Hill:
Earls Seat
Category:
Sub2k
Height:
578m
I
have had a inflamed achilles for a while so changed my plans at the
last minute and opted for another new Sub2k, Earls Seat. The ascent
is about the same but the walk shorter. Ibuprofen digested and headed
off.
Set
off early and just arrived in time to get a parking spot. There is
limited
parking across
the
road from
the Glengoyne
Distillery not
helped by an articulated
lorry taking up most of the area. Headed back south to another slot
where I managed to squeeze in, the parked up big Audi obviously
wanted the slot for just them, pillock.
From
here just cut across the grass over a small stile and follow the
track up to
the pine trees, over
a couple more styles and the steep flanks of Dumgoyne
are
ahead.
 |
| Eroded track visible on Dumgoyne |
There
are a couple of options at the start both of which meet up to become
the main path further up, your choice left or right.
The
coos have been around so some boggy patches before a more eroded but
fine path is reached (never did see the coos).
 |
| Looking back narrow track |
About
two thirds of the way up the track contours right then curves back
round to make it an easier ascent to the summit.
An
overweight couple appear descending, I reckon these are the Audi
owners so don't talk to them lol!
The
views are excellent from this volcanic plug albeit the very low
clouds are hiding the big mountain tops, where are you Ben Lomond?
 |
| View ahead from Dumgoyne |
The
immediate grassy route ahead is obvious but no sign of Earls Seat
yet, hidden away.
The
very steep eroded slopes off Dumgoyne are far and away the hardest
part of the walk, great care required, a slip could lead to a big
roll and do some damage.
There
are a few tracks merging but the main track is obvious. As we slowly
go up the first section a hill runner sprints past, we look suitably
impressed.
 |
| Open moor Earls Seat centre left |
There
are a few false tops and the track does rise and fall to
the small cairn of Garloch Hill. From
here over on your right is Clachertyfarlie Knowes, who makes up these
names?
Away
in the distance and over to the right
Earl's Seat is
finally in
view. Not a
hill as such but the high point of the moor on the Campsie Hills. The
runner is spotted already
on the ridge near the top, blimey. Ominous
big black clouds are coming over lots of juice in them I suspect.
 |
| Trig looking NE |
The
track is fairly
wet and boggy on
this last
stretch before we have to climb a
fence to reach the trig point which at
least is on
this side as
the fence behind it is barbed.
 |
| Luss Hills clearer in light than camera |
At
last the
clouds are lifting
enough so
the views have
improved. The Luss hills and its
horseshoe show particularly
well across
Loch Lomond and the islands.
Ben Lomond finally clear and
behind it peaks are popping up
everywhere as far as The Lawers range. To the east the Pentlands can
just be seen in the distance, still
cloudy in Edinburgh but close
by a strange looking object on Dunmore
catches the eye,
large cairn, a metallic
ball structure on top! Could not see it clearly enough. Checked the
map, there is an old fort showing but nothing else, odd one. Not
clear air viewing but good enough for today. After lunch we decided
to retrace our
steps to keep the views in
sight for as long as possible.
This
way also avoided the large peat hags
which could
be messy today.
 |
| Dumgoyne on the descent |
The
plug of Dumgoyne looks
more picturesque on the descent. The
conurbation of Glasgow and the Clyde sprawling out on the left.
Decided
not to go back up Dumgoyne but skirted round it to meet up with
outward track, lazy.
Weather
not as good as was predicted
last night but at least the clouds lifted and it did not rain. A
few people around but not as many as I feared and at least 4 hill
runners, that sport is gaining in popularity.
Wildlife:
Raven; Pheasant; Meadow Pipit; Ringlet butterfly and a pure white
moth no idea what kind.
Time:
4.28
Ascent:
818m
Distance:
11.0km
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