Campsie Fells, East Dunbartonshire
★★
Seasoned hillgoers local to the Campsie Fells know that this this circuit via Cort-ma Law’s weathered trig pillar should only be tackled during a prolonged dry spell. Picnickers and hurried sightseers drop off during the first mile of steep ascent, missing out on the best views from the edge of the escarpment, but also missing the boggy spots which grow in severity on the way to Lecket Hill. A good way to escape the Glasgow crowds, but wet boots may be inescapable except for the fleetest of foot. If it’s really that wet, you might want to consider visiting the upper waterfalls in Campsie Glen, accessed from the same car park.
Chronological photo guide
Initial ascent to Crichton’s Cairn 
Looking south from the Campsies escarpment 
Boggy paths on the plateau 
Crichton’s Cairn 
Cort-ma Law summit 
Looking northeast to Meikle Bin 
Looking southeast across the Central Belt 
View north to the Highlands from Lecket Hill 
Fintry Hills & Carron Valley Reservoir 
Meikle Bin 
Western Campsie Fells from the descent 
Descent towards the road through upper Campsie Glen 
Joining the road at Alnwick Bridge 
Waterfall on the Kirk Burn
Location
O.S. Grid Reference: NS 612801
GPS coordinates: 55.993636,-4.225615
Bus to Clachan of Campsie (0.5 mi via steep link path)
Car park
Key info
9 km / 6 mi | ▲ 350 m |
3-3.5 hr
Features: △ Cort-ma Law (531 m); △ Lecket Hill (547 m)
⬤⬤ Moderate to Tough | Grassy moorland paths, intermittent and boggy between Lairs and Lecket Hill. Last section from Alnwick Bridge is on a fairly busy road.
Anticlockwise circuit: start – Crichton’s Cairn – Lairs – Cort-ma Law – Lecket Hill – Alnwick Bridge – start
On our last visit
Wildlife: Kestrel soaring above Lecket Hill; small moorland birds; hungry midges briefly on initial climb and at Alnwick Bridge.
Weather: Hazy sunshine and light winds, temperature in mid teens.
September 2015
