Friday 16/10/2015: The Sow of Atholl
Distance: 7.09 km
Ascent: 406 m
Time: 2 h
On Friday morning I was driving up to Scotland from Yorkshire for the sixth time this year, and by afternoon I was passing Blair Atholl and parking at Dalnaspidal - time for a quick ascent of The Sow.
- The Sow of Atholl from near Dalnaspidal
- The Pass of Drumochter from The Sow of Atholl
- Descending, looking to Loch Garry and Meall na Leitreach
After descending, I looked at Meall na Leitreach and realised I would probably have had time to add it. but I'd not planned for that and hadn't mentioned it to my 'responsible friend', so I went back to the car, and on to Bridge of Tilt to check in.
Saturday 17/10/2015: Beinn a' Ghlo
Distance: 21.5 km
Ascent: 1340 m
Time: 7.25 h
Saturday morning began frosty and foggy around Blair Atholl. The short uphill drive to Loch Moraig saw me climbing out of the inversion. The car park was already nearly full when I arrived before 9:00 am. Soon I was walking towards Carn Liath.
- Approaching Carn Liath
The ascent was fairly steep but nothing too difficult on a clear path. The summit was reached before too long, with views of the rest of the range opening up.
- On Carn Liath, looking back to Loch Moraig
- Leaving Carn Liath, looking on to the rest of the Beinn a' Ghlo range
The ridge ahead looked impressive as I moved over Beinn Mhaol.
- Carn nan Ghabhar and Airgiod Bheinn from Beinn Mhaol
- Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain from Beinn Mhaol
More nice views appeared as Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain was reached.
- Am Monadh Ruaidh (The Cairngorms) from Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain
The way ahead from here was clear...
- Leaving Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain for Carn nan Ghabhar and Airgiod Bheinn
...the fine weather meant that navigation via Bealach an Fhiodha presented no problems. After a bit of a climb, I reached the day's high point, Carn nan Ghabhar.
- Carn nan Ghabhar's summit from the trig point
- Ben Vrackie and the trig column from Carn nan Ghabhar's summit
To avoid any issues with deer stalking, I made the return over Airgiod Bheinn.
- Moving from Carn nan Ghabhar towards Airgiod Bheinn
This was a nice top, and gave an impressive ridge descent.
- On top of Airgiod Bheinn
- Descending from Airgiod Bheinn
After a fairly long and, in places, boggy walk out, Loch Moraig came back into view.
- Returning to Loch Moraig
I'd met a walker from Glasgow on the later stages of the route. She'd walked all the way from Blair Atholl to the first two Munros, but had run out of time before the third. So I gave her a lift back to Bridge of Tilt.
Sunday 18/10/2015: Ben Vrackie
Distance: 9.59 km
Ascent: 724 m
Time: 3.4 h
Sunday began without frost or low level fog, but the sky was cloudier. However, I could see from my hotel window that Ben Vrackie's summit was clear. I checked out, drove through Pitlochry and arrived at the well-sign posted 'Ben y Vrackie' car park near Moulin. The first stage of the walk was through attractive woodland. The trees were displaying the lovely autumn colours I'd been hoping to see.
- Ben Vrackie from the woods above Moulin
This was a most enjoyable walk on a pleasant October day.
- Approaching Loch a' Choire and Ben Vrackie
I didn't really need a rest, but spent a couple of minutes on the seat by Loch a' Choire; a beautiful spot.
- Meall na h-Aodainn Moire from Loch a' Choire
Then followed the quite steep pull up onto Ben Vrackie, with an easy, distinct path all the way. The summit had great views.
- Ben Vrackie's east ridge from the summit
- Beinn a' Ghlo from Ben Vrackie
Ben Nevis and the Glen Coe mountains were visible in the west despite the cloudiness. After leaving the summit and returning to the loch, I continued the walk via Bealach na Searmoin, a worthwhile detour on the way back towards Moulin. The final descent was very attractive.
- Descending towards Pitlochry
Within about a couple of hours, I was back in England. That was my shortest ever visit to the Highlands so far, but a very worthwhile and productive one.
It was another fantastic weekend, can we have one more please?...
- cheers 
