A afternoon and night in Breadalbane (2)

[Collaciotach]

Ella Walker was born at Old Duncroist in Glen Lochay 1905 and raised with the Gaelic tongue. Her father was from Ardeonaig, and her mother from Doire Camus in Glen Lyon and both parents were Gaelic speakers. Ella also had valuable knowledge of the history and customs of the people of Braigh na h Albainn and it was she who told that the cleared township of Tirai lies just across the burn from her birthplace , was cleared by James Wyllie,factor to the 1st Marquis of Breadalbane a cruel and evil man.

There is no record of how many of the Clann Dairmid were ethnically cleansed from this site during Fuadach nan Gaidheal . What we do know is that the significance of the fear brighe was lost with them

Fear brighe Tirai

Friday late afternoon and i was once again in Braigh na h Albainn with the intention to climb Meall Ghaoraidh and once I dragged myself away from Tirai I found her a delightful wee hill

Meall Ghaoraidh

In one and a half hours ..... bha mi air a mhullach

Mullach

We were on the roof for about an hour lazing about in the tea time sunshine grand sealltainn all round

Beinn Labhair

Gleann Lochaidh agus Creag Mhor is Sheasgairnaich

Agus air ais aig a char aig sia uairean ..... back down at the car for six and a quick switch over to Glen Lyon and pitched the car at Loch an Diamh intending to do Stuchd an Lochan & Meall Bhuidhe next morning.

however

After dinner at 8.15 pm I set off with an cu, up the track toward Meall Bhuidhe ... feasgar bragha gu dearbh it is a quick " streap "

Loch an Diamh

By 9pm I was on the druim and heading for a late evening Munro

Druim

Druim agus greine a dol sios

There was a wee gaoithe blowing from the North and good sharp atmosphere ,clear all round with the sounds of Summer in the night air as I reached the Cárn in time for sundown

Cárn

We were about 20mins on the carn taking in the atmosphere .... bha an gealach tighinn a mach agus bha I lan

Gealach

A supposedly boring hill but we found it just grand at the time of night ,back at the car for 11.45 pm for a nights sleep in the front seats .

Sia uairean anns a mhadainn .... six in the morning and off up Stuchd an Lochan another topper of a day Loch an Diamh is flat calm

Loch an diamh

A dhaithghearr bha sinn air a druim .... another quick hill on the ridge in no time with the top in sight

Stuchd an Lochan

Loch an Cat

Then on the summit for 8am on a glorious morning

Air a mhullach

So a different take on three sometimes described as boring hills we enjoyed them immensely

I m haunted by the lost people of Braigh na h Albainn and their empty homes still hold more significance for me than ersatz "british culture" which has attempted to replace our heritage here in the Ghaidhealtachd

Cha bhi fios aire math an tobair gus an tràigh e

Fuadach nan Gaidheal

[andyfitz]

A very very fine report indeed. Informative and well expressed sentiment. I have no doubt I will reflect on this when next in the area. Cheers.

[markthespark]

Brilliant views, both photographically & culturally.
A sad reflection on a period of our history when financial greed was more important than human decency.
Thanks for sharing

[kevsbald]

Not boring at all. A sense of sadness in that report.
Thanks for posting.

[rockhopper]

Very interesting and so good to see these hills in such god weather - enjoyed your WR - cheers

[Clach Liath]

I agree with the previous posts. I think it is important to understand the historical and cultural context of the hills. Good and interesting post. Thanks.

[Johnny Corbett]

Two stunning days and one stunning evening and a good call to go up Meall Bhuidhe in the evening. Another great history lesson from you as well

[Collaciotach]

Two stunning days and one stunning evening and a good call to go up Meall Bhuidhe in the evening. Another great history lesson from you as well

Cheers a bhalaich had a great time on these and could spend days in ruins tis in the blood