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A couple of Ochils

PostPosted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 1:12 pm
by Sarah86
I am normally out walking every day with the dog but not that the weather has gotten a bit milder and I am trying to get my fitness up again I have been trying to go a couple of walks in the ochils each week seeing as they are on my door step. We have been to Dollar Glen and Bank Hill, Dumyat (twice) , Alva Glen and Glenque Reservoir. I am lucky that I finish work at 3 so can get home fairly quickly and set off.

I parked at the bottom car park and enjoyed the always pleasant walk up the glen.
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Once we reached Castle Campbell I decided to continue on to bank hill seeing as Penny had a spring in her step. It is not a long walk to the summit but gives a good little work out and for a small hill you get wonderful views. From the exit of the glen I followed the path that is further to the right which sets off uphill and again through some trees. Once the top of the path is reached it is clear to see the path to Bank Hill

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A pose at the summit
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She then decided to run a couple of laps round the cairn
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Wonderful views to be had
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I ended up going down a different path to the ascent which was a bit steeper and although it had been a beautiful afternoon a dark cloud was looming and it started to drizzle

Another pose, Saddle Hill and Whitewisp in the background
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The sun was still shining to the east giving a lovely view of Castle Campbell
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Rain coming in from the west
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Luckily the rain never came to much and I was even treated to a rainbow
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The Castle grounds showing the signs of spring
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This was a perfect way to spend a couple of ours after work. I do find walks like these more enjoyable during the week as there is less people around.

Last week we had more sunshine (shock!!) so we headed up Dumyat from the Sheriffmuir Road... after two years of driving I have only just started driving this road :lol: Even though a week day when the sun shines Dumyat is always a popular stop off for plenty of people.

I decided just to head to the lower summit and enjoy sitting alone for a bit as there is still decent views to be had. Although it was sunny it was a little windy on top so I didn't wait around too long.

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I think of all the Ochils Dumyat gives the best views to the River Forth
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Another summit pose
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The sun had started to set on our route down
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A beautiful spring evening to be out
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Always on the look out
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Sunset and Ben Lomond
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On route home I spotted a beautiful sunset so stopped off in a layby near the Both at Manor Powis.
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Re: A couple of Ochils

PostPosted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 2:50 pm
by jupe1407
Cracking photos Sarah, especially the sunset images. Nice one :clap:

Re: A couple of Ochils

PostPosted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 6:37 pm
by RicKamila
Lovely report and some ace photos!! Well done Sarah.

Re: A couple of Ochils

PostPosted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 9:07 pm
by seasgaich99
You've done well with those splendid images, Sarah.

My first of 2 visits to Dumyat included a thorough clean-up of the summit cairn. My pal thought I had lost the plot, but the inane reality was, as usual with such rubbish, that the 2 full bags carried down were only a fraction of the weight originally lugged up there on however many separate trips.

Great views are to be had from that summit. :wink:

Re: A couple of Ochils

PostPosted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 10:09 pm
by Graeme D
The summit of Dumyat (if you have it more or less to yourself) at sunset is truly a fantastic place. Quite electric actually. Your pictures capture it perfectly. :D :clap:

Re: A couple of Ochils

PostPosted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 11:18 pm
by ChrisW
Lovely shots of a wonderful wee wander Sarah, some of those shots of penny compete with the landscape for excellence and the one of her circling the cairn is just fantastic, really catches the mood :clap:

Re: A couple of Ochils

PostPosted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 1:07 pm
by Sarah86
Thanks, it has been great to get out and about on the hills again as January/February have been quiet months for me. I'd love to be on the summit of Dumyat with the cairn and trig at a sunset but I think it would be difficult to be there alone and when I do go prepared there is never a sunset :lol:

I didn't see too much rubbish when I was up but come the summer there will be wrappers everywhere no doubt.

I was surprised at her having a spin around the cairn as she will be 11 in June so thought the hill walk was enough. She then had another two runs on the route down lol

Re: A couple of Ochils

PostPosted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 1:45 pm
by tweedledog
Good to see Penny enjoying the first signs of spring; looking nowhere near 11. Daren't show the pictures to The Whippet. He's 9 and not looking as fit as that...

Re: A couple of Ochils

PostPosted: Tue Mar 25, 2014 2:47 pm
by Sarah86
tweedledog wrote:Good to see Penny enjoying the first signs of spring; looking nowhere near 11. Daren't show the pictures to The Whippet. He's 9 and not looking as fit as that...


Thank you :) I have seen photos of your whippet and he looks in fine shape. She is getting to the age where some days I can hardly keep up with her going up hill and some days she isn't to keen so I just make the most of the days she is full of energy. Was great to see her charge around at the top of the hill.

Re: A couple of Ochils

PostPosted: Tue Mar 25, 2014 3:03 pm
by The Rodmiester
Hi Sarah86, I have still to do this hill, and hope to save it for a day such like you had, clear views. Does Penny not take a great photograph or what, looks a lovely dog. Glad you had fine day, and some fabulous photographs to boot. :)