Location: Campsie
Fells, north of Glasgow
Map: OS Landranger 57, 64 ( GR 672 859 )
Distance: 7 miles / 11 km]
Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Terrain: waymarked paths This finely
proportioned hill is the second highest summit in the Campsie Fells and
one of the most prominent.
It's a ralher secretive hill, though - from the south its lower flanks
are screened by the broad Campsie escarpment, so only the summit can be
seen above the undulating moorland. It is from the east, where the
moorland
falls rapidly to the Carron Valley, that Meikle Bin makes its presence
felt.
Forestry covers much of the upper Carron Valley and the associated
tracks make an ascent of Meikle Bin a straightforward outing well
suited to young walkers. The scenery on route is surprisingly open and
attractive and
the summit views are spectacular, from Glasgow to Edinburgh in the
south and the whole front range of the Highland boundary to the north.
Start from a small car park on the south side of the B818 at the west
end of Carron Valley Reservoir opposite the access road to Todholes
Farm and the new wind farm. Follow the track south along the reservoir
with increasing views to Meikle Bin to cross a small bridge over the
River Carron. Turn right at the next junction and follow the track
southwest towards
Meilke Bin and away from the reservoir.
This track climbs steadily with good views north to the wind turbines
and north~west along the Campsies to the Luss Hills above Loch Lomond.
Pass a turning on the right, then turn right at the Y-junction shortly
afterwards, heading straight towards the right-hand ridge of Meikle Bin
rising from the forest. The track passes Little Bin on the left and
leads round onto Meikle Bin's ridge where a footpath leaves the track,
just before a grassy layby. Pass through trees to gain the open
hillside and follow
the path to the summit trig point ( 570m ). A short diversion can be
made off to the right to see the wing section of a Fairey Firefly that
crashed here in 1950.
After admiring the view, many will be happy to return by the line of
ascent, but you can continue a circuit of Meikle Bin to the south,
although the route can be boggy at the start and will only suit
hillwalkers used to this sort of terrain.
To continue the circuit, descend southwards on a path to the forest
edge passing over a drainage ditch, then a second one with
desperately slippery wooden sleepers ( these are best avoided ). About
10 paces
after this, a fire break goes off to the left with an initially vague
path. This soon becomes clearer with some boggy sections through the
forest, although
much of this can be avoided by diversions between the trees on the
right, to exit at a felled area and the start of a track.
Follow the track down, ignoring turnings to the left to meet the main
track round the reservoir at a Y-junction. Turn left, pass over a new
bridge,
and follow the track round the south side of the reservoir to the car
park. The diversion adds two miles to the trip and will increase the
journey time to some three and a half hours.
:: Dumgoyne
& Campsie Fells Gallery 
