Tak-ma-doon tae Kilsyth

[@WorldAccordingToBriggs]

My family is from here. I have a great uncle in the cemetery. He was only 1 years old when he died. It is weird to see a place I have always heard about.

[@dougiemilnephotography756]

I have a book on walking in the Campsies due out next year. When I was researching, I could find nothing on the etymology of Tak Ma Doon, but like you, I figured that it was probably a drove road. What I did find out was that the drovers would take their cattle along the ridge that leads to Tomtain from Meikle Bin, probably ascending from the Crow Road, or perhaps even further west at Balfron, Killearn or Strathblane. The advantages for them were twofold: the route offered hillside grazing for the cattle, and it avoided the tolls on the roads through Kilsyth, the Carron Valley and Gargunnock (the three routes west to east through the Campsies). But here's the thing: they didn't get to Tak Ma Doon and descend to Kilsyth or Carron Bridge. They continued straight on down the hill, towards Denny and ultimately the Falkirk Tryst. Another interesting snippet is the cairn that you were sitting on (or perhaps one slightly further west, I don't remember). It marks the graves of two Chapmen, or pedlars. According to legend, one killed the other. When the murderer was subsequently executed, around 1750, he was buried beside his victim.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Many thanks for that Dougie. If only those old maps could talk. All the best with the book about walking in the Campsies.

[@jamesrobinson7056]

Another fine job, Ed. I’m a retired photojournalist and I appreciate your sense of composition as well as all the work you put into the vids.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thanks James.

[@MrMaharg65]

“Dapply Dodd” 🤣 Really enjoyed this video. I lived in Kilsyth 30 years ago after getting married & went up Tomtain regularly - brings back memories watching you there.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Cheers Graham.

[@GuzziIan]

Good job Eddie. I've come to realize I've been watching your videos for a few years now and have actually went on some of the walks you have done as I had no idea certain features were there to see locally until you showed the way. You might want to think of putting a guide book together of all the walks you have done, with maps, notes and a listing of your videos to go along with them. A lot of work but it might be rewarding. A good Winter project!

[@EdExploresScotland]

Many thanks. Certainly something to think about.

[@Bellaboo77]

Absolutely agree , this would be a seller Im sure 👍

[@dannystewart9482]

Don't forget the pies. a list of pies is essential.

[@eileanvm]

I love the joy you express toward the end of that walk. No pies today? You did all this on a banana ? Amazing!

[@EdExploresScotland]

Lots of energy in bananas.

[@Pittodrie1977]

Thanks for posting Ed , my wife and I are going do this on Monday. Thanks again . Robert

[@EdExploresScotland]

Cheers Robert. It's not a straightforward walk, and hopefully you're up-to-scratch with maps and such like. The descent, for example, although marked with just one post, was not a path and I ended up all over the place trying to find my way down. So take care.

[@Pittodrie1977]

@@EdExploresScotland Thanks Ed , compass and map at the ready . Watched your Ochill hills video last night, that’s a must !!

[@EdExploresScotland]

Enjoy the hike.

[@davidcurrie8564]

Great Video Ed lived there for 44 years born and bred and climbed that hill many times with my dogs.. I dont miss the rain though!

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thanks 👍

[@johndickie6449]

Eddie! I absolutely loved this video. I live in Kilsyth and regularly say to myself, “I need to walk up they hills” now I don’t need to. Your charming patter & informative chat kept me interested & I was very impressed with the production. Feels cruel criticising your video as for me it is already a 6 stars out of 5 but for when you are talking about the view, don’t be shy, geez us aw a shot! Not too keen on the style of music but very impressed that as well as a video maestro you are a talented musician. I hope you keep well & I look forward to watching more videos. Hope you get more privacy publicly urinating in future. A fan, John. Great video. 🤠

[@EdExploresScotland]

Cheers John. You just can't beat a good dander, even in the rain.

[@thejacobitehiker]

Another great video and great sounds, Ed. Love watching your stuff.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Cheers.👍

[@StevenKinvig-ut9fb]

As ever lovin your work Ed. Only locals would know this. The field and area with the cows are in is known locally as the mairs. My grandad used to say you would get 7 different airs walking the mairs. What they were I will never know !!

[@EdExploresScotland]

Cheers Steven.

[@francoandjimtherotties2592]

I'm up tak ma doon Road every week.......I walk my 2 rottweilers.......head up towards Carron Bridge then towards Carron valley reservoir.....absolutely stunning scenery

[@EdExploresScotland]

Absolutely. I think we sometimes forget that great scenery can be had right on the doorstep.

[@francoandjimtherotties2592]

@@EdExploresScotland honestly I love it up there.....I was up the earlsburn waterfall on Monday....had to keep dogs on lead as too many sheep,drove down to reservoir and let then run about there.....this is all 15/30 mins from my house....brilliant

[@andyp9040]

Great video again eddie! There are great views from the top of the tak me doon road- im local and used to go over that road on my motorbike but now avoid it due to the poor road surface and idiot drivers that come round the wrong side of the road on blind bends! Hope youre feeling better!

[@EdExploresScotland]

Cheers Andy. The road certainly seems to be getting a tad narrower due to erosion at its edges. But, as you say, great views. Take care.

[@robertwright4651]

Fantastic Ed spectacular scenery great walk

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thanks Robert. It was just one of those superb days.

[@craigwatson9320]

Shame you never went up to that cave, (it is actually a cave but the entrance is at ground level once you get there, my auld friend Jimmy Beattie did some great stone carvings up and down the Garrell burn and one of the faces/ busts was up in that cave. We used to sit there and play the guitars and have a fire and a few beers, good memories 😊

[@EdExploresScotland]

It was very slippy if my memory serves me well.

[@moeszyslak7304]

Great video Ed. How about making a video about the Polmadie Martyrs ??

[@EdExploresScotland]

Many thanks. I'll certainly have a look at that subject.

[@moeszyslak7304]

@@EdExploresScotland their grave stone is worth going to see, may need to hop over the wall (at the lower parts) if the gate is locked. Then pop into the Old Smiddy Pub for a pint. Also a historic Castle local u can go see nearby.

[@heatherbruce4496]

You should have walked the antonine wall while there ed ❤

[@williammartin5734]

Interesting walk. I'm thinking the Tak ma doon road is simply the road to Takmidown? Thcoughts please.

[@EdExploresScotland]

I made that video a while back. If my memory serves me well it was unclear what the name Takmidoon on the older map was actually referring to. It looked as if it was positioned either beside a small hill or a section of road. There may have been a steading with that name sometime in the past at that location, but I don't know. Whatever the name was once associated with, the location is the highest point on that road between Kilsyth and the Carron Bridge, so whichever way you go from there, it's down.

[@eddiefromglasgow]

i stay at the bottom next to millers garage

[@DavidBrown-ky9cw]

Ed you are right to be wary of cows with young calves,stay safe

[@EdExploresScotland]

Absolutely. Thanks David.

[@rosaliehagart1888]

Ma dad's hame toon