For the second hike in three days, three of the Brothers head off to climb Dunsinane (including the hill fort) and King’s Seat.
By Ian
15th March 2022
The second outing in 3 days was a short walk from Collace to Kings Seat via Dunsinane and Black Hill.
There were 3 brothers today; Steve, Neil and me.
Dunsinane Hill
It was approaching 10am when we left the car and were soon making our way steeply uphill through the whins as we was climbed Dunsinane Hill. Given the name, everyone was thinking of The Scottish Play, and trying to remember quotes from the text.
At the summit we stopped for photos and to survey the panorama.
Dunsinane has the scars of earthworks that were a Pictish fort in times gone. Were this to be in the South East of England it would be a major tourist attraction but here is sits quietly in the landscape seen by the few walkers who pass this way. Given the route to the summit that is not a big number.
Our next summit was Black Hill, which has 3 peaks, so we climbed them all. The going was steep in places both uphill and downhill. The paths are narrow but easily passable.
Soon we were heading down into the bogs that lie between Black Hill and Kings Seat. The low level glack between them is a virtual sponge for water running off both hills. We squelched our way on and were soon on higher ground again, and facing a short sharp steep climb onto the shoulder of King’s Seat which would lead us to the summit.
King’s Seat
After a walk of about 90 minutes we were at the trig point and cairn that mark the summit. Good views round the 360 degrees of the compass; the Tay estuary, The Lomonds, Schiehallion and the Vale of Strathmore.
Time for another quick photo opportunity before retracing our steps. We found a vehicle track that guided us back to lower ground.
At the foot of the hill we needed to cross a stile which usefully (not) had two strands of barbed wire above it. It was a three-man job to cross; two holding down the offending barbs while the third climbed over. Great teamwork from the Brothers which avoided a lengthy detour or worse; painful lacerations where it really hurts.
For the final part of the walk we had a choice of going low through fields, or higher and round a forest. We chose the forest route which necessitated a number of climbs over gates. There was also a couple of burns and a fair few areas of boggy ground.
One such boggy area has the grand title of Macbeth’s Well. Not sure if that is a statement of optimism, fake news, or an alternative ending to the Bard’s play.
We regained the car almost exactly 3 hours after departure and just under 5 miles travelled.
A nice walk, not too challenging, and thankfully completed in reasonable weather.