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Not one of those stunning clear blue days of the last week, but sunny spells, cloudy to the west and WARM! From Birnam Quarry carpark, I followed the clearly signed track up through the woods. Occasional tantalising views through gaps in the trees, and so much to revel in - the gold birch leaves on the track, bright yellow fungi, scarlet rowan berries. Beautiful autumn. Above the trees, geese were calling on their way south, and the call of a raven somewhere overhead reminded me of days walking with George and I would hear ravens - he never did, and the calls always stopped when we halted. Yes - it was his boots.
My reminiscing was halted by the sharp black and white of a great spotted woodpecker flying across the track in front of me. The rattle of a wren came from low in the undergrowth while coal tits squeaked high up in the larches. The thin winter song of a robin accompanied me up the final slopes.
Yes the wooden steps may seem overkill - I used to be very 'anti' man-made paths, but, over 30 years of hillwalking, having seen so many badly eroded paths - gullies, wide destruction around peat areas, 'multi-laned' footpaths on difficult ground, I would now rather see a few steps or a well-placed piece of boardwalk. Also in my early days of walking I would be affronted to see anyone on the same hill as me that day - now I'm pleased that others get as much pleasure walking the hills.
- North indicator - for BIG hills - for another day!
The obligatory photo on the summit, a chat with two young girls (one clearly delighted and relieved to be at the cairn) and then down through some of Perthshire's stunning woodlands. Through massive granny pines with mossy bog between - I expected to see wolves or a moose watching me. Where the path crossed the soft peat, mountain bikes had slashed deep trenches - and this in the driest September for years. Dropping down to the oakwoods, two jays were shrieking about something, but I couldn't work out what.
Finally walking back on the trail parallel to the A9, the woodlands are a reminder of the great estates. Yes there are sycamore and some scrub - but in between there are some magnificent conifers, at least one giant redwood and glorious beech trees, one of the latter pelting me with ripe beech nuts as I walked beneath.
A most enjoyable circular walk. Perhaps the knee(s) would have appreciated an anti-clockwise walk (steeper ascent and gentler descent) - but it was just glorious to be on a hill.