Walkhighlands

I spend a lot of time on WH, it's a fabulous site, but I've not had the confidence to post any walk reports before. Being as Saturday's trip was a change from my usual bog trot, I thought it was time to remedy that.

I do most of my walking solo and I'm gradually increasing my Donald Count on the (mostly) soggy, green, pathless lumps in the Galloway Hills and beyond.

However, when two work colleagues suggested a trip to Ben Donich this weekend, a quick look at the weather forecast had me digging out my walking gear and looking at a map that shows north of Glasgow for a change!!

The day dawned icy and the drive up to the Rest and Be Thankful was fairly foggy at times. We arrived about 9.30 and the car park was already chokka - I'm certainly not used to that in my usual walking haunts!!

I won't describe the route, we just followed the path up and back. It was icy in places, but nothing too difficult, and I enjoyed the novelty of some scrambly bits. The geology is just amazing. And so many people!! I think I saw more people today than in all my previous trips added together
I'm not really surprised it was so busy, it was a fantastic day - the conditions were spectacular. Inversions galore, bright sunshine but with a biting wind at the top.

My photography skills aren't great and I only have a cheap phone, but even my amateurish efforts turned out half decent today









I must say I could be converted. A path all the way, fantastic views and dry boots when I got back to the car! How civilised
Admittedly, if the conditions hadn't been so brilliant, I may not have been so quick to sing the praises of these busy, rocky little mountains, but today was a perfect introduction.


I do love the solitude of my walks further south, but I'll certainly be back to Arrochar again soon

Nice report! Lots of other good hills around Arrochar that are well worth coming back for.

Great when you conditions like this.
The inversion wasn't quite as good down in Donald country that day - cheers

jmarkb wrote:Nice report! Lots of other good hills around Arrochar that are well worth coming back for.

Thanks jmarkb - it's definitely an area I'd like to explore a bit more

rockhopper wrote:Great when you conditions like this.
The inversion wasn't quite as good down in Donald country that day - cheers

Yes, perfect conditions rockhopper. I'm glad I ventured a bit further north and I hope you enjoyed your walk too.

Wonderful report, some beautiful photos. A great part of the worl,d although Galloway is too!

Tim

HalfManHalfTitanium wrote:Wonderful report, some beautiful photos. A great part of the worl,d although Galloway is too!

Tim

Thanks Tim. I agree the south west of Scotland is lovely - and a great place to get away from it all

Well what can I say that looked like a stunning day, many more of the same can I hear you say? great photographs on a cold crispy dry day what could be better.

Glad you enjoyed it Jane - it's one of my 'local' hills and great for a short winter trip or after work on a spring evening as it's only 2 or 3 hours depending on how quick you go.
Lovely set of photos too - a crisp frosty day is perfect for an outing. All that clean fresh air

Make sure you come back and do Beinn an Lochain which is a bit longer and every bit as good as (or better) than The Cobbler and many other nearby hills in the area. In fact, it's better than many Munros!

It's a tremendous wee hill. Glad you enjoyed it.

It may be a cheap phone, but the photos it takes don't lie. Stunning!

The Rodmiester wrote:Well what can I say that looked like a stunning day, many more of the same can I hear you say? great photographs on a cold crispy dry day what could be better.

Thanks Rodmeister ~ I wonder if too much of that sort of weather would get boring after a while?

katyhills wrote:Glad you enjoyed it Jane - it's one of my 'local' hills and great for a short winter trip or after work on a spring evening as it's only 2 or 3 hours depending on how quick you go.
Lovely set of photos too - a crisp frosty day is perfect for an outing. All that clean fresh air

Make sure you come back and do Beinn an Lochain which is a bit longer and every bit as good as (or better) than The Cobbler and many other nearby hills in the area. In fact, it's better than many Munros!

I'm already planning my next visit katyhills. Thanks for the recommendation - Beinn an Lochain is high up the list

kevsbald wrote:It's a tremendous wee hill. Glad you enjoyed it.

A really enjoyable walk and the weather was the icing on the cake kevsbald

Graeme D wrote:It may be a cheap phone, but the photos it takes don't lie. Stunning!

Thanks Graeme D