Scotland the best
Fantastic hillwalks
Venture to some Scots towns and discover the perfect starting point for beautiful scenic adventures Lomond Hills
Falkland conservation village lies below a ridge easily reached from the main street, especially via Back Wynd (off which there’s a car park). More usual approach to both East and West Lomond, the main tops, is from Craigmead car park 3km from village towards Leslie trail-finder board. The celebrated Lomonds (aka the Paps of Fife), aren’t that high (West is 522m). Also: easy start from radio masts 3km up road from A912 E of Falkland. An easy rewarding single climb is Bishop Hill. Start 100m from the church in Scotlandwell. A steep path veers left and then there are several ways up. Allow 2.5 hours. Great view of Loch Leven.
The Eildons
The three much-loved hills or paps and easily climbed from the town of Melrose. Leave main square by road to station (the Dingleton road); after 100m a path begins between two pebble-dash houses on the left. Climb the smallest first, then the highest central one (422m). You can make a circular route of it by returning to the golf course. Allow 2 hours. Good pub and food options in Melrose; p. 146–7.
The Ochils
Usual approach from the “hillfoot towns” that cut into their south-facing slopes, along the A91 Stirling-St Andrews road. Alva, Tillicoultry and Dollar all have impressive glen walks. Good start near Stirling from the Sheriffmuir road uphill from Bridge of Allan about 3km, look for pylons and a lay-by on the right (a reservoir just visible on the left). Usually other cars here. A stile leads to the hills which stretch away to the east for 40km and afford great views for little effort, east from Dumyat (3 hour return) though the highest point is Ben Cleugh at 721m. Swimming place nearby is “Paradise”.