Miles Hutchinson: I suggest anyone thinking of bagging this hill from Ballintuim in Strathardle, via Loch Charles, should first contact Ian Petrie at Woodhill farm. They shoot fallow deer in April. I planned to make this my 700th Marilyn in April 2005, but had to settle for Hill of Persie instead. However, when I phoned the next weekend I was given the OK.
Andrew Dempster: A thoroughly pleasant walk up Carleatheran, with the Wallace monument in Stirling thrusting up through the cloud inversion, was somewhat marred on the descent SW from Lees Hill when I came across two signs saying 'Wildlife and conservation area - please keep out'. I removed both signs and wondered if the landowner had heard of the new access legislation in Scotland. Anyone strictly observing these notices would be denied the highly agreeable traverse from Stronend to Carleatheran. Surely these hills are not meant to be a no-go area for walkers? There were countless sheep dotted everywhere - are they part of the wildlife? If anyone can throw any light on this I'd be glad to hear from them.
Colin Wilson: This hill would be OK were it not for the fact that whoever owns it has seen fit to turn it into some kind of weird exotic zoo, and is doing his level best to stop all public access by putting up high fences all the way round the hill. Apparently the locals are pretty upset about this, and the Council has also warned him that he is breaking the law, so the situation may change.
Graham Bunn: Walking in along the track from the road, we were stopped by two men in a car. They drove across the track to ensure we couldn't pass and wound the window down. The conversation with the younger man went something like this:
'What you doing?' ... 'Going for a walk'
'This isn't a footpath' ... 'There is one marked on the map'
'Well don't go through the yard then'
He clarified that he meant don't go through the farm, and drove off. The right of way goes on a track above the farm anyway. After passing the farm, signs had been broken off a post, including one that said 'walkers welcome'. Obviously walkers are not welcomed by everyone around here.
