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Ochils: King's Seat Hill from Tillicoultry

Start/Finish

Top of Upper Mill Street in Tillicoultry. The Woolpack public house is nearby. Tillicoultry is on the A91 Stirling to St. Andrew's road. Upper Mill Street leaves the A91 at the western end of the town by the Bridge Inn.

Distance/Time

10 km    About 3 – 4 hours

Peaks

King's Seat Hill, 648 m, NS 933 999. OS Explorer 366: Stirling & Ochil Hills

Introduction

The Ochils contain many summits but, surprisingly, only one Graham showing how little drop most of the tops have. The Ochils dominate the view on the north side of the River Forth between Stirling and Kincardine. There are many paths but also some wet and boggy ground especially between Ben Buck and Blairdenon Hill. Rock falls and subsidence have damaged the path in the Mill Glen. On 27/5/22, there was a sign at the bottom saying that the path was closed but nothing to prevent access. Part of the path, about 10 m, had collapsed into the stream but, with care, it was possible to continue but only because the water level was low. After heavy rain, continuing might not be possible. King's Seat Hill is a good viewpoint for The Law, Ben Cleuch, Andrew Gannel Hill, Tarmangie and Whitewisp Hill.

Route

(1) From the top of Upper Mill Street, continue ahead on the path up Mill Glen. The route is obvious and crosses the stream several times. Carefully pick a way over the collapsed section and continue up to where the glen splits. Just before a short descent to the last bridge across the stream, take a reverse right fork onto the stepped path which is the way to King's Seat Hill. When the path levels out, take a fainter path going off to the left which ascends to meet a more obvious path by an outcrop. Follow the new path for some distance to reach a fence. Cross over and ascend up to a plateau where a small cairn marks the summit of King's Seat Hill, 648 m.

(2) Retrace the outward route.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 27^th May, 2022.