Campsie Fells; 05 January 2024

This was my first solo hike of the New Year, exploring the surprisingly rugged Campsie Fells between Glasgow and the Highlands. I started at the famous Glengoyne Distillery, before crossing some farm fields to begin the ascent of Dumgoyne hill. This was a short but very steep climb, that rewarded me with great views of Glen Goyne, the rest of the Campsie Fells to the east, and in the distance Loch Lomond and Ben Lomond to the north. The rear descent of Dumgoyne was equally steep to the ascent, before a gentler climb to head deeper into the Campsie Fells. The trek followed a ridge that I could see the Highlands from the entire walk, and passed the ruins of an old farm croft. As I neared Earl’s Seat, the highest point in the Campsie Fells, the trail split, offering a shorter path through a boggy area or a longer path that stayed on the ridge. I chose the drier route, making my way around the bog to reach the summit of Earl’s Seat. From this spot I could see the Highlands to the north and Glasgow to the south. From there I returned along the same route along the ridge, before skirting the base of Dumgoyne and returning to Glengoyne Distillery.

Dumgoyne Hill from the Campsie Fells

Summit of Earl’s Seat

Glengoyne Distillery

Chris in the Campsie Fells

Dumgoyne summit