The Lomond Hills are the highest in the Kingdom of Fife and provide unparalleled 360-degree panoramas over the surrounding area and to the higher hills further north. This walk takes in the two main peaks in the range providing an invigorating walk, which is perfect for all the family (except very young children).
West Lomond is the bigger of the two hills rising to 522 metres, East Lomond is slightly smaller at 424 metres.
Both are easily accessed from the car park at Craigmead (at 300 metres), which is signposted from Falkland. To get there, drive through Falkland village, take the turning down the side of Falkland Palace, drive through the square beyond the Palace and continue on this road until you reach the car park.
Starting out from Craigmead, head east, crossing the road and follow the track towards East Lomond. At the foot of the hill, turn right and walk round the preserved lime kilns before following the route up to the summit of East Lomond.
The signposted path up East Lomond climbs south-west through a lovely wooded area; there are plenty of resting spots with views north. The path lower down is well stepped, with a convenient handrail. Once on to the open hillside walk up the steep grassy cone of East Lomond. It generally takes around an hour to reach the summit and the view is worth every step!
It?s an easy descent westwards on a broad track above an old limekiln back to Craigmead car park for your ascent of West Lomond.
From the car park, head through a metal gate onto open land, following a broad and longer track than that of East Lomond, which leads to the foot of West Lomond.
As you reach the base, there are several options for gaining the summit of the hill. Our suggestion would be to continue on the path to the right (north) as this skirts around the hill, with the summit being accessed from the west. The direct route to the top on the east side of the hill is eroded and efforts are being made to remedy this.
The final pull up to the summit is on a broad but steep path, which gives way to a more rocky surface closer to the summit. It generally takes around 1 - 1.5 hours to reach the top.
The summit, at 1713 feet, is marked by a large cairn and, next to it, a trig point. From the top you'll have great views over Loch Leven, a National Nature Reserve and the largest loch in lowland Scotland. Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned on in Loch Leven Castle on Castle Island, which you can visit by a small ferry in the summer months, in 1567 as she awaited her execution. To the east you'll see East Lomond, where you were earlier and there are great views of the Ochil Hills, over to the Trossachs, south towards the Fife coast and Edinburgh and north over fertile Fife countryside to the Grampian mountains.
To return to your start point, simply re-trace the outward route and return to Craigmead car park.
