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On our second trip to Scotland to continue our Munro goal, we decided to start with an ‘easier’ Munro, although one could ask whether an easy Munro exists at all. We started at the Inveruglas car park from which also Loch Lomond cruises depart. We didn’t have enough time that day, but certainly we must come back to do a cruise around the Loch. The views of Loch Lomond were amazing and we started to fantasize how this beautiful environment would look from the water. Yet not today, because we were on a mission to climb Ben Vorlich and make it back in time to go to a camping spot.
- Loch Lomond Cruises
We walked past a power station and quickly turned right to make our way towards the starting point. We had to walk quite a bit over a tarmac road with a field containing sheep on the side. Soon we arrived at the splitting point. Another couple who walked with us in the beginning decided to go left towards Ben Vane. Where the sheep would follow, we were masters of our own fate that day and started to walk towards Loch Sloy dam.
- Walking on the tarmac road
Some clear steps appeared on the right side of the road and the climb would start. The peaks were completely covered in clouds and I am still debating whether it was a good or a bad sign that we couldn’t see how far we had to go. We were optimistic, but later on found that indeed there is no such thing as an easy Munro. After an intense climb we met some fellow walkers along the way and we sort of climbed up together. Because we were surrounded by clouds we could only hear them from time to time, but it still felt like we were completely alone.
- Going up the stairs of Ben Vorlich
- Dissapearing into the clouds
- 'Alone' in the clouds
After a well deserved break they had passed us again and when later on we were hesitant to make a right turn or follow a path that seemed to go straight, we decided to follow them. As it turned out we were not so different from the sheep after all. Soon we all found out we went into the wrong direction, but this time we came prepared and had an app for navigation (all trails), so we could climb up towards the right path and followed our way. We made it to the top and even though we didn’t have a view it was still a great feeling to be up there!
- The top of Ben Vorlich
We started to descend and Scotland welcomed us with open arms again as the clouds started to disappear. On the way back we were spoiled with magnificent views over Loch Lomond. After a nice and satisfying walk back to the car we decided to drive to Tyndrum and found a lovely campsite over there next to the West Highland Way. Although next time we would most likely stay at Beinglas campsite next to Drovers in, which is just a bit closer and provides the opportunity to tackle on of the other Munro’s in the Arrochar Alps or of course Beinn Chabhair which starts right there at the campsite. All in all a lot of steps, a magnificent experience, and a well deserved pint and cider to finish a fantastic first day again.
- On the way down with views over Loch Lomond
- Our camp spot in Tyndrum
- The well deserved drinks
5 down, 277 to go!