free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
I love getting to know the place where I live. It was a gorgeous day today, so I went for a walk on nearby Ben Gullipen. As I live in Callander, it's only half a mile walk to the start of the walk. Lucky me!
The route is quite nice, comprises a long and -near the top- quite steep ascent. No climbing though. The path leads through Forestry Commission forest and through West Carchonzie farm, a local organic cattle farm.
From the top, you really have excellent views all around on a sunny day like today (albeit a bit hazy).
Toward the south, you can see Stirling, the Wallace Monument and far beyond. I think you can see as far as Grangemouth. (Will include a photo next time I do this walk).
To the West, you can see (at your feet) Loch Venachar and slightly further away Loch Achray and (graham) Ben Venue (left) and Ben A'an (right). Funny to think I was up at Ben Venue only last week and looked down upon Ben Gullipen with amazement. It seemed such a wee bump in the landscape
To the north and at your feet Loch Venachar, with (corbett) Ben Ledi (left in the photo, top not visible) and in the distance to the right Loch Lubnaig and (in the right corner) Munroes Stuc a'Chroin and Ben Vorlich.
At your feet, you can see the dam which controls the water flow from Loch Venachar into the river Teith which runs through Callander. The water levels are extremely low at the moment because of the lack of rain this spring.
To the East lies small tourist town Callander and to the south east the Breas of Doune (much hated local windfarm).
After half an hour lunch break, during which I pulled on layer after layer because of the chilly wind, I walked back down. Instead of taking the same route home, I called my hubby and invited him for a drink in the Lake of Menteith Hotel... well, if he picked me up at the road side first... He agreed gracefully. They serve an excellent beer there
