Where do I park for Duncolm?

Standard parking is at NS 472 740. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.

When is the best time to climb Duncolm?

The standard good-weather months for Duncolm are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.

Can I bring my dog up Duncolm?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.

Where do I park for Duncolm?

Standard parking is at NS 472 740. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.

When is the best time to climb Duncolm?

The standard good-weather months for Duncolm are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.

Can I bring my dog up Duncolm?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.

By Gary Innes

Photo: Thomas Nugent / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · ochils

Duncolm

Duncolm is the highest of the Kilpatrick Hills above the Clyde at NS47, a 401m basalt summit overlooking Old Kilpatrick, Bowling and the river. Reservoirs dot the moor and views stretch to Loch Lomond and Ben Lomond.

Quick facts

Height: 401.1m/ 1316ft
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NS 47085 77486
Parking: NS 472 740
Nearest city: Glasgow· 17km
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

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Standard route

volcanic basalt 45% · heather moorland 35% · grass slopes 20%

GPX needed

Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

Walk in from Greenside Reservoir car park near Old Kilpatrick, following the reservoir track north onto the open moor. A faint quad track crosses the bog to gain the rocky summit and OS pillar.

Terrain

Pathless heather and peat hags between the reservoirs, with rougher tussocks on the final pull. Best walked after dry weather to avoid the worst of the bog.

In winter

Low Kilpatricks rarely see lasting snow but the peat plateau ices over and stays cold. The reservoir tracks remain usable through most of winter.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow1h 35m
Edinburgh3h 16m

Parking: NS 472 740

OS maps: OS Landranger 64, OS Explorer 0038, OS Explorer 347

Mobile signal: Good. Central belt north of Glasgow; EE reliable.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

19h 39mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 04:31
Sunset: 22:06
Civil dawn: 03:29
Civil dusk: 23:08

NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026

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Around Duncolm on the SCOT network

Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Balloch station

South Loch Lomond — WHW start at Drymen / Conic Hill

9km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Luss

West Loch Lomond village — Highland Boundary, Loch Lomond Way

19km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TasteSCOT

distillery

After the hill: Auchentoshan

Clydebank — Scotland's only triple-distilled single malt; 10 min from Glasgow

5km from the hill

tastescot.co.uk

Duncolm — common questions

How hard is Duncolm?: Duncolm is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Pathless heather and peat hags between the reservoirs, with rougher tussocks on the final pull.
Where do I park for Duncolm?: Standard parking is at NS 472 740. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
When is the best time to climb Duncolm?: The standard good-weather months for Duncolm are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.
Can I bring my dog up Duncolm?: Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.
Is there mobile signal on Duncolm?: Good. Central belt north of Glasgow; EE reliable.
Is Duncolm safe in winter?: Low Kilpatricks rarely see lasting snow but the peat plateau ices over and stays cold. The reservoir tracks remain usable through most of winter.

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