Midway between Glasgow and Edinburgh on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth, West Lothian has a surprising number of country parks, craggy hills and wildlife havens and is home to several prehistoric burial sites, ruined castles and palaces and stately homes as well as the remains of the Antonine Wall, the Roman Empire's northernmost frontier. Although the area is predominantly rural there were also extensive coal, iron and shale oil mining operations in the 18th and 19th centuries which left behind distinctive red spoil heaps, or bings, as they are known in Scotland, and the Union Canal...

The Campsie Fells, along with the Kilpatrick, Kilsyth, Fintry and Gargunnock Hills, form a sprawling upland range which stretches eastwards from Dumbarton, passing to the north of the city of Glasgow and across the narrow waist of Scotland towards Stirling. It is often said that Glasgow is one of the easiest cities to get away from and the Campsies and the Kilpatrick Hills, a few short miles north of the city, are the first port of call. This guide covers all of the major hills within both ranges, as well as low-level walks around and between the villages which lie on their perimeters....