…and a bus ride and bit of a walk, too.
Holy, Batman, I needed to get out! After being sick for three-weeks, I was yearning for hills, pastures, green stuff, or just about anything to get away from the city. Don’t get me wrong; I like Dundee, but I also love the hills and being far removed from droves of people.
After spending a lazy Saturday with my partner, we decided to head out Sunday for the Sidlaws. As neither of us had a vehicle, the logistics in getting there became a wee bit more complicated, but nothing we couldn’t handle.
We hopped the #20 Stagecoach bus at Dundee Forum Centre to Tealing and then walked about 3-miles to Balkello Community Woodland for the start of our easy hillwalk. We chose not to loop back around to Balkello (not having a car made that an easy decision) and instead ambled our way up Auchterhouse Hill, over to Balluderon Hill to have a quick snack at the Syd Scroggie cairn, then off to Craigowl Hill before descending to an easily spotted lane. This cut took off about 1-1.5 miles of additional walking.
Unfortunately, Sunday timetables have the #20 Stagecoaches running about once an hour and we missed one by 5-minutes. The temperature was dropping so we donned our warmer gear and spent some quality time in the bus stop, haha!
This is a fun little half-day (if that) out into hills that are no more than 5-miles from Dundee Centre, and one I’d recommend for beginners or those who just want a leg stretch. It’s difficult to get lost as you can see Dundee from the hills.
We highly recommend topping the jaunt off with a hot chocolate, hot cup of tea, or a dram of whisky during the autumn and winter months.
Very impressed you got to the Sidlaws on public transport and delighted you enjoyed your walk through our little village to Craigowl – haste ye back! www.tealingvillage.org @tealingvillage Facebook Tealing Community Council
A little perseverance goes a long way when you want out onto a hill, haha! It was a beautiful village to walk through; we even met a friendly young Clydesdale (I think he was a Clyde, but I could be wrong) who thought we were the bees knees 🙂 I’ll definitely be back!
Lovely. I’ve been a fan of the Sidlaws for years. I miss them. Thank you!
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Hopefully you will find yourself back on them soon 🙂