Get Lost Mountaineering

Dumyat and Castle Law from Sheriff Muir Road

Start/Finish

Car parking on Sheriff Muir road near Black Hill Wood. From Bridge of Allan, head south on the A9 and look for a left turn for Sheriff Muir which is the turning before the University of Stirling. Climb up for about a mile and pass a restricted road on the right. Soon after, the parking appears just after the wood (Black Hill Wood) on the left runs out. There is rough parking on the right then two parking bays just after plus some verge parking but on busy days arrive early!

Distance/Time

5 km        About 2 – 3 hours

Peaks

Dumyat, 418 m, NS 835 977.

Castle Law, 374 m, NS 832 974.      OS Explorer 366: Stirling & Ochil Hills

Introduction

This is the easiest route to the summit of Dumyat, an attractive outlier of the Ochil Hills. The route is very easy to follow even in mist. There is a memorial to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders on its summit, a trig point and a basket on a plinth which is a beacon. In clear weather, there are views to the main Ochils over to the east and the meandering River Forth to the south. This route also takes in the lower top of Castle Law before regaining the main path back to the start.

Route

(1) From the higher of the two parking bays, find the start of the path and follow it up, soon passing through a gate. Continue, weaving between minor tops. Note the cairned top off to the right when height has been gained which is Castle Law. The path traverses below the summit area which is easily gained passing a “round table” just before the trig point beyond which is a beacon basket and a low memorial. The highest point is the summit of Dumyat, 418 m.

(2) Take the very obvious wide path heading west which is the most popular route up Dumyat until it reaches a gate. Leave the path just before the gate and follow the fence to gain the short ridge leading to Castle Law. Note where a path comes in from the right. Soon reach the summit area where there are two large cairns. The second one is the summit of Castle Law, 374 m.

(3) Retrace towards the main path taking the left fork where the path splits. Further on, step over the fence then regain the main path west and follow it down and back to the start.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 23^rd May, 2022.