THE TRANSOCHILATOR

You can descend Ben Cleuch, heading east, on either side of the fence but, for this route, I favour getting over the fence at the top of Cleuch and following it on the north side of the wire. [NB. If you decide against completing the walk, you can follow the path to Tillicoultry on the south side of the wire]. You can choose either path heading towards Andrew Gannel Hill but if you stick with the fence it will lead you to the summit and then onward, down to Maddy Moss and Skythorn Hill.

Again keeping an eye on fence lines, the route from Skythorn should take you to the top of Cairnmorris Hill. Looking east from here you will see the descent to the fence crossing and the steep path up the face of Tarmangie Hill. Going to the top of Cairnmorris is to include it in the tally but, just before Cairnmorris the path bifurcates with the one on the right going to Tarmangie. If you choose to go on to the top of Cairnmorris (one path takes you directly there) you should retrace your steps to avoid the crossing of rough ground the direct line to Tarmangie would entail. If you continue straight on from the top of Cairnmorris you will come to another junction where you can turn right, to go back towards Tarmangie, to avoid the rough ground.

The first part of the path up the side of Tarmangie is a stiff climb, so if you need to take an escape route, you can go north east from Cairnmorris Hill and follow the path to Scad Hill, Mailer's Knowe and onwards, towards Ben Shee.

At the base of Ben Shee you can follow The Woodlands Trust path left, down to Frandy and the waterboard road for the Glendevon Reservoirs. Optionally you can keep going round the base of the Ben Shee knob or shark fin, depending on the view point and follow the track down to Glen Sherup Farm and thence to the A823.

If you take the path down to the water board road at Frandy, be aware that it involves crossing the Frandy Burn. I have been on at the Woodlands Trust for years about the folly of creating a signposted path which leads to such a difficult crossing. I have offered to help them to build a simple bridge but they said that they were unable to get the necessary consent from the landowner. If you are not young and nimble I suggest going the Glen Sherup way.

The other escape route option is to follow the path down the Glen of Sorrow to Castle Campbell and Dollar, or follow the same route but detour left into Glen Quey and thence to the Tormaukin.

At the top of Tarmangie, [ ///tolerable.coil.rocked ] the path leads east on fairly level ground to the top of Whitewisp Hill [ ///nodded.wiring.hillsides ]. The views of Loch Leven and Fife generally can be impressive, with the distinct forms of the Lomond Hills looking like you may never have seen them before. Keep looking over your shoulder on this stage too, towards the sinking sun and some spectacular illuminations of the mountains in the west.