Campsie Fells

Slackdhu Circuit

Photographs of an ascent from Broadgate Farm in Blane Valley

and along the escarpment of the Campsie Fells

above Strathblane

from the Bannan Crags to Jenny's Lum

Ascent route from Broadgate Farm

to the escarpment of the Campsie Fells

On ascent to the escarpment of the Campsie Fells

Auchineden Hill on ascent to Bannan Crags

in the escarpment of the Campsie Fells

Luss Hills above Loch Lomond from the Bannan Crags

Luss Hills above Loch Lomond

on ascent to the Bannan Crags

Bannan Crags

in the escarpment of the Campsie Fells

Strathblane and the Kilpatrick Hills

from the Bannan Crags in the Campsie Fells

Strathblane beneath the Bannan Crags

in the escarpment of the Campsie Fells

Strathblane beneath the Bannan Crags in the escarpment of the Campsie Fells

Strathblane beneath the Bannan Crags

in the escarpment of the Campsie Fells

The escarpment of the Campsie Fells

Rock Buttresses at Jenny's Lum

in the escarpment of the Campsie Fells

Jenny's Lum arete

in the escarpment of the Campsie Fells

Jenny's Lum

in the escarpment of the Campsie Fells

Jenny's Lum in the Campsie Fells

above Blanefield

Jenny's Lum

Was once a thatched cottage occupied by Jenny Brash,

after whom the Netherton Burn and Glen are often called,

and whose "lum" far away on the top of the hills

still "reeks" furiously when a storm is at its highest.

Jenny's lum is a fissure in the rock

through which the Netherton or Jenny's Burn flows

through from the top of the Strathblane hills

into the valley below.

When the burn is in spate,

and the wind strong from the south-west,

the falling water is blown backwards and upwards

and the volumes of spray so formed

are exactly like the dense gray smoke

that comes out of a chimney

- hence the name.

Strathblane / Blanefield - History

Luss Hills above Loch Lomond

beyond the escarpment

of the Campsie Fells

The escarpment of the Campsie Fells

Descent route to Broadgate Farm

from the escarpment

of the Campsie Fells

Dunglass and standing stone ( Menhir )

in Broadgate Farm

Megalithic - Broadgate Farm Standing Stone

Dunglass Hill

Strathblane Parish Church ( built 1803 )

beneath the Campsie Fells

Strathblanefield - Parish Church

Strathblane Parish Church

Map of Slackdhu on the Campsie Fells

above Blanefield and Strathblane

WALK FROM BLANEFIELD TO KILLEARN - ROUTE DESCRIPTION:

This walk is a lovely sscenic one from Blanefield to Killearn of nearly six miles along the upper eastern slope of the valley.
The Campsie Fells, with their impressive cliffs, tower above you on the east side of the valley, the Arrochar Alps are constantly in view to the north west and on the latter part of the walk, Ben Lomond comes into sight.
This is a linear walk along a wide track so is easy to follow.
Getting back to ‘the start point is simple - there is a bus service from Killearn to Blaneﬁeld, Milngavie and Glasgow.
The walk starts opposite the Blane Valley Inn in Blanefield where the No 10 bus from Milngavie stops.
Cross the road, turn left towards the War Memorial and take the Campsie Dene road to its very end.
There you enjoy the ﬁrst view of the extinct volcano of Dumgoyne and as you emerge onto open moorland the Campsie Fells rise steeply on your right hand side. The horizontal ledges of their cliff faces show where successive lava ﬂows had once tumbled into the valley from volcanos 300 million years ago.
On the other side of the valley are gentle hills and ahead to the north west are the Arrochar Alps.
The all-weather track built for access to the water pipeline that carries water from Loch Katrine to the Milngavie reservoirs, ensures that its surface is good for walking even in wet weather. The track follows the pipeline closely which means that it maintains the same contour, well above the valley ﬂoor throughout its length.
The track skirts woods, generally quite small, which are interspersed with open moor and pastures, ensures that you experience superb views of the valley and hills for most of the walk.
On the outskirts of Killearn, you go through two metal pedestrian gates that give access to a path alongside the outer edge of the houses and thence onto a quiet road ﬂanked by large mansions.
At the oldest of these, Auchenibert, turn left and go downhill to the entrance to Ibert Farm and House, where you again tum left down to the main street of Killearn.
Turn right and walk up to the corner where you will see the lofty obelisk - monument to George Buchanan the local man who became tutor to the young Scottish King, James IV.
Again turn to the right along the street where is good food and drink at the Old Mill pub and restaurant,
There is a bus stop outside the Old Mill for the return to your starting point.