Lilly Loch and Hillend Reservoir
Date: 02 August 2026
Leader: Idris
Grade: C+
Number on walk: 12
Length: 16 km. Ascent: 290 m.
Hills climbed: None.
Click here for GPX track of the walk Note: The track leading to Spiers Island and back is not a GPX anomaly but due to the very low water level we walked to island and back.
After leaving Caldercruix we followed the access track to Lilly Loch. The high-power (100kW) radio and TV transmitters on Black Hill are obvious on the skyline.
When we reached the small cairn on the top of the Moffat Hills we had our morning break.
Following paths was difficult due to the tall grasses and wildflowers.
Although this was a pleasant rural landscape there were several features reminding us that this was once a coal mining area. The spoil tips of Ardenrigg Colliery, opened in 1926 and closed in 1963 after only 37 years are visible in this view from near Wester Braco.
As we returned to Lilly Loch the Campsie Fells’ with Meikle Bin prominent, could be seen in the distance.
Our lunch break was taken on the shore of Lily Loch.
After passing Lilly Loch, we followed the shore of Hillend Reservoir and made an unplanned excursion to Spiers Island. Normally surrounded by water, Spiers Island was accessible on foot because the reservoir level was low.