Durisdeer Hills Route 5
With their super-elegant whale-back slopes, the Durisdeer Hills are the perfect introduction to the Southern Uplands, says Peter Edwards.
Whale-backs of the Southern Uplands
Durisdeer is one of most attractively situated villages in all of southern Scotland, nestled in a wooded glen between a splendidly arrayed collection of elegant whale-backed hills. The village is also very bonny and it has an impressive 17th century church and kirkyard, which is well worth a visit. The Durisdeer Hills are part of the Lowther Hills range, a large tract of hill country between the Clyde and Nith valleys, which are remarkably under-visited although only an hour or so from Glasgow and Edinburgh.
This route takes in the hills either side of the glen above Durisdeer and features a number of steep ups and downs, which you’ll feel the day after. However, the walk can easily be halved by way of a Roman road through the glen. Near the end of the walk you’ll find Kettleton Byre, a bijou MBA bothy where you can tarry awhile, or even spend the night if you’re robust and keen enough to carry the requisite kit.
If you’re driving, park next to the verge outside the church.