Cameron Reservoir and Drumcarrow Craig
A circular walk from Cameron Reservoir to Drumcarrow Craig and its broch. As an option a visit to Denork Hill Fort can also be included before heading back to the reservoir. An optional circuit of the reservoir can be included at the end.
There are numerous gates on this walk but most are easily openable. The exceptions tend to be in the area of Denork Fort which can be omitted.
Distance: 14.5 km / 9 miles (approx 11 km without optional reservoir loop)
Ascent: 180 m / 590 feet
Terrain: paths (unsurfaced), tracks, off path on grassy terrain
Start / finish: Cameron Reservoir car park, grid ref NO 479 113, accessed from A915.
Facilities: free parking
Cameron Reservoir
Drumcarrow Craig
Commence the walk by walking south across the dam and following the footpaths on the south of the reservoir in a clockwise direction. When you reach the western end of the reservoir cross the small bridge over the inlet and turn left.
After about 250m a gate on your right provides access to the adjoining field. Cross the grass field in a north west direction to reach another gate where you meet the start of a track. Follow this track northwards as it becomes more obvious on the ground. After 1km it turns right towards Cassindonald Farm. Turn left at the farm on to a surfaced access road to walk out to the public road.jDrumcarrow Craig is now very obvious in front of you.
On meeting the road turn right, and then immediately left at the junction to reach the start of the track up Drumcarrow Craig to your right. Squeeze round the gate and follow the signposted track up the hill towards the summit communications masts. The 218m summit is lumpy and bumpy and worth exploring. There is a cairn and trig point at the highest point and the site of the Drumcarrow Broch can be seen. Watch out for an electrified fence in the summit area. It is fortunately, easy to crawl underneath it. As well as the main summit there is also the western top which is easy to reach.
An optional visit to Denork Hill Fort is now possible but this does entail some rough ground and gate climbing.
For an easier option return to the road using your outward route. On reaching the road turn left for 700m to reach the junction at Denhead Old Farm.
To include Denork, go northwards down the hill (avoiding the steepest ground) to reach a field gate into the grass field to the north. Walk round or cross the field to reach the north east corner next to the forest plantation. The barb wire fence to the forest can easily be negotiated at this point where it is a bit damaged. Make your way through the trees to northern side. You may need to "fight" a bit to exit the trees. Once out of the trees you will be greeted by the sight of a small reservoir and Dunork Craig to the right of it.
A rough path can now be followed round to the right over boggy ground and up to the summit. Leave the summit on a rough path to the east and follow it around the edge of the trees (the trees should be to your right). Keep the trees to your right as you follow a field edge, until you reach an obvious farm track. The track provides an easy walk out to the public road to the east. Turn right on the road and follow it 450m to reach the road junction at Denhead Old Farm.
From the road junction a signposted track leads south east back to the reservoir. When the track becomes a path keep left to avoid the gorse bushes and follow the field edge (gorse bushes to your right). Keep straight on when you reach the crossroads, back to the vicinity of the car park.
You could terminate the walk at this point, but if you still have sufficient energy you can do a loop around the reservoir which will take you about 1 hour.
View / download this route from Ordnance Survey
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