Walkhighlands

Ben Vrackie – 2013



My plan had been to head up Gairbeinn near Newtonmore, however when I did not get to bed till nearer 03.00AM and awoke at 08.00AM (with a sore head) I decided on something closer (read shorter and higher chance of good weather). Headed off just after ten and reached a full car park – the hill looked extremely busy with New Year hikers So I parked up at the “overflow car park “ down the road and set off.

With things being busy I decided on taking the bealach path which was quieter. Additionally I then decided to forgot the path altogether and make my own way up to the summit from the north west side of Loch a’ Choire. The first part was steep and I meandered through the crags but nothing too difficult. Higher up and the gradient eased a little. The views south over Strathtay and into the central belt were really good. I could pick out the Lomond Hills easily and am sure if I had looked long enough I might have seen Edinburgh!!! Further north and some of the hills had cloud on the tops – not too bad though

Anyway spent 5 minutes on the top where I met the first people of the day – lots of people actually ! I decided to skirt round to the Eastern top and then down from there as this would miss out the steep and slippy top section of the path. Due to the number of people coming up the way – I stayed on the grassy and heather just to the south of the path the most of the way to the lochan- actually easier walking – less slippy and easier on my old knees!!

A gentle stroll to the car and I was back home for 15.00. A good start to the year…

Brilliant video! I loved the music and the action shots. The hill looked amazing, a bit chilly in that wind but perfect to blow the hangover away. I'm always in awe at the quality of the videos produced by WH members. I could happily watch them all day. A video really captures the feel of the day and the conditions on the hill, far better than just photos or words. Keep these amazing videos coming

I concur the videos of WH members are great to watch and a good advert for the great Scottish outdoors

Great video , great photographs , great day, blue skies althoigh cold wind . One thing can I ask did I see a couple of deer running (right to left) at the far side of the loch on your video?

Oh so that's what the view from Ben Vrackie looks like! I did it before Christmas and saw absolutely nothing due to cloud and clag. (I'll get around to writing up that report eventually!). Good incentive to go back one day. It seems to be a busy hill most days.

heatheronthehills wrote:Brilliant video! I loved the music and the action shots. The hill looked amazing, a bit chilly in that wind but perfect to blow the hangover away. I'm always in awe at the quality of the videos produced by WH members. I could happily watch them all day. A video really captures the feel of the day and the conditions on the hill, far better than just photos or words. Keep these amazing videos coming

Thanks - it was windy and cold - hence the utterly ridiculous goggles !! (they do make a massif difference in those conditions though

balgonie wrote:I concur the videos of WH members are great to watch and a good advert for the great Scottish outdoors

The Rodmiester wrote:Great video , great photographs , great day, blue skies althoigh cold wind . One thing can I ask did I see a couple of deer running (right to left) at the far side of the loch on your video?

Do you mean at the end? This was actually a couple I met en route down - they were heading back via the bealach path. The speeded up footage obviously make them move quicker and the blurred effect must makes them deer like unless its another bit Ive missed
thanks for the kind comments though

chickadee wrote:Oh so that's what the view from Ben Vrackie looks like! I did it before Christmas and saw absolutely nothing due to cloud and clag. (I'll get around to writing up that report eventually!). Good incentive to go back one day. It seems to be a busy hill most days.

great views south towards the central belt for such an easily accessible and not too strenuous hill.. hope you get good weather whn you return