Stay at home

[soulminer]

Strange title for this report, but there is a sting in the tail.
Set off early as the forcast was for sunshine at 0900 Parked in car park opposite the Power Station, pulled on the boots and the gaiters and set off down the road. I have been on Ben Vane twice before,and as with today have never been able to pass through the gate with a winter bag . So once again i had to climb over- next time the bu**er comes off the hinges
The sky was looking good already with glimpses of amber edging the hills ahead

A'Chrois and Vane


IMGP0070 by BoydBlair, on Flickr


IMGP0071 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

A little further up the sun was peering out from behind the Lomond Hills


IMGP0073 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

This was useful as it pointed the way ahead


IMGP0074 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

The views were pleasant enough surrounding me


IMGP0076 by BoydBlair, on Flickr


IMGP0077 by BoydBlair, on Flickr


IMGP0078 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

The view of the Dam was particularly fine

IMGP0079 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

Elected to wear my crampons as I reached the cave, as the path up had been quite a challenge Had to walk up mostly on virgin snow beside the path.
Strode on up taking in all around me. The Ice sculpture and the animal tracks.



IMGP0082 by BoydBlair, on Flickr


IMGP0083 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

The route ahead


IMGP0090 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

Watching the cloud build up over Vorlich and through the gaps to the back. Was it to be glorious all day ?


IMGP0089 by BoydBlair, on Flickr


IMGP0091 by BoydBlair, on Flickr



IMGP0093 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

Not looking good, the wind was steadily increasing and the sky was darkening


IMGP0094 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

The summit reached and the snow was starting to fall from the wind swept and swirling clouds


IMGP0098 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

As quick as it appeared, it vanished with blue skies shining through


IMGP0101 by BoydBlair, on Flickr


IMGP0102 by BoydBlair, on Flickr


IMGP0106 by BoydBlair, on Flickr


IMGP0107 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

Fuelled by caffeine and- excuse the use of Talking Heads lyrics, 'living on nuts and berries' I headed for the path back down, the same one I had blazed on the way up

Some more of Natures' Art Work


IMGP0111 by BoydBlair, on Flickr


IMGP0112 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

Met a few other intrepid explorers on the way down, out to sample all my sunshine

I did mention at the top of this report- a sting in the tail. Happy-Happy -Joy -Joy day was turned on its head by 4 idiots According to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code all dogs should be under strict control on a lead- a couple of walkers I met were following this to the letter. But, just on a rise beside the Generator bounded a sheep with a Golden Retriever in hot pursuit. Right in front of me the dog sank its teeth into the rear of the sheep getting a mouthful of wool and carried on the pursuit towards the river. Around the bend strolls two 'men' and their 'wives' calling for their dog. I sort of lost the plot with the clowns, especially as the 'Head Balloon' refused to believe his timid little doggie wouldn't do such a thing I pointed the way towards the racket that was being made down by the river,sounded like his dog may have fallen down into the river and been hurt. I felt sorry for the animal, but certainly did not 'miss and hit the wall' with the- so called, owners.
As in the title, I was glad I hadn't taken my dogs as they might have been embarrassed for the Retreiver as it's owners were f**king useless. I hope the farmer had a view of this and shot the owners and not the dog, although I fear the dog may have had its own problems- sad to say

[gammy leg walker]

1st off......cracking pics.


2nd..............My stomach,heaved at what happened to the poor dog & sheep.


3rd..............Like you hope the farmer shot the owners & not the dog if it survived.


4th ...........Hope you get over this encounter.

[soulminer]

I hope the dog is ok, it was yelping,but barking as well. The sheep I can't comment on.

[Johnny Corbett]

First of all great report and secondly, those photos are stunning . I know how you felt about the owners of the dog, i came across a similar situation on Conic Hill last year with a dog chasing a sheep and when i confronted the owners they couldn't give a damn .

[Collaciotach]

Some belters of photos there and grand report

My dog is a wee fecker with sheep so i muzzle and lead if their about and i 've been embarrassed a few times ... its simple sheep and dogs is generally no a good mix unless its working dogs trouble is sheep naturally flee ,dogs naturally chase its no rocket science ,trouble is the owners !

[rockhopper]

a great day despite the ending - lovely atmospheric summit shots and icicles photos - that gate can be a bit of a squeeze even with a summer bag - very enjoyable - cheers

[dogplodder]

Stunning pics on a fabulous day.... apart from the ending which makes me feel sick as it's my constant fear on the hill a sheep will suddenly appear in front of Jack when he's off lead and I know if it runs he's wired to run after it. It happened high up An Teallach when a lone black sheep bolted out in front of Jack and down the hill. He bounded after it and I blasted on the whistle. He circled round and ran back to me - but I was shaking as I knew if the farmer had been there he'd have been in his rights to shoot him. Needless to say the mutt stayed on the lead for the rest of the day!

[soulminer]

Johnny Corbett wrote:

i came across a similar situation on Conic Hill last year with a dog chasing a sheep and when i confronted the owners they couldn't give a damn .

I remember that, and another in Outside Scotland reports - with similar conseqences.

Collaciotach wrote :

trouble is sheep naturally flee, dogs naturally chase its no rocket science ,trouble is the owners !

Flight Mechanism and Prey Drive - a natural survival tool for both animals, but- as you say, the trouble is firmly with the owners. It is up to dog owners to take the precautions for prevention- as we, as responsible owners, do ! and the disinterested ignore.

Dog Plodder wrote:

He bounded after it and I blasted on the whistle. He circled round and ran back to me

Have had a similar incident on BeB, but with deer.

I would not blame any farmer for shooting a dog, even my own, that was 'worrying' sheep. It is,after all, their livelihood.
It makes no difference how the sheep are hurt, whether savaging- as witnessed, or maybe- as my collies would do, herding, any injury to livestock is not acceptable, and indeed a loss of revenue to the farmer.
However the irresponsibility of the owners should not be ignored.

[lomondwalkers]

Looked like a great day out until that sickening end Great pics of the icicles

[BigColz]

Great report! Was here today , no dogs off leads thankfully!

[bootsandpaddles]

Often people will only put their dog on a lead AFTER there has been a problem. All those people you hear screaming at their dogs when you are out walking must know from past experience that their animals don't take a blind bit of notice of them. So why not have them on a lead from the word go? It would make life a great deal more pleasant for sheep, deer and other walkers.

[soulminer]

I do agree in an area where livestock are prevelant, that dogs should be on a lead.
Having said that, I do let my Collies off the lead on mountains where there seems to be no livestock. Yesterday they were off the lead for most of the day. Near the summit one of my dogs caught a scent and followed it, had to jump down after him- a two minute detour. After clipping him up we came across a ewe and her lambs, it was their scent he had followed- they must have came up that way and he came across their scent and followed it down.He wasn't running, or bounding- just following his nose,but never bothered with the ewe and lambs when we passed them- and they didn't bother with him. That was the only 'livestock' we had seen all day on the hill, my fellow walkers never even saw the sheep.
The incident with the Retriever was actually causing a degree of stress and harm to the sheep. Also, this was low down and there were sheep scattered about the entire hillside.
At this time of year, with lambs in abundance, some common sense should be followed. It may be considered I was lacking some with my dogs off the lead near the summit of a Corbett, but I would suggest there is a slight difference in circumstances.

[DarrenJeffrey]

Good report. Have to admit I'm lucky with Zeus as he doesn't seem the least bit interested in sheep etc. One bound across in front of him on the way back down Ben Lomond and he got more of a fright than anything. He has a good recall too though, something I practised relentlessly with him as a pup so on the odd occassion something perks his interest a quick Oii normally brings him to his senses.