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After our splendid outing to Beinns a' Chochuill and Eunaich early in the summer daughter and I were ready and eager to do loads of walking during the long summer holidays. Unfortunately that's when she tripped on the stairs at her flat and sprained her ankle so badly she was out of the game for several weeks - what a Blow!!!!
- Is it sair hen?
When the ankle finally healed the weather stepped in to frustrate our plans. Several times we were thwarted but at last about a week ago we managed Ben Ledi in rain and low cloud - never saw a thing but it was good training and certainly tested the ankle. So, on Tuesday of this week we had planned to do either Ben Lui and it's pal or Ben Cruachan but again the weather stepped in with a forecast of persistent low cloud on western hills. It was time to fall back, without enthusiasm, on our reserve of Mayar and Driesh. Off we set at 7AM from South Glasgow in low cloud, drizzle and dull spirits onto the A80 and its associated roadworks - misery - and then onto the A9. As we travelled north the weather improved but there was still cloud on any hills that we saw. "We'll get a walk in anyway" we comforted each other without confidence. Finally we arrived at the Glen Doll car park - a splendid set-up with good parking and a 24 hour toilet (a very comforting thing for a chap of my delicate vintage). There is also loads of information and advice for visitors of all abilities - excellent and well worth the £2 parking fee. The weather was looking a bit brighter now but cloud was still on the hills although there was a brighter patch of sky where the sun was trying to get through. And so off we went into the woods along a very good path.
- Let's go dad
Soon we came to the edge of the woods to a gateway into a very different world, the amazing world of Corrie Fee.
- Gateway to a different world
The stillness, the gurgling water, the purple hues of the heather, the greens of the grasses and other flora were all in marked contrast to the different shades of grey of the surrounding crags. The few spots of gentle rain falling from the darker clouds which just kissed the hill tops was offset by the one or two bright patches where the sun was battling to break through. Meanwhile the waterfall at the head of the corrie invited us on. Any feelings of depression or disappointment were confined to the emptiness of distant memory and replaced by a childlike feeling of delight together with a sense of wonder and awe. No camera could capture such a scene but here's a couple of feeble efforts anyway.
- Wow!
- Magic!
- and again
- come on dad the waterfall becons
Drawn by the waterfall we headed upwards on a beautifully prepared steep path without difficulty. Even the foxgloves and bog cotton excited us.
- Bog Cotton?
- upwards and onwards
- like a magnet
- looking back
- the promise of sunshine
When we were about level with the waterfall we heard what sounded like the cries of raptor chicks calling from their nest somewhere in the crags above us to the NW but there was no visual evidence to be seen at that time. Soon we were onto the plateau on a fainter grassy path which was still easy to follow on an easy gradient which led us directly to the summit of Mayar. A bite to eat was followed by the mandatory 'high fives' and a picture of our next target Driesh. Being unfamiliar territory to us we were unable to identify very much although Mayer presents you with a magnificent panorama.
- another one under the belt
- Driesh and the path to it
Some easy mainly level walking took us to the bealach just below Driesh and it was easy enough to gain that summit taking in good views of Corrie Kilbo on the way along with our homeward route along the flank of the Shank of Drumfollow (just had to say that!). The mandatory 'high fives' again and homeward bound.
- That's two today
- up to Driesh now
Both summits give great panoramas and although each top is somewhat lacking in character it takes nothing away from the enjoyment of the day. The path down along the Shank of Drumfollow gives excellent views of Corrie Kilbo and the woods far below.
- Corrie Kilbo
Just before entering the woods we had a final look back up the corrie at which time we spotted a large bird of prey soaring high above, too distant to identify or photograph but we both wondered if it might be a parent of the chicks we thought we heard earlier. We shall never know for sure but for certain we're we're going to say without any proof "yes it was". Then it was into the woods and back to the car.
- not far now
I had told my wife that we would be home between 5 and 6PM. She retorted that the dinner would be on the table at 6 and, if we were not home, it would be in the dog at 5 past 6. In the event we were home in time to have a quick shower and then tuck into home-made chicken and cashew nuts with egg fried rice all washed down with a couple of bottles of St Andrew's Ale. What a day - from Depression to Delight indeed!!!
PS Don't know what the dog ate but it wasn't my dinner!!
Cheers Y'all