The Route
When fund-raising and inviting other people to join in the walk I prepared this guide for other fundraisers who wanted to come along. Afterwards, I thought it might be useful to just leave it here, in case anyone else finds it a help. Experienced hill-walkers who know the Ochils may not, though if they want to add comment they are most welcome.
A day trek from the Sheriffmuir Inn [ ///march.crumple.putty ] to The Tormaukin Inn [ ///rant.promotes.cyber ]
Disclaimer
This guide is written to be helpful to fellow walkers but makes no claims so far as its accuracy is concerned. I cannot accept any liability for people undertaking this walk and urge you to be well prepared, to take all necessary precautions and to guard your own safety and welfare, which includes taking a map, a compass, a torch and a whistle…
The guide is written for walking in September or in otherwise fair conditions. Though it is possible and, indeed, can be very enjoyable to do this walk in winter, it should be borne in mind that the day will be much shorter, paths will be less distinct and, if snowy, they may be hidden. Also the ground will be significantly boggier. Snow can make even a short walk on these hills a far more perilous enterprise which is best left to fit and experienced hillwalkers.
Maps
The best map for this trip is the Ordnance Survey NN80/90 Pathfinder 371 1:25000
A good second map is the Ordnance Survey Sheet 58 Landranger 1:50000
(to help with identifying what you can see from up there)
Another good map, though not so easily found, is the Harvey Superwalker "Ochil Hills" 1:25000
(water resistant)
Although there is no reliable substitute for good map reading, I have included some What3Words.com references for key locations to assist. Do not attempt to travel in a direct line from one reference to the next however; that will probably end in tears.
Options
If it becomes necessary, there are escape routes:
Having descended Blairdenon, instead of climbing up Ben Buck, you can keep going down the track to Alva, where you can be collected or you can catch a bus.
Further on, at Maddy Moss, having descended Andrew Gannel Hill, you have choices. You can go on to the Tormaukin via Tarmangie etc., you can go left to Glenhead or Glensherup or you can go right to Dollar. Though these latter options do not shorten the route to a road by much, they reduce the amount of climbing required.
The very fit can get extra points by doing the Transochilator Max. So if you are out in a group of mixed ability, the Max may help keep everyone more or less together at the end. On the map you will see three dotted lines indicating extra excursions to other tops, all or some of which you can take while slower people catch up.
Guidelines
Though this walk may seem no more than a Sunday stroll to some, please make sure you are properly equipped and, if you are uncertain about your abilities, try to make sure you are not walking alone. It is advisable to have someone available by arrangement with a phone and a car, in case you need to duck out early.
Unless you are a proficient map reader, I advise against ad hoc descents towards civilisation. The hills are not huge but the south side can be especially perilous and there are many steep drops which can catch you out, especially in poor visibility.
Have the correct clothing and footwear. Although it can be roasting up there in the sunshine, it can also turn nasty very quickly and there is nowhere to hide from the rain and the wind if it does. You become quickly soaked by thick cloud too. Though it may seem a burden, do take suitable waterproof layers and warm options. Sun block cream also, for the backs of arms and legs where they are exposed.
Talking of burdens, the heaviest thing in your back pack is going to be water. There are no safe sources of water for refilling a bottle along the route so make sure you have enough for a day of exertion. There is a burn which you cross at Alva Moss, before starting the ascent of Ben Buck, which can be a source of a refill but it is an open water source which may be polluted. If you mean to use this, have sterilisation pills with you.
Amazing as it may seem, for much of the walk you will be able to get good mobile reception. It fluctuates but the sheep have enjoyed a 4G signal for quite a long time. The quality of phone reception may tempt you to use tracking apps and to engage with FaceBook and Twitter en route but these will quickly consume your battery. It is advisable to ensure that at least one of your party has their phone switched off or has no apps running, to conserve power for an emergency, or for the pick up call. You can take additional battery packs but these can be disappointingly short-lived sources of extra power and may be best considered as emergency backups.
As most of the walk is through sheep grazing, if you have a dog with you, it must be on a lead and kept in close control at all times.
Some gates are difficult to open and may need to be climbed over. If so, please climb on the hinge side.
Finally, something which confounds me is that people choose to go for a walk in the hills to enjoy their beauty and to engage with nature and yet they manage to strew their path with bottles, crisp packets and sweet wrappers. Obviously you will not add to the litter but, if you see any, please consider pocketing it and bringing it off the hill. We cannot rely on the Ochil brownies to sort it out.