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Am Meallan - Viewpoint Trail...........Am Willing!!

Am Meallan - Viewpoint Trail...........Am Willing!!


Postby SusieThePensioner » Thu Oct 03, 2013 10:30 pm

Route description: River Affric and Am Meallan, Glen Affric

Date walked: 30/09/2013

Time taken: 1 hours

Distance: 0.5 km

Ascent: 41m

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Well, it's holiday time again with two weeks in Scotland as usual :D Walks planned for Jeff and pottering for me :lol:
For those who are wondering why I'm posting a walk report for half a kilometre, I'm ambulant disabled and can't venture too far :roll:
Anyway, to the job in hand, and my report from Glen Affric. The weather was fantastic and so Jeff set off on the walk around Loch Affric whilst I tackled the climb up to the Am Meallan Viewpoint. The Forestry Commission leaflet stated that the walk would take about 20 minutes :lol: It took just over that for me to reach the top :shock:
The path started opposite the River Affric car park with a series of steps amongst the trees which, taken carefully, seemed promising.
wh1.jpg


There was plenty to see with different species of trees and flora including lots of toadstools :D
wh2.jpg


The path started winding uphill more steeply and I had a choice of left or right? Okay, left won as that seemed the natural way to go and, as the trail was a loop, I would be able to come back down the other way!
wh3.jpg


The path narrowed in places with a steep drop on my left and I felt a bit wobbly as there wasn't quite enough room to walk safely with my sticks at my side :( Still, I couldn't turn round so had to plod on towards the next set of steps. Eventually, after what seemed ages, I reached the viewpoint which also commemorates the forestry workers who have helped to re-establish the native trees in Glen Affric.
wh5.jpg


The sun was shining and it was just beautiful with wonderful views all round :D
wh6.jpg

wh8.jpg

wh9.jpg


I've previously seen "classic" photos taken from the viewpoint looking west and this was what had spurred me on. I spent nearly an hour taking photos from different locations on the top as well as just sitting in the sun. It was such a privilege being amongst all that wonderful scenery and, I saw nobody the whole time I was there :D
wh91.jpg


I reluctantly set off again and wasn't looking forward to going down as that is far worse for me than up :( I told myself I had plenty of time and took it slowly and carefully. There was one tricky moment when one of my sticks slipped on some moss and I nearly lurched forward :shock: I took stock of the next part of the path by taking a photo of some more toadstools :lol:
wh92.jpg


There was then a steep section and awkward steps to negotiate before I eventually could see the cars in the car park shining in the sun through the trees.
wh93.jpg


At last I was going down the last few steps and across the road to the car. Yes, this is an easy walk for most people who wouldn't think twice about "nipping up" to the viewpoint. However, for me, it was a great sense of achievement, especially as I always feel somewhat vulnerable on my own with such a lack of mobility :D

And one more of that fantastic view :lol:
wh95.jpg
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Re: Am Meallan - Viewpoint Trail...........Am Willing!!

Postby mountainstar » Thu Oct 03, 2013 10:42 pm

Fabulous picture Susie, well worth the effort :clap:
Hope the rest of your holiday has weather like that! :D
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Re: Am Meallan - Viewpoint Trail...........Am Willing!!

Postby scoob999 » Thu Oct 03, 2013 11:04 pm

Well done Susie, lovely photos 8)
Glen Affric is a stunning place, Cant wait to go back :D
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Re: Am Meallan - Viewpoint Trail...........Am Willing!!

Postby rockhopper » Thu Oct 03, 2013 11:12 pm

great colours in your shots :thumbup: well done - autumn makes such a difference to the greens of summer - cheers :)
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Re: Am Meallan - Viewpoint Trail...........Am Willing!!

Postby IreneM » Fri Oct 04, 2013 1:09 pm

Well done Susie! :clap: :clap: :clap:

Your photos show what a magical place Glen Affric is!
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Re: Am Meallan - Viewpoint Trail...........Am Willing!!

