Dumgoyne – Over the Campsies to Earl's Seat
A day.
The route
Dumgoyne is the steep green dome at the western end of the Campsie Fells, the bump you see on the skyline looking north from Glasgow.
A short, very steep climb takes you to its top, and a longer walk over the plateau goes on to Earl's Seat, with views north to Loch Lomond, the Arrochar Alps and the Trossachs. It's a fine hill day for fit walkers, with lunch at the Beech Tree at the foot of the hill to finish.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
The nearest of ours is Moment Blythswood Street, 12 miles away. Sleeps 2.
The day
Dumgoyne
A stiff pull up a very steep first mile, a long, breezy walk along the edge of the plateau, and a late lunch in the garden at the bottom.
About five hoursAbout 7 miles on foot
Dumgoyne
Park in the layby on the A81, two miles south of Killearn, just north of the distillery at the foot of the hill; it fills up, and the distillery's own car park is for its customers only. The path starts just south of the distillery and goes straight up onto the open hillside. The first mile to the top of Dumgoyne, 427 metres, is very steep, on a clear but eroded path that grows airy near the top. From there it carries on over Garloch Hill and along the edge of the plateau to Earl's Seat, 578 metres, where the ground turns soggy. Come back the same way, skirting round the north side of Dumgoyne rather than climbing it again. It's 11 km (7 miles) there and back with 710 metres of climbing: allow three and a half to four hours. Wear boots and take waterproofs, a map and food, and turn back if the cloud comes down. From November to February set off by 10am, and after snow leave it for another day.
The Beech Tree
Lunch
Back at the car, the Beech Tree is a minute's drive north, at the foot of Dumgoyne. It's a family restaurant and café bar serving hearty comfort food, with a big garden, a play area, and pygmy goats, mini Shetland ponies, rabbits and ducks to see. It opens Monday, Thursday and Friday 10am to 5pm, Tuesday and Wednesday 10am to 3pm, Saturday 10am to 7pm and Sunday 11am to 5pm. Last food orders are half an hour before closing, so on a Tuesday or Wednesday be down by 2pm. Dogs on a lead are welcome in the bar and the garden, but not in the conservatory. If the tables are full, its takeaway food is served every day.
If it rains
Dumgoyne is no place in rain, wind or low cloud: the eroded path turns slippery and the view is the point. On a wet day save the hill for a clear one; the Beech Tree's tables and its animals are still there for lunch.
Where to stay
Photographs by Grand MoFF, Kenn Madsen and Beech Tree Cafe Bar via Google