Country Walking: Dumgoyne The volcanic plug of Dumgoyne, which provides a burn to feed a distillery below, is a true sign you are leaving the urban sprawl of Glasgow behind and entering the Highlands. Part of its allure is the fact that you can see it on the horizon from much of Glasgow. It’s not a huge hill – at 1401ft, it’s far from the biggest in the Campsie Fells – but it’s probably the most enticing in the region. Many of the peaks in these parts have large, flat tops, but Dumgoyne is different. Known as the Sleeping Giant, and just a short detour off the West Highland Way, it’s a beautiful peak and the views from its summit are stunning: over the hills and mountains of Loch Lomond, around to the Trossachs, and even as far as the Isle of Arran on the clearest days. This walk might be short, but don’t be deceived – it is extremely steep. Take your time and catch your breath while you savour the ever-improving vistas. By Nick Drainey ROUTE Start/parking: Free parking in layby on A81, 100m north of Glengoyne Distillery, grid ref NS526827, postcode G63 9LB Is it for me? Mostly obvious paths and tracks. Some wet ground and exposed moorland. Steep or very steep for much of the way Stiles: 3 PLANNING Nearest town: Strathblane Refreshments: The Beechtree Inn, Dumgoyne (01360 550297) or Kirkhouse Inn at Strathblane (01360 771771) Public toilets: None Public transport: Frequent bus X10 from Glasgow and Stirling to distillery (Mon-Sun, mcgillsscotland east.co.uk) Maps: OS Explorer 348; Landranger 57 or 64 From Country Walking magazine, to subscribe visit www.GreatMagazines.co.uk/CountryWalking Copyright Bauer Media Limited 2017. All rights reserved. We have taken all reasonable steps to ensure these walks are safe and correctly described. However things do change and all outdoor activities involve a degree of risk. The GPX trace on this route is for use as a guide only, its accuracy may change depending on the scale of map you are using. Use in combination with judgement and a paper map. The publishers accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions or for any injuries or accidents that occur whilst following this walk. 2.0 3 ON_FOOT_WALKING MODERATE 3582.3690157 389.8200000 NS 5270 8277 Walk south along the road, past the distillery and bus stop. Cross the road and bear R, up the grassy bank and over a stile. NS 5279 8250 Follow the grass path uphill, towards Dumgoyne. Around 300m after crossing a track, go over two stiles next to each other to reach open hillside. NS 5347 8283 Ignore paths and sheep trods going off to either side and keep going up the steep slope, following the obvious path veering R. Very steep ground eventually leads to a false summit, then the actual top. NS 5416 8277 Return to the two stiles and, 50m lower down, go R at fork. Pass solar panels in a field and after these (not before) go through a gate on the R. NS 5301 8296 Follow the track L, heading downhill, over a burn and to the R of a gate. At the bottom cross the road and go R for 10m to return to the lay-by at the start. Country Walking: Dumgoyne 453C90 0.8 10.0