Dumgoyne..a 427m Minature Mountain

[BrianJ]

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Date: 3rd January 2010
Height: 427m
Ascent:355m
Distance: 9km
Time Taken: 4hrs(with lots of photo stops and 1hr at top)
Weather: Sunny, no wind

Dumgoyne is a steep sided volcanic plug at the western edge of the Campsie Hills and although I only live some 10mins away its a hill I’ve neglected. Been up it only twice in the last thirty years, that is until this last month when i’ve climbed it another two times.
The first was in December with a promised inversion. See pics here

http://www.scottishhills.com/html/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=6598

Sunday 3rd Jan looked a good day to get back to the hills but I didn’t fancy a biggy because of the snow so Dumgoyne it was.
There are two popular routes to choose from. The tourist route starts by GlenGoyne Distillery at a layby on the A81 and goes straight up the west side of the hill on a very steep, eroded path. Not very nice at the best of times and in snow probably very dodgy.
The other route starts in the village of Blanefield along, the private, Campsie Dene Rd where there is room to park several cars at NS 55632 79671


The road was very icy, Microspikes were very effective!


As you pass the final house you get your first view of Dumgoyne and at agate the road becomes a track


Great views of the crags of Slackdhu(495m)


Highland cows can be a hazard on the track

the track follows the line of the Pipe Road, the route of the water pipes supplying Glasgow from Loch Katrine and there are several water works structures along the way


After 2km go through the gate and pass the house at Cantywheery


and after about 100m leave the track go through the gate on the right and take to the field


Follow the obvious path


Dumgoyne comes into view again


The path crosses a small stream to a little style at the hole in the wall


Path contours round the lower slopes of Dumfoyne(not named on OS 1:50000)


very soon you arrive at the start of the climb to Dumgoyne

a couple of paths to choose to the top, the more direct one becoming suprisingly steep in parts!

Looking south towards Dumfoyne, Slackdhu and Glasgow.


West to Aucheniden Hill(357m) and Queens View


Obligatory self portrait at the top


Views all around were superb, visibility was excellent.
Looking to Loch Lomond

Luss hills

The Cobbler to Ben Lomond

Close up of Ben Lomond

Looking east to the Campsie Hills

South to Glasgow, spot the Glasgow University tower.

Walkers on the way to Garloch Hill(543m)


Spent an hour at the top admiring the view then headed back down the way I'd come.
The sun was setting

There was a faint sun pillar starting to form as it reached the horizon.

as I drove away the dying rays of the sun lit up the Campsies and Dumgoyne


A fantastic day to be in the hills



Brianj

[RCFC]

Super photos Brian-kinley has some serious competition
Good infomative report.

[terra_firma]

Excellent detailed report Brian
Nice alternative route to the 'tourist' route, super photos, some crackers, particularly liked the one of Glasgow with Whitelee behind.

Cheers for the report

[goth_angel]

Cracking pics. Did you wear the microspikes for the whole ascent? Looks pretty steep, at least the bit with the sheep on it.
_________________

[cammy]

Its really great to see a trip report on one of my local ones. Superb photos too. Made me decide to visit Dumgoyne before the snow goes. It is a great wee hill, very rocky and almost alpine in character.

[Strider]

One of my local hills, been up there loads of times but not in winter .
Think I'll need to give it a go now

Thanks for sharing, some fantastic clear views.

[kinley]

It may be knackering to walk through but it does provide some great views

Some lovely photos there Brian - love the Alpenglow and the icing sugar hills N



Nice to see the propeller system designed to tow Glasgow out into the Atlantic is nearing completion

[Squiz]

[Irene]

Loved your photos. I have only been up Dumgoyne once and it was a steep wee hill.

[BrianJ]

[Gowdoc]

Great wee hill & great pictures Brian.
Garloch Hill looks like something from the Cairngorm plateau

[BrianJ]

Thought I'd post a pic of the route I took for those of you tempted by, but unfamiliar with, Dumgoyne. I went up the red dot way but the the blue is a less steep alternative.

Mind you the dots have maybe disappeared by now

Brianj

[cammy]

[cammy]

Oh and I forgot to mention in my last post - this area has its very own northern corries! Most notable are the Corries of Balglass which I've also heard compared to a Cairngorm landscape.

[Gowdoc]