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After leaving Dunfermline around 7.15am, it was a bright Sunny drive up to Old Blair for our walk into Beinn Dearg. It looked like there had been a little snow overnight as Carn Liath had been dusted white. It was a chilly 3C as we got ready for the walk in the car park, a number of cars were already there as we set off up the track just after 8.30am.
With a sign up reporting that the Firing Range was in use over the weekend we chose the Glen Banvie route for our walk into the hills.
Leaving the car park we came out into a bright, Sunny morning with a slight breeze. After the brief spell on the road we headed on past the farm and cottage and on into the woods. As we passed, there were a few House Martins zooming around in the Sunshine.
Emerging from the plantation into the sunshine, under a clear blue sky and sheltered from the wind we set off up Glen Banvie along the solid path which was nice and dry underfoot. Meadow Pipits and a couple of Wheatears were flitting around the heather either side of us.
We reached the Cairn after around an hour's walking and had a brief stop for a drink, snack and to enjoy the view. A couple of other walkers passed us by as we enjoyed the Sun exchanging Hello's!
Heading off up the track a cold Northerly breeze picked up and a sprinkling of snow become more evident along the way. Not much happening as we walked along the good conditions underfoot, a few Red Grouse calling was about all the wildlife that was evident.
Our next planned stop was the Bothy, it was a welcome place for a sit down, cup of coffee and chance to rest up before the main event. Here we were joined by a couple of walkers who had cycled up behind us making very good time to the same point.
Back out on the track along the Allt Sheiceachan burn, sheltered from the breeze and with a bit of Sunshine on our backs it made for a very pleasant journey higher up the hill. A pair of Dippers joined us heading up stream. Arriving at the end of the main track, we soon hit the main climb heading up towards Meall Dubh nan Dearcag, with the path snaking up the hill we picked up height very quickly and were rewarded with some fine views looking West and South. The amount of lying snow started to increase but this did not slow us down too much. As the path flattened out we got a first close up glimpse of the summit, the Sun glistening off the snow.
There was a bit of boggy, wet ground to navigate around before the ascent to the first top where the vegetation was replaced by scree and rock. A bemused Ptarmigan watched us trudge past with our heads down as we made the final assault on the Cairn.
Our arrival at the Cairn was greeted by a fine Panorama all around, a clear view over to the Cairngorms with Braeriach showing well, in the West Schiehallion stood out and looking South as far down to the Lomond Hills overlooking Loch Leven. Finding a sheltered spot to enjoy a bite to eat, we toasted our achievement with some Glenlivet 12 yo from Donald's hipflask.
After a pleasant stop on the top we started the long walk back down to Old Blair, retracing our steps and still enjoying the dry, Sunny conditions. The leg down to the Bothy was quick and easy where we had a quick break before the long walk back down the main track to the car park. It's amazing how easily you forget the walk in, the path seemed much longer on our return as our legs and feet became more tired. We finally returned to the Car Park at 7.30pm, tired but exhilarated by our first Munro of the year. We were also sporting some rather red faces after a day in the Sun and wind on the way up the hill.
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- An easy, chilly start through the woods
