4: Romancing the Bunnet Stane (West Lomond Hill)
Dare you jump on the mushroom rock…? Officially known as the Bunnet Stane.
Visit the Maiden Bower cave of the broken-hearted hermit
9km (5.6 miles) circular hill walk (384m ascent)
Should take about 4 hours of walking to do the whole circular route. Could be shortened - if needed.
Getting to the Start
Nearest postcode for the starting point is KY14 7RR, which is about 45 minutes drives from Edinburgh. You’ll drive through the small village of Gateside. Once you have entered Gateside follow the main thoroughfare down the hill and as the road begins to rise again you are looking for a road on your left called Station Road (It is the last main turning on your left before exiting the village). Turn left at Station Road and follow the road to its end (approximately three quarters of a mile). Turn right here and after a very short distance you will see the signs for 'The Bunnet Stane'. There is a very small car park at the side of the road which only has space for about 5 vehicles. If the car park is full, keep driving for a bout 1.75km and there’s another place to park. The circular walk is the same stance - you’ll just cut short the return route slightly.
Using Public Transport?
Get the Perth train from Edinburgh Waverly and get off at Ladybank. Walk to the bus stop on Pitlessie Road and get the 66 to Kinross. Stay on the bus for about 20 minutes (22 stops!) and get off at the Primary School in Gateside. It’s a short walk to the start from there.
Highlights
The Maiden Bower Cave
You can get inside this cave and have a look around. It’s very close tot he Bunnet Stane. There’s romantic history attached this this cave… Many years ago a boy and girl from rival farms fell in love and would meet in secret at this cave. The girl's father found out and had his men lie in wait for the boy and killed him!! The girl was heartbroken and never returned to her family but remained at the cave as a recluse/hermit until she passed away.
The Bunnet Stane
A rock formation close to the start of the walk, where erosion has caused a portion of the elevated table of rock to form a thin column of rock supporting a fan shaped strata so that it looks like a giant mushroom. Climbing the rock is quite easy from the back. The Bunnet Stane itself is separated by around 1 metre and we were not able to get on it. However, we have seen photographs of people standing on it.
Incredible Views
At various parts of this walk, you’ll see fantastic views of Loch Leven, Ochils, Arthur’s Seat, Bass Rock and most of Fife.
Walk Description
From the Bunnet Stane car park, follow the grassy track between fields. You’ll see West Lomond Hill ahead of you.
The mushroom stone will eventually become clear in your view, you’ll finally pass through a gate and head up through the grassy field to the Bunnet Stane. We took some time here to explore and have a picnic. The Maiden’s Bower is here too.
Leave the Bunnet Stane and head up to the top left corner of the field. Follow a path that continues to climb uphill diagonally across the slope to the left.
Cross a stile and keep going up! There are superb views looking back over the Bunnet Stane. It will get steep here - keep going…
Eventually the path meets the main path. At this junction, turn sharp right along this much clearer path.
Soon after the path splits with a steeper route heading directly for the summit. Continue on the main track to the right as this gives a gentler ascent with better views and the direct path is causing erosion.
Look out for the large cairn, which signals the summit. Great views and get ready for your descent.
Follow a grassy path towards Loch Leven (south west direction) and eventually reaches a stile over a stone wall. Cross this and follow the faint path down to a clearer path that runs to the left. It will be a bit boggy, but eventually meets the main path running from the Harper Lees reservoir to Glen Vale.
Turn right down this main path and down through Glen Vale to the footbridge, a small patch of woodland and eventually a tarmac lane.
Turn right along this lane to return to the start - with great views of West Lomond on your right.
TOP TIPS
If you have a younger family, or don’t fancy the whole circular walk, you could easily walk to the Bunnet Stane and back. this would be a walk of about 1 hour and little climbing. Still lots of explore in the caves, etc.
You can drop in via Kinross on your way and enjoy delicious coffee and food at Unorthodox Roasters on Kinross High Street.
