The Lomond Hills, Fife

The two summits of the Lomond Hills are sites of ancient volcanoes, with a thick layer of intrusive dolerite forming the high ground between them. Starting in the village of Falkland we’ll climb gently through a quiet wooded valley into the open moorland and then to the summit of East Lomond.

THE ROCKS: The scenery of this area is dominated by the high ground of the Lomond Hills, formed by igneous rocks. The peaks of East and West Lomond are the remains of volcanic vents, active during the Carboniferous Period. The high ground between them is underlain by dolerite, part of the Midland Valley sill, and representing a very different type of magmatic action. The icing on the cake is a strip of limestone, surrounded by igneous rocks, and exploited in the past for its mineral richness.

THE WALK: This is a moderate walk along good paths, involving an ascent of 400 m over the course of the day and a steep descent. From Falkland we’ll climb on a good path up the Maspie Den, visit Maiden Castle between East and West Lomond, then climb over East Lomond to return to Falkland. I have classified this as a Moderate Walk: not always on paths, may be rough or slippery underfoot at times. It may be wet, windy or cold. Come equipped with strong footwear and waterproof clothing.

MEETING POINT & ROUTE: Back Wynd car park, Falkland, Fife. From the High Street / East Port in Falkland, turn south on to Back Wynd and then turn left. Car sharing encouraged, please get in touch if you need a lift or can offer one. Grid reference NO 253 073 | Nearest Postcode: KY15 7AN | what3words: bogus.living.courtyard | Route Map.