ochil Hills; further north, wistful outlines of Highland peaks are visible. Add in fascinating geological features, some history and a touch of folklore, and you have got all the ingredients for a great walk.
1. START
Walk north-east along the road for one mile, as far as Bunnet Stane parking.
2. 1 MILE
Take the grassy track immediately after the layby and then make for the sandstone formations in the field ahead. The Bunnet Stane is suspended above the main outcrop on a slender pedestal in mushroom-like fashion.
Beneath it is a manmade cave, once a shepherds’ bothy, although local legend tells a more fanciful story involving star-crossed teenage lovers, an angry father and a murder.
Whichever is true, our route continues to the field’s south-east corner, then follows the field boundary uphill.
3. 2 MILES
At the fence corner, a rough path heads left. An old, surprisingly broad path soon finds a weak spot in West Lomond’s defences, climbing across a grassy bowl in the otherwise steep scarp. Keep to the clearest path.
4. 2.5 MILES
On reaching a clearer path, turn right. Keep left as this curves around the western side of the hill to reach the trig pillar and prehistoric burial cairn on the summit.
As well as the distant views, you are now looking across the moorland to West Lomond’s imaginatively named twin, East Lomond.
5. 3 MILES
Take the trail dropping south-west. After a stile, continue in the same direction for 350 yards – across one area of bare ground. At a second area devoid of vegetation, head roughly south to join a path through the heather.
6. 3.8 MILES
Turn right at the Glen Vale path. On the burn’s far side, the elements have created a cave and carved the sandstone into a natural amphitheatre, known as John Knox’s Pulpit.
It’s not known whether the famous Protestant reformer himself preached here, but 17th-century covenanters definitely used the site for performing clandestine religious services.
7. 4.3 MILES
After ½ mile, bear right to cross the burn. Continue downstream, later passing through woodland sporting the youthful green of early summer. Turning right at the road, the car park is on the right in 280 yards.
USEFUL INFO
Starting point
Glen Vale car park, Dryside Road, Fife, KY14 7RP, 3½ miles south-west of Strathmiglo. No public transport.
Terrain
Mostly good paths on open hill, but briefly pathless. Some stiles. Short road section.
Map
OS Explorer 370
Eat/drink
Campbell’s Coffee House and Eatery in Falkland, about seven miles from walk’s start point. 01337 858 738.
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