We were in the Outer Hebrides in June, hoping to get out to St. Kilda, but the weather prevented us. Instead, we wore our way down from Harris, through North and South Uist to Barra, mostly camping, and with some good walks.
The only “mountain” climb was Heaval, Barra’s hugest summit at 383m. A quick steep climb from the high point of the road east of Castelbay, up past the Madonna statue. Great views in all directions, although hazy.
3. Dumyat, 8th June 2016
At only 418m high, you might just call Dumyat (pronounced Dum – eye -at) the westernmost outcrop of the Ochils. But it is truly a mini-mountain, with crags and steep slopes, a worthy summit and great views over the Forth valley.
I was heading towards a meeting in Perth in the evening after staying over with my daughter in Stirling. A lovely summer day, so why not park at Blairlogie and climb Dumyat en route?
halfway up, looking back down the path
A false start led to a clamber through a jungle of brambles and nettles, but soon I found the main path up behind the farm. A steady climb, then across to the right around a steep valley and on to the plateau and out to Castle Law.
Back to the main path to contour round to the main summit. Great views all around.
Dumyat summit
Decided to vary the return route, following a good path leading down Burnwarroch and below Castle Law.
Castle Law from the summit, with the descent path just below the crags
Some slightly tricky route finding to avoid the crags, and soon back to the main descent path.
Summary:
6 km walk
450 m climb
2 hours 15 minutes
(written and uploaded 09/07/2019)
