Steven Fallon Scottish Mountain Routes
Steven Fallon Scottish Mountain Routes
tinto 
 

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peaks Tinto (707m, Donald/Graham)

ascent 455m (1,500ft)
distance 5km (3m)
time running : 35mins, walking : 2hr*
 *Naismith's rule : 4km/h distance + 600m/h ascent

profile
location view map of location

start/finish Wiston (grid ref : NS957322)

maps/guides  This area is covered by 1 OS Landranger 1:50000 or 1 OS Explorer 1:25000 map :

OS Landranger 72 - click to buy from Amazon OS Explorer 336 - click to buy from Amazon Pocket Mountains - Southern Uplands - click to buy from Amazon

GPX data download a GPX file of the main route

terrain
easy Mianly grass with some scree higher up difficult
navigation
easy Obvious - paths and fences to follow testing
effort
stroll Easy stroll long day
scenery
ok Fine views in all directions stunning

images

view photos of the route and hills



main route summary
Tinto sits alone above the Clyde Valley and as such affords stunning views in all directions from its huge untidy cairn. It is straightforward to ascend from the south or north, but the southern approach is prefered choice due to its quietness and lack of boot traffic.


main route outline

Getting to Wiston
Halfway between Abington Services (just off the M74) and Biggar on the A73/A72, the B7055 heads north-west. Drive along this, winding past several houses until you reach the entrance of Winston Lodge. There is space to park a couple of cars here. Alternatively, with permission, you can park in the lodge's grounds.

Tinto
Walk into the lodge grounds on the track and head north, keeping the lodge on your right-hand side. The slightly mucky track passes a house on your left and comes to a waterboard hut, where there is a slightly hidden sign pointing the route up to Tinto. Follow the edge of a forest up a couple of fields with occasional sodden ground. Beyond the forest and on a path, start climbing up grassy ground. The path starts to zig-zag and enters heather, leave it and head for a double fence-line ahead. Keeping to the fence-line avoids some scree and therefore causing undue errosion. Follow the fence-line to the summit with its trig-point, huge cairn and vast panorama.

Return
Return by the same route, taking in the vast views as you descend.


It's not just hillwalkers on Tinto !

Click to view the route on zoomable OS 1:50000 maps and aerial photos
Relevant area weblinks
Weather Local, Region and National
Nearest webcam Symington Weather webcam
Accommodation and food The Crown Hotel, Biggar
Local information Biggar Little Festival
Other Symington Weather Station
Wiston Lodge

Other nearby routes
South-east Above Tweedsmuir
North-east Pentlands
East Culter Fell



Alternative



Race route : Tinto from the north
Distance : 7km, ascent : 460m
The race route is also the most popular approach to the hill. Taking place in November, this a popular hillrace (260 took part in 2008) is organised by Carnethy Hill Running Club. The race route starts from a car-park area to the north of Tinto on a normally quiet back-road heading south-west from the A73, just outside of Thankerton. The route couldn't be more obvious - a well worn path heads south from the car-park and climbs gradually up the hill. There is a split in the path at around c550m, but it doesn't matter which branch is taken, both end up together for the last 100m climb to the summit (runners on the race tend to take the right (west) fork).

More details on the Scottish Hill Runners, Scottish Hill Racing or Carnethy Hillrunning Club websites

Click to view the route on zoomable OS 1:50000 maps and aerial photos





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