{"id":25516,"date":"2023-04-03T07:59:32","date_gmt":"2023-04-03T05:59:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/?p=142186"},"modified":"2023-04-06T16:37:04","modified_gmt":"2023-04-06T14:37:04","slug":"west-lomond-fife-walk","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/west-lomond-fife-walk\/","title":{"rendered":"West Lomond, Fife walk"},"content":{"rendered":"

Climb to the highest point in Fife, relish epic views and explore a mossy vale on this exciting circular walk to the summit of West Lomond in Scotland <\/p>

By Vivienne Crow\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Monday, 03 April 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

West Lomond is Fife\u2019s highest point. At just 522m, it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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<\/a> peaks are visible.<\/p>\n

Add in fascinating geological features, some history and a touch of folklore, and you\u2019ve got all the ingredients for a great walk.<\/p>\n

Looking for more walks in Scotland? Check out our guides to the best walks in the Cairngorms<\/a> and the best walks in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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The walk passes through Glen Vale near John Knox\u2019s pulpit on the slopes of West Lomond\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

West Lomond walk<\/h2>\n

5.7 miles\/9.2km | 4 hours | challenging | 432m ascent<\/em><\/p>\n

1. Bunnet Stane parking<\/h4>\n

Walk north-east along the road for 1 mile, as far as the Bunnet Stane parking.<\/p>\n

2. Bunnet Stane<\/h4>\n

Take the grassy track immediately after the layby and then make for the sandstone formations in the field ahead.<\/p>\n

The Bunnet Stane is suspended above the main outcrop on a slender pedestal in mushroom-like fashion. Beneath it is a man-made cave, once a shepherds\u2019 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\u2019s south-east corner, then follows the field boundary uphill.<\/p>\n

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A distant view of West Lomond, Fife\u2019s highest point\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

3. Hoglayers<\/h4>\n

At the fence corner, a rough path heads left. An old, surprisingly broad path soon finds a weak spot in West Lomond\u2019s defences beneath the crags of Hoglayers, climbing across a grassy bowl in the otherwise steep scarp. Keep to the clearest path.<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0West Lomond summit<\/h4>\n

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\u2019re now looking across the moorland to West Lomond\u2019s imaginatively named twin, East Lomond.<\/p>\n

5. West Lomond descent<\/h4>\n

Take the trail dropping south-west. After a stile, continue in the same direction for 350 yards \u2013 across one area of bare ground. At a second area devoid of vegetation, head roughly south to join a path through the heather<\/a>.<\/p>\n

6. Glen Vale<\/h4>\n

Turn right at the Glen Vale path. On the burn\u2019s far side, the elements have created a cave and carved the sandstone into a natural amphitheatre, known as John Knox\u2019s Pulpit.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not known whether the Protestant reformer himself preached here, but 17th-century covenanters definitely used the site for clandestine religious services.<\/p>\n

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Explore the natural rock formations at Glen Vale\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

7. Glen Burn<\/h4>\n

After \u00bd mile, bear right to cross Glen Burn. Continue downstream, later passing through woodland sporting the youthful green of early summer.<\/p>\n

Turning right at the road, the car park is on right in 280 yards.<\/p>\n

West Lomond map<\/h2>\n

West Lomond \u2013 OS Maps walking route<\/a><\/p>\n

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Useful information<\/h3>\n

Starting point<\/h4>\n

Glen Vale car park, Dryside Road, Fife KY14 7RP (grid ref NO172069), 3\u00bd miles south-west of Strathmiglo. No public transport.<\/p>\n

Terrain<\/h4>\n

Mostly good paths on open hill, but briefly pathless. Some stiles. Short road section.<\/p>\n

Map<\/h4>\n

OS Explorer 370<\/p>\n

Eat and drink<\/h4>\n

Campbell\u2019s Coffee House and Eatery<\/a> in Falkland, about 7 miles from walk\u2019s start point (01337 858738).<\/p>\n

Stay<\/h4>\n

Historic Falkland has a range of hotels and B&Bs.<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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