The Call of the Campsies (1946)

Reminiscences

The Campsies have a special place in the hearts of many and not only in the villages that fringe them. For Scots flying back into Glasgow Airport, the familiar silhouette of Dumgoyne means “I’m coming home!”. For many Glaswegians, they are the nearest place for a decent hillwalk. In the past, those too poor to take the bus to Strathblane would simply walk out from Partick or Maryhill for a chance to climb Dumgoyne or admire the views from the Earl’s Seat and enjoy some fresh air.

That spirit is well captured in Call of the Campsies, a 10-minute film of hillwalking through the Campsies with the Scottish Countryside Club. It was made by David Sime, the club’s president, in 1946. A cheery group set out from Milngavie and, undeterred by the lack of beer at the Kirkhouse Inn, set off for Ballagan Spout. Later they share a picnic and climb to the summit of the Earl’s Seat. The film is free to view on the National Library of Scotland’s Moving Image Archive website. https://movingimage.nls.uk/film/4340?search_term=call%20Campsies&search_join_type=AND&search_fuzzy=yes

See also Campsie Capers by Bob Sharp

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