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We were staying at the But 'n'Ben at Lower Hatton just outside of Dunkeld for three nights last weekend and after getting acquainted with the fun wee town, local landmarks, trees and a nice meal after arriving on day 1 our first agenda on day 2 was a walk up Deuchary Hill, the Marilyn just to the north of where we were.
Having pre-planned a route up it was a pleasant surprise to be starting closer to the hill than the Loch of Craiglush start point I initially had. Heather was kind enough to advise us of a path through the forest from the converted barn, through the forest to join the main track up to Rotmell Loch/Mill Dam and on to Deuchary Hill. She had also tied coloured string around a tree branch where you were to turn, nice one.
On the drive back the night before we had spotted two young deer on the track to the But'n'Ben and they made another appearance at the start of the walk:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
Perfect walking conditions, no wind, no rain, no midgies, as we walk along the track and turn left:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
We quickly reach a gate and turn left onto the small tarmac road:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
The summit of Deuchary Hill is now visible, lovely autumn golds, reds, browns and greens in full effect:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
Onwards towards the Glack Kennels:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
I spot a bird of prey and manage a few decent shots. From the size I knew it wasn't an Eagle and later investigation would reveal it to be a Buzzard from the shape and markings:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
Starting to gain some elevation, looking back to the south you can make out Newtyle Hill (L) and Birnam Hill (R) in the distance:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
In no time at all we reach Rotmell Loch/Mill Dam and with the perfectly calm conditions the water is like glass, stunning:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
With the blaze of colours all around we take the high path to the right on the way to Deuchary:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
Just under an hour gone and we take a break at the wee stone bridge, just before the path forks right for Deuchary summit and Loch Ordie, or left for the other way round:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
We head right and go towards the sub-top of Deuchary:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
A very easy and enjoyable walk so far, Dunkeld is a great place to be at this time of year with all the trees and array of colours:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
Pass an old bit of machinery...
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
...and the path takes a slight chicane
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
Just after the path turns sharply to the right, on the left is the path up to the summit:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
It's a straightforward hike up with a couple of wee steep bits:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
A couple of walkers ahead:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
The landscape looking south and east:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
Birnam Hill to the south, tomorrow's walk destination:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
the path then levels and the final mound is the summit of Deuchary Hill:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
Looking back to the Loch...
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
The path quickly takes you to the summit where a trig point and actual summit rib of rock awaits:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
Lochan na Beinne appears down the now visible north side of the summit:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
Summit feature, nice:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
The view east, clouds cover the bigger hills:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
Looking south/west, trig and summit:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
We have lunch and chat away to the Edinburgh walker and his Dad about some of the hills we've climbed and what a cracking walk Deuchary is, it was a pleasure bleathering away to them in perfect conditions at the top. The son took a few picks of me standing atop the rib of rock summit, silhouetted against the sun, as his Dad said I was like a young Mountain Goat!
After soaking in the view I take a few more photos from the top, Lochan na Beinne:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
Ben Vrackie in clouds back left and Loch Ordie down below but we'll save that for another time...
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
Looking east:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
In the distance I spot a grand looking steep Glen which would later turn out to be Glen Quaiche and we'd get to see it much closer up when we drove home a few days later and went towards it before turning south and stopping off in Crieff, which had lovely views of the Strathearn Hills and of course Ben Chonzie, looking forward to returning one day for a stay and many walks.
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
Schiehallion wasn't to make an appearance unfortunately...
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
Same with Vrackie:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
A few panoramas to finish, north:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
South:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
We had lots of options for the walk back and decided on the path off the summit to the north, past Lochan na Beinne, then left and south back to Rotmell Loch. On descending the summit rib of rocks reminds me of Cir Mhor on Arran, but much smaller and closer:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
This way...
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
Looking back at the shapely summit of Deuchary Hill from the north:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
We pass the Lochan and Ben Vrackie decides to say hello, a great walk we enjoyed from Pitlochry earlier in the year:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
Lochan na Beinne and Deuchary Hill:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
The path continues on:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
Ben Vrackie summit now free of cloud:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
Loch Ordie is visible again but we will take the path left to return to Mill Dam:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
I had a laugh on the summit with the walker we met as both of us had the same thought on the way up "who needs New England in the Autumn" which was funny although my reason for thinking about it and how colourful the forests were was probably entirely different to his, mine being a level in Road Rash on the Megadrive...
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
Where the path turns left at the golden trees:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
It's easy going the whole way on this walk:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
On the path be sure to look out for the young female Ent...
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
I'll stop going on about the colours now and let the photos do the talking:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
We pass the stone bridge and head right back onto the upper path down to Mill Dam, and the Loch is still like a sheet of glass:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
I quickly get some more shots in before a group of 5 different dogs disturbed the calm...
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
It goes without saying that we were both well chuffed at choosing this walk at this time of year on a day like this:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
The summit beyond the reflection, definitely one of the most scenic Marilyn's i've been up so far:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
We attempt a swing on the tiny rope swing but you'll not be seeing the look of anguish on my face as I clung on, that pic won't be going online...
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
Time to continue on after a most enjoyable pit-stop:
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
We end up chatting to a few more people who arrived and sat on the benches to soak in the surroundings and with the ducks now more active it's hard to pull ourselves away!
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
Yet again we were glad to be delayed as a sudden loud swooshing noise made us and the others around the loch look up to see three swans gliding in for a perfect landing on the water, amazing!
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
Bonus aerial display over, we really do continue on... Birnam Hill in the distance, see you tomorrow...
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
As we passed the large tree below and before we returned to the path in the forest next to the But'n'Ben we got chatting to the two girls with the 5 different dogs that enjoyed the loch so much as they caught up with us; a labrador, spaniel, rough terrier (Finlay), and wee sausage dog with a big dog attitude, wee Strudel!
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Chris Mac, on Flickr
We asked if they worked at the kennel but they laughed and said no, they just have 5 different dogs and everyone thinks that. When we reached the gate to our forest path the terrier Finlay shot off, possibly in pursuit of a rodent or maybe even chasing the young deer. We ran down the path shouting and whistling for him but he didn't show so we said to the girls that if he didn't turn up to try the But'n'Ben in case he found his way there and that if we found him we'd keep a hold of him for them.
I don't know if Finlay made it back to her but we assume he did as we never received a visit from them after and the local But'n'Ben resident dog Donald the Golden Retriever would have let us know if Finlay had went for his Mum's free range chickens in the back garden.
On returning from the walk we bumped into our hostess Heather and her friend and when we told them about Finlay's freedom dash the friend named all of the 5 dog breeds she had and said she knew of her!
So in summary, Deuchary Hill was a belter and is highly recommended, easy going with lots of great scenery and other hills all around to enjoy, beautiful forests and lochs, loads of wildlife, nice people and dogs, what's not to like?
More pics on
Flickr.