The 7 Most Amazing Peaks around Balmaghie

Bengairn is a 391m summit overlooking Auchencairn Bay and Rough Firth. With over 150m of prominence it is classified as a Marilyn. Bengairn is usually climbed with its near neighbour Screel Hill which with better paths is easier to get to. To reach Bengairn from Screel Hill you have to find the path, for there is one. You just need to find it.

Screel Hill is a 344m hill overlooking Auchencairn Bay and the Solway Firth with excellent views across to the English Lake District. The excellent path up the east ridge was badly damaged by fallen trees during Storm Arwen in 2021 and these have not been closed so the upper section of the path has been closed. However a new path cuts across to meet the upper path above the damaged section so it is now possible to walk the upper section of the lovely east ridge again.

Bengairn is a 391m hill on the Dumfries and Galloway coast. It is classified as a Marilyn because it has over 150m of prominence. Bengairn is usually climbed with Screel Hill starting from the Forestry car park close to the A711. The path to Bengairn from Screel Hill isn't shown on any map but the start follows the wall below Screel Hill summit then skirts to the north then west of Mid Hill before reaching a gate in the wall at NX 77185 54974. From here there is a clear path to Bengairn summit. Bengairn summit is an even better viewpoint than Screel Hill. You can either return the same way or descend via the north east ridge through appalling long grass and bracken before reaching a lovely track that leads to another gate in the same wall at NX 77849 54576. From here a mapped track leads back to the car park.

Cairnsmore is a mountain in the Galloway Hills. It is 493m high and with a prominence over 150m it is classified as a Marilyn. Cairnsmore may be seen easily from the A712 to the north and east but not from Clatteringshaws to the west. The most common ascent approach is via the Hump Benniguinea to the west, which can be easily reached via forest tracks and paths. The onward route to Cairnsmore looks straightforward but is more challenging in practice. It is considerably easier if you can locate the start of the path on the track bend just before Benniguinea's summit. This path is faint and indistinct in places but following it is massively better than plowing your way through the bog and tussocks. We never could decide if the path had been created by hoards of hillbaggers or herds of hoofless animals. There are a few strategically placed prominent stones and small cairns to help you find it. Losing the path can be demoralising. Cairnsmore is also a very good viewpoint.

Benniguinea with it's radio mast can be seen from Clatteringshaws where there is good parking but no longer a Visitor Centre or toilets. Benniguinea (387m) is easily reached by forest tracks and a path and the summit is a great viewpoint for the area and the route ahead if you are planning to climb Cairnsmore. Benniguinea is 387m high and with a prominence of over 100m it is classified as a Hump.

Although it's only a relatively modest hill, rising straight from sea level it feels like a real mountain. It's a great adventure with kids as only a fairly short walk gets you to a rocky summit with outstanding views over forest and sea

This is a great place to stop and look backward on your climb to Bengairn summit and enjoy the wonderful views across the Solway Firth. There are also some old ruins here, there is no information on the history, but it's a fascinating place to discover on your hike.

Bengairn is a 391-metre summit in the Dumfries and Galloway region of southern Scotland. From the top, you can enjoy panoramic views across the nearby coastal mountains and Solway Firth.