Postby MarilynMunro » Fri Oct 04, 2013 1:32 pm

Well Sue, a stunning set of pics for an area I ve yet to visit. I'm so pleased that you overcome that challenge to get upto the viewpoint and so obviously enjoy yourself, although I shouldn't be so surprised by your determination :wink:
I really like the last photo, verrrrrry nice
As always you do a cracking job for the tourist board, hope you have a wonderful time up there.
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Re: Am Meallan - Viewpoint Trail...........Am Willing!!

Postby SusieThePensioner » Fri Oct 04, 2013 6:07 pm

MarilynMunro wrote:although I shouldn't be so surprised by your determination
:lol: :lol:

Thanks for your comments, Jim, I'll ask for some commission from the tourist board! :D

rockhopper wrote:great colours in your shots well done - autumn makes such a difference to the greens of summer - cheers
Thank you! The bracken has turned in lots of places with some stunning colours but most of the trees will be a few weeks later :D

IreneM wrote:Well done Susie!

Your photos show what a magical place Glen Affric is!
Thank you, Irene :D

scoob999 wrote:Well done Susie, lovely photos
Glen Affric is a stunning place, Cant wait to go back
Thank you, Stuart, I loved it but the weather really helped :D

mountainstar wrote:Fabulous picture Susie, well worth the effort
Hope the rest of your holiday has weather like that!
Thanks, Alan, I'm hoping so :D
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Re: Am Meallan - Viewpoint Trail...........Am Willing!!

Postby jonny616 » Fri Oct 04, 2013 6:27 pm

Glad you got out and about before the traditional Scottish holiday weather arrived.

Great photos.
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Re: Am Meallan - Viewpoint Trail...........Am Willing!!

Postby gammy leg walker » Fri Oct 04, 2013 7:54 pm

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: .

Susie rules,brilliant pictures as always.
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Re: Am Meallan - Viewpoint Trail...........Am Willing!!

Postby dogplodder » Fri Oct 04, 2013 9:13 pm

Wow Susie your photos are amazing! You were brave tackling those steps on you own and I'm with you about going down being worse. :shock: But I'm sure you felt the effort paid off with those views on such a beautiful autumn day. :D
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Re: Am Meallan - Viewpoint Trail...........Am Willing!!

Postby Sarah86 » Fri Oct 04, 2013 10:08 pm

Absolutely stunning photos, so nice that I would love to go there right now! What stunning views, you had the perfect weather for it. Enjoy the rest of your holiday.
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Re: Am Meallan - Viewpoint Trail...........Am Willing!!

Postby SusieThePensioner » Fri Oct 04, 2013 10:17 pm

Sarah86 wrote:Absolutely stunning photos, so nice that I would love to go there right now! What stunning views, you had the perfect weather for it. Enjoy the rest of your holiday.
Thank you, it was a fabulous day :D

dogplodder wrote:Wow Susie your photos are amazing! You were brave tackling those steps on you own and I'm with you about going down being worse. But I'm sure you felt the effort paid off with those views on such a beautiful autumn day.
Thank you, it was certainly worth it! :D

gammy leg walker wrote::clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: .

Susie rules,brilliant pictures as always.
Thank you Willie :D

jonny616 wrote:Glad you got out and about before the traditional Scottish holiday weather arrived.

Great photos.
Thanks jonny, think the weather is about to change :lol:
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Re: Am Meallan - Viewpoint Trail...........Am Willing!!

Postby Johnny Corbett » Sat Oct 05, 2013 7:45 pm

Those pictures are superb, wonderful scenery. :D
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Re: Am Meallan - Viewpoint Trail...........Am Willing!!

Postby denfinella » Sun Oct 06, 2013 9:47 pm

You shouldn't ever need an excuse for posting walk reports about short routes - less distance makes walks no less valid or appealing!

I'm very grateful you posted this Susie - it wasn't on my never-ending to-do list before, but it certainly is now. The views look amazing - although your photography skills probably help with that. (I bet I'll visit and there'll be heavy rain and thick fog... :lol: )
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Re: Am Meallan - Viewpoint Trail...........Am Willing!!

Postby johnkaysleftleg » Mon Oct 07, 2013 8:32 am

Missed this one Susie, hope you had a great time on holiday. I'm yet to visit Glen Afric but your pics really do show what I'm missing. Well done on making your way around :clap:
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