Kaim Hill, Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park

This circular route offers outstanding views of the Firth of Clyde – on a clear day the views to Great Cumbrae, Wee Cumbrae, Arran and Ailsa Craig, make it well worth the walk to the summit. Whatever the weather there are fascinating Neolithic rock markings and remains of an old millstone quarry.

Technical sheet

n°40953891
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Caution, this route is Very difficult

This route requires a long and/or intense effort, either because of the difference in altitude or the distance involved, or both. In certain situations, there is also the possibility of technical and aerial sections.

  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.27 km
  • ◔
    Author’s time: 4 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Very difficult
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 400 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 399 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 380 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 15 m
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Description

Start: Fairlie Railway Station (KA29 0DX) Grid ref. NS 210 546

(S/E) Starting at Fairlie Railway station take the footpath North out of the car park turn to the right to pass in front of the cottage going into the woods to follow the path to Fairlie Castle (Grid ref. 204 549).

(1) Continue on the gravel track. Take the opportunity to visit the Water of Fairlie Glen Falls before continuing on the path out of the woods. Walk 1.4 Km alongside Fairlie Burn.

(2) Follow the fence to the summit of Lairdside Hill (Grid ref. 231 542).

(3) Walk West, cross the fence and head towards grouse butts curving round to make your way up to the trig point on Kaim Hill (387m) (Grid ref. 228 534).

(4) Descending from Kaim Hill it is worth the slight detour to see the old quarry (Grid ref. 220 532). Be careful to avoid the rocky outcrops. Follow the beaten path to Black Hill (Grid ref. 215 531).

(5) Then take the track South to Glenside Wood (Grid ref. 214 526) before turning North onto Diamond Hill (Grid ref. 213 539) to see the stone cup and ring marks.

(6) Make your way to Fairlie Glen and cross the footbridge. Follow the track and path down past the castle back to the train station. (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 15 m - Fairlie Railway Station
  2. 1 : km 0.42 - alt. 60 m - Fairlie Castle - Gravel track
  3. 2 : km 2.22 - alt. 287 m - Fence - Towards summit of Lairdside Hill
  4. 3 : km 2.67 - alt. 326 m - Summit of Lairdside Hill
  5. 4 : km 3.86 - alt. 380 m - Kaim Hill (387m)
  6. 5 : km 6.68 - alt. 191 m - Black Hill
  7. 6 : km 7.52 - alt. 138 m - Diamond Hill
  8. S/E : km 9.27 - alt. 18 m - Fairlie Railway Station

Practical information

Start: Fairlie Railway Station (KA29 0DX) Grid ref. NS 210 546

Alternative start: This route can also be walked from the Dalry Moor road. Park in layby to the east of Glenside Woods.

Maps: OS Map 1:25000 Explorer 341 or 1:50000 Landranger 63

Terrain: Initially on gravel path but ends up on open moor and mud tracks. Burn and fence crossings required. Boggy conditions underfoot on moor.
⚠️ Map and compass skills are essential as low cloud cover can envelop rapidly.

In the nearby area

Fairlie Castle is a roofless tower castle built in 1521, it overlooks the steep and wooded Fairlie Glen.

Kaim Hill Quarry produced excellent quality millstones. A product that was sent all over Britain and exported to the West Indies, America and Australia from the early 18th century.

Cup and Ring Markings may have been a form of prehistoric art although their original significance is still unknown. The cup marks with rings, similar to ripples on water can be seen on a slab of rock.

Birds: Keep a look out for birds such as hen harrier, raven, buzzard and skylark that are likely to be spotted in and around the moorland landscape.

Vegetation: thyme, tormentil, cotton grass, bog asphodel and sphagnum moss.

Reviews and comments

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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.